As the proud mother of a US Marine Corps Reservist, Karen brings her deep personal connections and understanding of military life to her writing. She remembers her concerns when her son was serving on active duty in Fallujah, praying for his safety, and being so thankful when he finally returned home and cut the yellow ribbon off the tree in the front yard.
.jpg)
About the Author
MEET KAREN
Karen's Girl Scout sash from childhood with all the badges she earned!
For most of her childhood, Karen was involved in scouting. She developed a deep respect for our country and fellow humans, learned the importance of kindness, and learned always to be prepared! She participated in a flag retirement ceremony with her troop as a child. This experience impacted her emotionally and motivated her to write The Worn-Out Flag.
​
Her experiences as a retired elementary teacher and her love for working with children have enriched her storytelling, making her debut book a poignant, educational, and memorable experience for young readers and their families.
Karen holds a master's degree in advanced teaching and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In addition to her Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential, she holds a Cross-cultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) certificate. She taught in a low-income school in Los Angeles County, where many students had limited English skills.
​
Now retired, Karen has moved to the Pacific Northwest to be near her grandchildren. She loves reading to them and walking through the forest surrounding her home.
​
Karen is actively involved in Bible Studies at her church and is blessed with many friends.
Interview Questions
-
How did your background influence the narrative of The Worn-Out Flag?My Scouting experience and being the mother of a Marine profoundly influenced this story. My goal was to share my respect and patriotism toward the flag and the sacrifices made by military families.
-
Beyond educating about flag retirement, what do you hope readers take away from your book?I hope young and old readers come away with a newfound respect for the American flag and what it represents – especially the ideals of service, sacrifice, and national unity. It’s about instilling a sense of duty and respect for those who serve our country.
-
Do you plan to write more books?I plan to write a series of children’s mystery chapter books set in various countries worldwide. I have been blessed to have traveled to 16 countries, and I would like to incorporate the different countries’ beauty and uniqueness into exciting mysteries related to the individual country’s traditions. I have also been to 48 of the 50 United States, so perhaps I will write mysteries about the various highlights from the individual states. These books will be for ages 6-9.
-
Why did you write this book?Most people don’t know what to do with their worn-out flags. My goal is to teach them the proper way to retire a flag. Children’s books make learning more exciting and profound than just looking up facts online. Hopefully, this book can also ignite more patriotism in the hearts of fellow Americans.