Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.
Recently, we interviewed Donna K. about her writing and recently released book, The Magical Beach Tree, a sweet coastal Christmas tale with an unusual setting and an inviting sense of wonder (Read the review here).
Donna K. has spent more than thirty years on the coast of Maine, where the shoreline, the seagrass, and the changing seasons inspired this story. She and her family treasure their years in Goose Rocks.
Her dog Finn is the real-life inspiration for Hildi’s faithful companion, and The Magical Beach Tree is her first children’s book.
What inspired you to turn the real beach tree tradition into a children’s story?
I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book, and when I watched one small, discarded tree bring an entire community together, I knew I’d found my story. It had everything a children’s book needs: kindness, a little mystery, a dramatic storm, and a happy ending that really happened.
How did you create the character of Hildi, and what qualities did you want her to have?
Hildi is fictional, but she was inspired by a wonderful person who lived next door to me. For Hildi and her brother, I drew on my own two children. I wanted Hildi to be curious and kind, the kind of child who sees something others might pass by and imagines what it could become.
Why did you choose the Maine coast as such an important part of the story?
Because that’s where the real beach tree lives during the holiday season. The Maine coast isn’t just the setting; it’s part of the story. The shells, sand dollars, driftwood, and lobster rope that decorate the tree all come from that beach.
What do you hope young readers will take away from Hildi’s adventure?
I hope they discover that simplicity, nature, and the beautiful things all around us can be anchors in everyday life. You don’t need to buy something to make something magical; sometimes the best treasures are waiting right outside your door.
How did you decide which real-life details to keep and where to add a touch of magic?
Most of the real-life details made it into the book: the discarded tree, the beach treasures, the neighbors adding ornaments, the painted-rock presents, the storm, and the tree’s return. The touch of magic is in the glowing roots, my way of saying the tree truly found its home.
Which part of The Magical Beach Tree was the most fun for you to write?
The storm that swept the tree away, and the moment it came back to us. And yes, that part is true: when we found the tree in the sea grass weeks later, its solar lights were still blinking.
What makes the real beach tree tradition so special to you personally?
Watching people come by to celebrate it, taking pictures and adding their own treasures. And the tree is never the same twice: the sun and moon change how it looks depending on the time of day.
What was it like working with illustrator Olha Tkachenko to bring the beach, tree, and characters to life?
Olha is amazing and so very talented. She captured the light of the Maine coast in winter, the snow on the sand, and the glow of the tree in a way that feels like stepping right onto the beach.
Why was it important to include the author’s note and photograph of the real beach tree at the end of the book?
Because it’s a true story, and I wanted readers to know that. The photograph brings it to life. Children love discovering that the magic they just read about really happened.
Do you have plans to write more children’s books inspired by real places, traditions, or experiences?
Yes! I’d love to write another book, and I already have a few ideas.
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