In a Nutshell…

Doris’s New Home is the children’s companion to Nothing Really Bad Will Happen, reimagining the true story for younger readers. When Doris and her mother flee 1938 Vienna to escape the rising threat of the Nazis, she must face a strange new country. With warmth and honesty, this picture book introduces children to themes of courage, loss, and starting over.

The Story Behind the Pages

Doris’s New Home is the children’s version of my novel Nothing Really Bad Will Happen, which tells the true story of my mother’s escape from Nazi-occupied Vienna. The idea for this book began when my six-year-old grandson, Logan, asked for an illustrated version of the story that he could read. I wrote it with him—and children like him—in mind. Rooted in real events, this book offers young readers a gentle introduction to a difficult time in history, framed with love, resilience, and hope.