Cynsations is celebrating its 20th anniversary by switching to a quarterly publishing schedule, featuring in-depth interviews and articles. Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

By AJ Eversole

Today we are hearing from Stacy Wells (Choctaw) about her new chapter book series, Tana Cooks, illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama (Capstone, 2024). From the publisher’s website:

Tana Williams loves to be in the kitchen creating wonderful foods for her friends and family. Alongside her chef dad, Tana uses cooking to learn more about her Choctaw culture, to show others she cares, and to simply have fun! Read about Tana’s kitchen adventures, then use the recipes shared in the back of the book to have kitchen adventures of your own.

Tell us about the inspiration behind Tana.

When I was approached with the idea of a girl whose passion for food—both in preparing and sharing it—becoming her way of overcoming life’s challenges, I was a bit hesitant. After all, my own kitchen skills don’t extend much beyond using a microwave.

Then I thought of my ancestors. For Choctaw people food had been a traditional way of life woven through the seasons, shaping how we harvested and hunted, and how we prepared food and shared with others. As writers do, I asked myself a series of questions. The most important, could I respectfully use that knowledge in a series of books for young readers?

Tana came quietly one morning, infused with the heart of our people—passionate and empathetic, and a problem solver ready to step in and help. The story would center on her and her best friends, eager to grow and learn as they navigate the challenges of second grade. Tana’s relationship with her dad would serve as the backbone, together they would weave story and food as they prepared meals for their family. Her mom and little sister, would add spice and flavor, completing the family of four.

How did you come to be a writer?

I came to writing, like I did all things in my life, in a meandering way. And very unplanned. As a child I had several career paths picked out—teacher, nature photographer, and FBI agent. At one point in college, I thought to get a master’s in marketing statistics. However, through a series of odd jobs and lots of “no’s” I ended up getting a master’s degree in library science. Eventually, landing the best job ever as a youth librarian.

Two things held true though my years of meandering, my love of reading and oral family stories. Writing came later when I began to think beyond the consumption of story. and the power they have to challenge perspectives (and narratives) and change hearts. Stories had done that for me, could I do the same? Did I have stories in me worth sharing?

Once I found the courage to say yes to myself, writing for children was never a question. More a natural extension of my heart for service and my passion to spread joy even when things are hard. What better age market is there than children who are curious about the world around them and whose curiosity matches my own.

We Choctaws have an unofficial saying: “They will know we are Choctaws by our heart.” My writing honors myself, my ancestors, and those I love. May you know my heart through the stories I share.

What’s next for you?

Four more Tana books are coming, two in 2025 and two more in 2026. As well, I have two pictures’ books I’m super excited about.

First is Stronger Than, co-written with Nikki Grimes and Illustrated by E.B. Lewis. This book follows a Black Choctaw boy who struggles with nightmares but finds strength in the example and history of his ancestors. It’s coming in 2026 from Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Next is Issi’s Gift, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw). When Issi, a Choctaw girl, and her mother take a train to visit her grandmother, Issi asks questions about land ownership as her gift for Pokni embodies playful mischief in the train car. It releases in 2027, also from Heartdrum.

Cynsational Notes:

Stacy Wells is a member of the Choctaw Nation, and a children’s librarian.

When not reading or writing (or recommending books), she lives life to the fullest in North Texas with her family, which includes a red dog named Blu and two very adorable but very mischievous ferrets. She is the author of the Tana Cooks series and two forthcoming titles from Heartdrum.

AJ Eversole covers children’s-YA writing, illustration, publishing, and other book news from Indigenous authors and illustrators for Cynsations. She grew up in rural Oklahoma, a place removed from city life and full of opportunities to nurture the imagination. She is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and writes primarily young adult fiction. AJ currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas; with her family. Follow her on Instagram & Threads @ajeversole.