A celebrated author brings wonder back to children’s storytelling in a digital-first world.
When theidea for Moonlight and Wishes first arrived, it did not come with loud fanfare or industry hype. It appeared quietly, like moonlight itself, born from a belief that children deserve stories that spark wonder—not just distraction. In an era when screens often capture more attention than starlight, Randi Woodward Larsen set out to create something different: a picture book that restores the timeless gift of imagination.
Her journey was not a straight path to bestseller lists or awards. Like many creators, Larsen wrestled with self-doubt: Will this resonate? Will children care about something so simple, so wondrous? But her belief in a story about wishes, vulnerability, and courage transformed her into one of today’s most respected children’s authors and the founder of RandiStories.
A Mission Written in Moonlight
Larsen’s conviction is simple yet powerful: imagination is not a luxury for children, but a lifeline. This belief shaped her vision for Moonlight and Wishes. Drawing on her background as a former Disneyland tour guide and professional storyteller of fairytales, folktales, myths, and legends, she knew the importance of storytelling to nurture creativity and imagination. She had shared stories around the Globe to places like Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, and Canada, working with major corporations like I.T. Hartford, Apple, and Kentucky Fried Chicken to inspire both children and adults to embrace their imagination.
With a B.S. in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine, along with postgraduate certifications in Dream Coaching and Spiritual Direction, Larsen’s diverse education and career experiences further fueled her passion for storytelling. “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” as Einstein once said, resonated deeply with her. In today’s world, where toddlers swipe screens before they can hold pencils, she saw both a challenge and an opportunity. What if a book could give children permission to dream, to wonder, to ask where wishes go when whispered to the night sky?
From that vision came Moonlight and Wishes, a modern-day fable that gently answers questions children may not even know they can ask: Where do wishes live? What role does the moon play in listening to our hopes? And what does it take to see a wish through? The story shows children ages four to eight that courage, vulnerability, and perseverance are as magical as the starry sky.
The Weight of a First Step
Publishing a children’s book is no small feat. Larsen could have given in to self-doubt, but she remembered a guiding phrase: “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.” With that resolve, she moved forward.
Her book quickly stood apart in the market. Moonlight and Wishes earned the Gold Mom’s Choice Award, a distinction given to works that meet high standards of family-friendly media. It also received a five-star review from Readers’ Favorite, placing Larsen among respected contemporary authors. Yet accolades were not the heart of her mission. For Larsen, her mission was to inspire children to believe in their dreams, and Moonlight and Wishes accomplishes that. Every copy purchased supports the Make-A-Wish Orange County & The Inland Empire Foundation (OCIE), her local chapter, whose mission it is to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Make-A-Wish believes that “a wish can be that spark that helps these children believe that anything is possible and gives them the strength to fight harder against their illnesses.” With Moonlight and Wishes aligning with this mission, becomes a story of hope tied to a real-world cause that changes children’s lives.
A Turning Point of Recognition
The turning point came when Moonlight and Wishes reached readers beyond its early audience. Parents, educators, and reviewers began to echo what Larsen herself had believed: imagination matters now more than ever. The feedback wasn’t just about vibrant illustrations but about the book’s ability to linger in a child’s mind long after the last page was turned. In a culture shaped by instant gratification, Larsen had created something enduring.
Publications such as SD Voyager and Cross Roads Magazine began to highlight her journey. In these features, Larsen shared her path as what she describes as an “accidental author”—a creator driven by curiosity, bravery, and resilience. Through her storytelling, she sought to inspire the very imagination that had driven her own diverse career as a storyteller for children and adults alike.
What Makes RandiStories Unique
Every author has a voice, but Larsen’s stands out because of what it refuses to do. She does not write to entertain children with noise or distract them with gimmicks. Instead, she writes to invite them into a place of wonder. Her book serves as a gentle response to the early exposure many children have to technology. Where others create fast, flashy content, Larsen insists on slower, deeper storytelling.
Her work carries the spirit of A.A. Milne’s words in Winnie the Pooh:
“You are braver than you believe,
Smarter than you think,
Stronger than you seem,
And loved more than you know.”
This spirit infuses Moonlight and Wishes, reminding children that courage and love are part of every wish made under the stars.
The Human Side of an Author
Behind the awards, Randi Woodward Larsen remains a storyteller grounded in her humanity. She often shares another favorite quote: “You have got three choices in life: Give up, give in, or give it all you’ve got.” For her, the choice was clear.
Readers feel that commitment. Parents describe how their children reach for the book at bedtime, how its rhythm sparks questions about stars, wishes, and bravery. Educators note its ability to inspire conversations about emotions and resilience. And children themselves ask for it again and again. This connection is no accident. Larsen writes not from formula but from her own sense of wonder. That authenticity makes RandiStories more than a brand—it makes it a movement toward rekindling childhood awe.
Rediscover Wonder
In an age when electronics compete for children’s every moment, Randi Woodward Larsen offers an alternative. Moonlight and Wishes is more than a book. It is a bridge back to imagination, back to awe, and back to the belief that even the smallest wish can shape the Moon.
Parents, educators, and dreamers are invited to step into that world. Whether purchased from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, each copy of Moonlight and Wishes supports both imagination and the life-changing work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation OCIE.
To explore more about RandiStories, visit randistories.com. Updates and inspiration are also shared on Instagram and Facebook. Reviews and features are available through Readers’ Favorite and SD Voyager.
