Finding Magic in Motherhood: How One Woman’s Journey Led to “The Magic Crystal”
An interview with children’s book author Billie Moon
“I wanted to teach my daughter that life is a game, and she is the one holding the controller.”
These words from children’s book author Billie Moon stopped me in my tracks. As a mom of two, I’m constantly searching for ways to empower my children, to help them understand that their choices matter, and that courage isn’t the absence of fear but moving forward despite it.
The Birth of a Magical Adventure
Recently, I had the privilege of learning about the story behind “The Magic Crystal: A Magical Adventure That Prepares Young Minds for the World,” a new interactive children’s book designed for readers ages 6-9 (though Billie confesses it’s secretly for curious grown-ups too).
What struck me most about my conversation with Billie wasn’t just her book, but the powerful motherhood journey that inspired it.
“Growing up, I was often too scared to try, afraid of failing,” Billie shared. “I didn’t have anyone to tell me that I could do anything I put my mind to. I learned to play it safe.”
How many of us moms can relate to that? I know I can. The fear of failure that keeps us playing small, the what-ifs that hold us back from stepping into our potential.
But then Billie became a mother, and everything changed.
“I made it my mission to raise my daughter to be bold, curious, and unafraid to dream,” she explained. “I wanted her to know that it’s okay to take risks, make mistakes, and learn along the way.”
More Than Just a Book
“The Magic Crystal” isn’t your typical children’s book. It’s an interactive, choice-driven adventure where kids become the hero, navigating nine immersive realms with eight different possible endings. Each path builds decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
As a mom who’s always searching for books that engage my children beyond passive reading, this immediately caught my attention. The protagonist, inspired by Billie’s daughter with her long hair, bangs, and pink dress, invites young readers to feel like they’re living the story, not just reading it.
The first-person perspective was an intentional choice to help children immerse themselves in the adventure. And the hand-painted watercolor illustrations? They’re stunning and bring the story to life in a way that captivates visual learners.
A Mother’s Courage to Create
Perhaps the most inspiring part of Billie’s story is how she created this book. After 20 years in design, she left her career to pursue something more meaningful—a decision that required immense courage.
“I wanted to be a role model for my daughter,” she said. “Not just in words, but in action. I wanted to leave behind something she could hold onto long after I’m gone.”
Despite having ADHD (which makes reading challenging when “the words won’t stay still on the page”), despite not knowing how to illustrate, despite every self-doubt that whispered she wasn’t good enough, Billie persevered.
“I did what I once thought was impossible,” she revealed. “I planned an entire branching storyline. I mapped out every choice, every consequence, every ending. I taught myself how to illustrate, even though I was terrified.”
This part of our conversation brought tears to my eyes. How often do we let our perceived limitations stop us from creating something beautiful for our children?
The Surprising Truth Behind the Illustrations
When I asked what might surprise readers about being a children’s book author, Billie’s answer stunned me.
“Most people assume that if you write and illustrate a children’s book, you’ve been drawing your whole life. But the truth is, I genuinely couldn’t draw before I started The Magic Crystal.”
She explained how perfectionism had paralyzed her creativity. When she began creating the book, she nearly outsourced the illustrations. She even had the email drafted and ready to send. But something stopped her.
“This book was for my daughter, and if I wanted to show her what courage really looks like, I had to model it through action. I had to do it scared.”
So instead of outsourcing, she experimented and created her own style using layered digital watercolors and collage-style cut-outs. The result? Illustrations that are “perfectly imperfect”—whimsical, textured, and completely unique.
What a powerful lesson for our children: you don’t have to be perfect to create something beautiful. You just need to begin.
Books That Shape Us
Our conversation naturally turned to the books that influenced Billie’s childhood. She mentioned “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which taught her that “your mindset is your superpower,” and “Tales of Betsy-May” by Enid Blyton, which celebrated “the magic in the mundane.”
But it was her memory of a solve-it-yourself murder mystery that planted the seed for “The Magic Crystal”—a book that empowered readers to choose their own path.
For parents looking for other inspiring reads, Billie recommends Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen‘s shape and hat series, which sparked thoughtful conversations with her five-year-old daughter.
The Magic Continues
Billie isn’t stopping with one book. She’s expanding “The Magic Crystal” into a series focused on essential life skills like emotional intelligence, stoicism, resilience, and decision-making.
“A lot of these lessons aren’t just for kids,” she admitted. “They’re reminders many of us adults still need too.”
As a mom who’s constantly learning alongside my children, I couldn’t agree more.
Follow Billie on Goodreads, Substack, Instagram, or Facebook.
Finding Your Own Magic
What I love most about Billie’s story is how it reminds us that motherhood can be transformative—not just for our children, but for ourselves. Sometimes, the desire to be better for our little ones pushes us to confront our own fears, to step into courage, to create something meaningful.
“The Magic Crystal” is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats. There’s also a special Deluxe Hardcover Edition with holographic foiled cover available exclusively on her website.
But beyond the book itself, I hope Billie’s story inspires you as it did me. To show our children courage by living it. To embrace the perfectly imperfect. To remember that it’s never too late to begin creating the magic we want to see in the world.
Because in the end, isn’t that what motherhood is all about? Creating magic, not just for our children, but through them, and sometimes, because of them.
Have you ever been inspired to do something brave because of your children? I’d love to hear your stories!
Photo and image credit: Billie Moon | Magic Pony Books