About the author
Growing stories, imagination, and stronger communities
Donna Voss is an author and community advocate whose work reflects a lifelong appreciation for creativity, sustainable learning, cultural traditions, empathy, and the relationships that bring people together.
Her story
Learning begins when curiosity takes root
For Donna, imagination, education, and community are closely connected. Her experiences working with children and families have helped shape both her values and her storytelling.
Donna lives in Southern California. As a volunteer at her public grade school, she began the Garden Club when her daughter started kindergarten in 1997. Parents and teachers contributed their time and energy, helping the program grow into a shared learning experience centered on food, responsibility, creativity, and cooperation.
The Garden Club helped inspire a Farm to Table public school program that teaches students how to grow, prepare, reuse, repurpose, and recycle food. When Donna’s daughter became the Garden Club teacher, she developed an educational curriculum and secured a grant for the first farmhouse.
The school district farm now welcomes K–6 students for offsite tours of its expanding site. Through hands-on learning, students discover how sustainable food practices can support healthier communities and stronger relationships.
Donna’s work also emphasizes inclusivity, listening with empathy, and considering another person’s perspective. These ideas continue throughout her books, where magical characters, global journeys, history, food traditions, and family memories encourage readers to remain curious and kind.
From the garden to the page
A creative journey shaped by community
Donna’s experiences reveal how one idea can grow through participation, learning, and a shared commitment to the next generation.
Planting an Idea
A school Garden Club created an engaging place where children, parents, and teachers could learn and contribute together.
Growing a Program
That beginning expanded into a Farm to Table learning experience focused on sustainable food and shared responsibility.
Sharing Through Stories
Donna carries those values into books that encourage imagination, empathy, cultural appreciation, and community connection.
What guides her work
Values found beyond every page
Imagination
Making room for play, wonder, and creative possibility.
Sustainability
Helping the next generation understand food and the natural world.
Empathy
Listening carefully and considering another person’s perspective.
Community
Building healthy relationships through cooperation and kindness.
Donna’s candle gallery
A closer look at her candle collection
This gallery shares another personal and creative interest of Donna’s through a selection of candle images, colors, arrangements, and details.
Author appearances
Donna Voss at the LA Times Festival of Books
Donna has participated in the LA Times Festival of Books, joining a celebration of authors, stories, and readers. Her appearances offered an opportunity to introduce her work, connect with the literary community, and share the ideas behind her books.
Watch the interview
Hear directly from Donna
This featured interview from the LA Times Festival of Books gives readers an opportunity to hear from Donna and learn more about her work as an author.
Watch the complete festival interview and spend more time with the voice and perspective behind the books.
“Being kind really does matter and, in some cases, can make all the difference.”
A guiding belief behind Donna Voss’s work
Discover her books
Continue the journey through Donna’s stories
Explore a fairy-filled mystery, a collection of global stories and poems, and a festive celebration of recipes, traditions, and family memories.