My name is Denise Barry, and I’m an inspirational writer.
I began my writing journey with magical children’s books. My first was What Does the Tooth Fairy Do With Our Teeth?—a book I wrote for my daughter when she was seven. She asked me that very question, and I had no answer. “Maybe she makes toothpaste,” I said. “Or a necklace. Or a skeleton?” I let my imagination run wild. Andy Boerger, a gifted illustrator I found through a friend of a friend on Facebook, brought the book to life. That story—and that time in my life—is forever close to my heart.
Then came Soap on a Rope. The title made me laugh; I’m basically twelve at heart. It’s about a young girl who’s disappointed to receive soap on a rope as a gift. “Do I stink?” she asks her brother, who of course says yes. The soap, with a little imagination, becomes something beloved. The book’s message? Gifts are for the grateful.
My third book, Tooth Fairy, You Have Some Explaining to Do, taught me to keep my hands off the illustrator’s process. I worked with Alejandro Echavez, an incredible artist and patient soul. I probably drove him a little crazy. This story is about the tooth fairy forgetting to show up—because of course, it’s always her fault. I chose to make the child in the story gender neutral, which sparked some beautiful conversation.
Trees became my metaphor
Trees stand tall. They sway. They speak quietly, and only when you listen. They face what’s in front of them. I tried to do the same. Sometimes, I swayed alone. Sometimes I wanted to give up. But I couldn’t—because a dead tree can take down a whole forest. So I lived. I learned to stand proud.
That journey led me to a new series of books—what I call The Tree Trilogy.
The first is I Am a Ma in a Carrot Tree. In this book, a ma becomes a tree. Once, she was just a carrot—sweet, tender, forgiving. But through self-reflection and strength, she grows into something proud and rooted. This book teaches children how to think, not just how to behave.
The second is I Am a Pa in a Pickle Tree. In this story, a pa is the tree. He raises pickles—sour little things. He hasn't learned what a ma teaches, and it shows. His children walk all over him. His bitterness is passed down.
The third, I Am Lashes But That’s Not Who I Am, is about a child learning to let go of a friend who no longer serves her. It’s about understanding pride, and finding your voice.
Each book comes with a song.
From Carrot Tree:
I am a ma. I’m a carrot tree.
Mother Nature, she planted me.
She made me wild and free.
I can be happy, so happy I’ll be.
I am okay. You are okay. We are all okay, carrots.
From Pickle Tree:
I am a pickle. I wrote a song.
Mother Nature, she made me wrong.
I am a bitter one. I speak with spite.
I speak my truth. I speak with a bite.
I know I’m a pickle. I fit like a glove.
A glove that’s too tight. I know I can’t love.
Because the truth hurts—but it doesn’t have to be unkind
I believe in Mother Nature. She is my Source. We each have our own. I believe healing begins within, not without. I believe in kindness. I believe carrots are symbolic: balanced, humble, just sweet enough. Unlike fruit, which are often too sweet or too sour—carrots are just right.
Be a carrot.
“These books were once retired, just like me. But now they’re back—and so am I.
After a long break from writing, life brought me back to the page. I’ve been through a lot—some good, some hard. I got divorced. I became estranged from family. I got stronger. I became a tree.”