I’m Monica
I'm a military spouse,
mom, and indie children's
book author on a mission
to help military kids feel
seen and understood.
Why I Write
I believe sharing our stories and seeing ourselves represented helps us feel less alone. As a military spouse and mother of three, I know that while our journeys may look different, we share similar struggles and joys. I wrote Maggie the Military Rat because military kids deserve to see themselves in quality picture books!
My Author Journey
I have loved stories for as long as I can remember. As a child growing up in Bucharest, Romania, my favorite activity was illustrating stories as I listened to on them on the record player. When I turned eight and my family emigrated to the US, I routinely maxed out the local library’s 25-book limit because reading picture books was the best way to learn English. As a young adult, my love for stories and writing led to a B.A. in History from UCLA, followed by a law degree from U.C. Berkeley.
My passion for writing has continued, both in law practice and as a hobby. Once I had children, I rediscovered my love for picture books, and was inspired to write my own. Married to my college sweetheart, I am an active duty U.S. Air Force spouse and a mom to three young children. The military has enabled me and my family to live in some wonderful places, including Sacramento, CA; Newport, RI; and Madrid, Spain, but it's also come with its own challenges like deployments and frequent relocations. Those experiences led me to write my first book, Maggie the Military Rat.
It all began with a misunderstanding. While preparing for our first military move with kids, my then-three year old heard the phrase "military brat" and exclaimed, "But Mommy, I'm not a rat!" And so the idea of a military rat was born. After many, many drafts, I pitched the book to traditional publishers, but they were not interested in a book about a military rat. Undeterred, I eventually decided to self-publish the book and ran a successful Kickstarter to fund its printing. I published Maggie in October 2023, and it's been heartwarming seeing military kids connect with this beloved character ever since.
My family and I are currently stationed in the Bay Area, California, where, in addition to running my book business, I am an adjunct lecturer in the LL.M. Legal Research and Writing program at UC Berkeley School of Law. I am a proud member of SCBWI. Spending time at my local library remains one of my favorite things to do.
more fun facts
About Monica
About the Book
Maggie the Military Rat
Maggie P. Worthington is a military rat—at least, she wants to be. She tries to enlist, but falls short. She tries to serve the soldiers, but gets kicked out of the mess hall. Even her attempt to send letters to the troops misfires! Will Maggie find her own way to serve?
As Seen In
Maggie the Military Rat
“A beautiful, bighearted
adventure, offering delight
where it’s needed most.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
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