Joanne is the award-winning illustrator of such books as Beautiful, Brave, Love and Hilde Cracks the Case series, Another Day as Emily and The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli and Peace, Baby! by Linda Ashman. She lives in Amsterdam with her family.

Now we are done with all the formality, let's get to the good stuff. I was born in Malaysia but grew up in Los Angeles. I've had all kinds of adventures, good, bad and the crazy and it had a big influence in my art since I was a very young kid. I love traveling and going to new places. Luckily I have a family who loves it just as much as I do. I am terrible at cooking but I love to eat and luckily my husband is a great cook. Photography, hiking in the mountains and being in nature are my favorite things to do. .

My favorite mediums are pen and pencil. I don't like using sketch books because it makes me feel confined to a space. Which also means, my house is full of loose sketches everywhere. I mean everywhere. My children are my greatest pride . Usually I don't talk this much because I'm an introvert but I think it's okay to share just a little bit of myself with the moms, dads and kids out there.

Patrice Karst is the author of the bestselling, contemporary classic children’s (and adults’!) book The Invisible String, which has sold over 1 million copies and been translated into fifteen languages. It is the story of the String (made out of love!) that connects us all.

The Invisible String book series offers children a tangible understanding of love and teaches the world about the String that “even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it in your heart and know that you are always connected to everyone you love.”

In addition to being shared by all ages as a gift for many of life’s milestone moments, it is also being used by schools, psychologists, hospices, grief groups, the military, hospitals, prison systems and countless organizations worldwide for any kind of loss or separation issues.

A leading title for healing, comfort, celebrations, bereavement and counseling of children and their families since its original publication in 2000, The Invisible String continues to soar because of its timeless message.

Patrice has been on a lifelong mission to share the message that this energy called love transcends time and space and is the most powerful force in all the universe.

Patrice has also written The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a Pet, The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm and Connect, a therapeutic activity book co-written with Dana Wyss, Ph.D., The Invisible Web: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love and Our Universal Connection, You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby and The Smile that Went Around the World.

Due out in 2023 are The Invisible String Backpack (July) and Ruby and Lonely (September).

Born in London, England, Patrice moved to the United States as a child, where she spent many a night pondering the meaning of life under the canopy of stars, and has been on a fascinating creative and spiritual journey ever since.

The single mother of Elijah (now grown) lives near the beach in Ventura, California, where she is currently writing her memoir (and what a wild ride it has been!), working on more stories, and still gazing up in wonder at starry nights.

Patrice loves to hear from her readers! To find out more or to contact Patrice, go to www.patricekarst.com.

If you reach out--she promises to reach back!