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Cindy J. Vanous is a Texas-based children's picture book author, speaker, and workshop presenter known for blending emotional honesty, vintage charm, and timeless themes of courage and belonging. Her stories have earned widespread praise, with Kirkus Reviews calling Asher's Christmas Wish "a sweet holiday tale that emphasizes love and acceptance all year long," Maddie – A Little Ghost with a Secret "a charming and uplifting story that celebrates kindness, family, and finding one's unique strength," and A Christmas for Belle "an appropriately simple and delightful canine-themed entry into the Christmas story canon."
Cindy has received the distinguished Kirkus Reviews "Get It" recommendation for Asher's Christmas Wish, Ziva the Great, and A Christmas for Belle. Ziva the Great was also selected as a Kirkus Reviews Editors' Pick in the January 2026 issue and later received a Mom's Choice Awards® Gold designation recognizing excellence in family-friendly storytelling.
Inspired by real animals, real people, and the emotional heartbeat of small-town Texas life, Cindy creates vintage-inspired children's books that help young readers feel seen, understood, and deeply loved. Her stories are brought to life through classic hand-drawn illustrations that echo the magic of the golden age of picture books.
In addition to writing, Cindy enjoys encouraging other writers through speaking engagements, author visits, and writing workshops. In 2026, she presented a fairy tale writing workshop for the Garland Public Library. She also served as a judge for the Cat Writers' Association Communications Contest, recognizing excellence in writing and media about cats.
Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite
Brave Belle's First Halloween by Cindy J Vanous is a children’s picture book centered around the theme of Halloween. The family’s pet dog, Belle, has never experienced this holiday before, and everything in the house is suddenly different: now there are skeletons, pumpkins, strange food, weird smells, and frightful colors—and all over the house! To top things off, none of this new food is hers to enjoy. When strange creatures appear at the door, Belle is certain that the world is coming to an end. Will the night ever end? Why is everything so different?
I found the story to be colorful, engaging, and humorous. The dog who obviously has issues with new things is suddenly thrust into accepting the newness around her, and that is not easy to do. Things are scary, smelly, and offensive each time she turns around. Obviously, no one prepared her for what was to come, including the costume she was forced to wear. This introduces the topic of change to children. Some kids probably have no problem embracing a sudden switch in the daily routine, but there are likely some children who find change harder to embrace. A book like this can help parents introduce changes that happen during the holidays by reading what Belle goes through, so they won’t feel scared or worried. Brave Belle's First Halloween by Cindy J Vanous explores the topic of potentially disturbing holidays to young children, adding grace and humor all the while. I recommend this book.
