Chrissi tells us that Tea with the Queen originated in a writing workshop she attended where a whimsical illustration of three mice on the back of a goose caught her eye. She tells us how writing the story was an opportunity to revisit all the things she misses about living in London where she grew up from age three and lived much of her adult life. She tells us that writing the book was an opportunity to take her family on a “research trip” to England and tea on the grounds of Buckingham Palace. We discuss the beautiful illustrations by Stephen Macquignon. Chrissi tells us about the various ways she has worked with illustrators. Chrissi tells us the background of her dedication of the book to Charlie Carter-Bates, a courageous boy lost his battle with a brain tumor in 2010. Chrissi learned of Charlie through his godfather who is a Greek Cyrpiot, like Chrissi, and who had read her first book, Under the Grapevine based in Cyprus. Charlie’s parents founded the charity Charlie Charges On the year Chrissi’s book was published and she hopes readers will take the link in her book (and on this episode page) to learn more about the charity. She felt the link to Charlie’s story gives her story a greater purpose. Chrissi tells us about the break she took from writing during her beloved husband’s illness and his death but that she is revisiting a therapeutic manuscript for children and their caregivers. She is also exploring and idea for another Christian-oriented book. Chrissi tells us about her two Greek Orthodox children’s books and her spectacular illustrator for those books, Nico Chocheli. Chrissi’s book, Under the Grapevine: A Miracle by St. Kendeas of Cyprus, is based on the true story of her grandmother’s healing by St. Kendeas. Chrissi talks us about her 14 years of reading Christian children’s classics on Ancient Faith’s award-winning weekly series, Readings from Under the Grapevine.