The Authors
Myrtle the Purple Turtle is a beloved children’s picture book series that celebrates friendship, kindness, inclusion, and self-esteem. Created by Canadian mother-daughter duo Cynthia Reyes and Lauren Reyes-Grange, the series has touched the hearts of children, families, educators, and librarians around the world, earning praise from readers of all ages.
How Myrtle Was Born
Nobody likes to feel left out or rejected by others. Unfortunately, it happens to many of us, children and adults alike, and suddenly, we aren’t so sure about ourselves any more.
The first Myrtle the Purple Turtle story was written for my daughter Lauren when she was a young child. Something happened to her at school one day and it made her very sad. I wanted to help her realize how truly special she was.
Over the following weeks, our family – Lauren’s older sister Nikisha, their father Hamlin and Lauren herself – kept improving the story till we felt we knew Myrtle really well!
Today, Lauren and I are co-authors and that single story has become a series about friendship, overcoming challenges and believing in yourself.
We hope you enjoy Myrtle and her friends. Thank you for reading.
Love,
Cynthia and Lauren
Cynthia Reyes
Cynthia Reyes is the award-winning author of several memoirs and the co-author of the Myrtle the Purple Turtle series. A former journalist, producer, and executive producer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), she created and produced more than a hundred network television programs for both children and adults. Her work has earned numerous honors, including the Children’s Broadcast Institute Award and the Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film and Television. Today, Cynthia continues to inspire as a writing professor, coach, and mentor to many aspiring authors. She lives in Canada with her beloved husband, just a short distance from her cherished granddaughters, who are a constant source of joy and inspiration.
Lauren Reyes-Grange
Lauren Reyes-Grange is the co-author of the Myrtle the Purple Turtle series and a product strategist with extensive experience helping leading brands, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations create meaningful digital experiences. Her love of writing began in childhood, growing up in a family of storytellers - the very first Myrtle story was written for her by her mother, Cynthia, planting the seed for the beloved series they now co-author together. Passionate about mentorship, Lauren is dedicated to supporting the next generation of leaders in tech. She lives in Canada with her husband and their two daughters.