For author and artist Jennifer Hallman, the journey behind How Mae Got Moxie began during one of the hardest seasons of her life: helping her best friend navigate a devastating cancer diagnosis.

What followed became far more than a children’s book. It became a movement centered around kindness, vulnerability, creativity, and the courage to be fully yourself.

From Photography to Storytelling

Before becoming an author, Hallman spent years as a photographer whose work focused heavily on storytelling.

But in 2023, everything changed when her best friend Juliet was diagnosed with cancer.

As they traveled to UAB and later MD Anderson for treatment, Hallman found herself searching for ways to support her friend emotionally through fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion.

During that season, she began watching sunrises every morning.

What she didn’t realize at the time was that those colors — soft pinks, glowing oranges, layered blues — would eventually shape the visual identity of an entire creative movement.

The Kindness Cards That Started Everything

Before one hospital trip, Hallman painted forty small handmade cards to give away to people they encountered along the journey:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Drivers
• Restaurant workers
• Strangers offering kindness

Within twenty-four hours, every card was gone.

So she painted more.

Then more again.

Nearly 7,000 kindness cards later, Hallman realized something powerful: small acts of encouragement create ripple effects people rarely forget.

What began as a deeply personal gesture slowly evolved into an art studio, a community movement, and eventually, a manuscript.

The Night Mae Was Born

One evening while working in her studio, Hallman began writing down a series of thoughts about kindness, identity, and self-worth.

Twenty minutes later, she realized she had unintentionally written the foundation for a children’s book.

The manuscript explored themes that many children — and adults — quietly struggle with:

• The fear of standing out
• Worrying what others think
• Learning to love yourself
• Choosing kindness anyway

Hallman partnered with editor Anna to carefully shape the story into something emotionally meaningful while remaining age-appropriate and accessible for young readers.

Why a Hedgehog?

The heart of the story became Mae — a colorful little hedgehog inspired by both childhood nostalgia and emotional symbolism.

Hallman explained that hedgehogs are born soft and vulnerable, but eventually develop spikes as protection.

When frightened, anxious, or uncertain, those spikes rise up to shield them from the world.

The metaphor immediately resonated.

Mae’s story became a reflection of the emotional defenses many people build when they fear rejection, judgment, or ridicule.

One line in particular became central to the entire message of the book:

Hallman describes this as one of the most important conversations we often fail to have with children — and ourselves.

Fear of what others think can quietly stop people from becoming who they were created to be.

Meeting the Illustrator by Chance

One of the most beautiful parts of the story is how illustrator Rachel Smithson became involved.

Hallman originally met Rachel while visiting Alabama Biscuit Company during her sunrise mornings and kindness card journeys.

After receiving one of Hallman’s handmade cards, the two became friends.

Only later did Hallman discover Rachel was an artist.

Together, they transformed rough concepts and emotional themes into the vibrant illustrated world of Mae.

Rachel’s artwork brought the hedgehog character to life with messy spikes, colorful clothing, vintage nostalgia, and emotional warmth inspired by classics like:

• The Berenstain Bears
• Richard Scarry
• Punky Brewster

A Story About Vulnerability

At its core, How Mae Got Moxie is about learning that vulnerability is not weakness.

It’s about:

• Showing your true colors
• Leading with kindness
• Refusing to hide who you are
• Understanding that courage often looks soft

Hallman hopes children who read the book will realize they each have a unique purpose and that the world needs their authentic selves — not a version hidden behind emotional spikes.

More Than a Children’s Book

What started as sunrise paintings and hospital kindness cards has become something much bigger than a single story.

How Mae Got Moxie represents:

• Healing through creativity
• Community connection
• Emotional honesty
• The power of encouragement
• The bravery of being yourself

And perhaps most importantly, it reminds readers that even the smallest acts of love can ripple outward farther than we ever imagine.