Meet the Authors
Photo by Katie Engelhardt
Karen Charlins
AuthorKaren Charlins is the creator of The December 1st Fairy, a heartwarming Christmas tradition that has brought magic, joy, and meaningful family memories to generations of her family for more than forty years. Inspired by her own love of Christmas—and a desire to make the holiday season feel magical throughout the entire month—Karen introduced her children to Nutmeg, Santa's cheerful December 1st Fairy, in the early 1980s. Since then, Nutmeg has continued visiting her children and grandchildren every December, turning the weeks leading up to Christmas into a season of wonder and connection.
Encouraged by her youngest daughter to share the tradition with other families, Karen transformed the story into her first children's picture book. She believes the best stories come from the heart and hopes her book encourages families to create meaningful holiday traditions that celebrate togetherness, generosity, and the joy of the season.
Karen lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Randy, her biggest supporter, and their miniature Goldendoodle, Lucy. When she's not writing, she enjoys decorating themed year-round holiday trees, baking, traveling, and spending time with family..
Photo by Julianne Donnelle
Megan Jordan
Megan Jordan is an award-winning producer and children's book author whose career has been dedicated to bringing meaningful stories to life on screen and now, on the page. She co-authored The December 1st Fairy with her mother, Karen Charlins, transforming a cherished family Christmas tradition into a heartwarming picture book for a new generation of families.
Born and raised outside Philadelphia, Megan knew from an early age that she wanted to work in entertainment. Inspired by the behind-the-scenes making of Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller" music video, she dreamed of becoming one of the people who could create that same sense of wonder and magic.
For more than two decades, Megan has worked in the film and television industry, producing acclaimed independent films and contributing to major television productions. Her producing credits include the feature film Scent of Linden, which enjoyed a successful festival run, as well as the short films Just A Drill, selected for the Women In Film Production Program, 2BR02B, and Big Breaks. She has also worked on hit television series including The Afterparty (Apple TV+), Our Flag Means Death (HBO), Animal Kingdom (TNT), and Spider-Noir (Amazon).
Megan holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), combining her love of storytelling with a passion for books and lifelong learning. A member of the Producers Guild of America, she believes stories have the power to create lasting memories and bring people together.
Inspired by her mother's infectious love of Christmas and family traditions, Megan is thrilled to help introduce readers to Nutmeg and the magic of The December 1st Fairy. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her beloved husband and son and their two dogs, Malcolm and Ginny.
Co-Author, ProducerIllustrator
Tammy Do
Tammy Do is an illustrator of children's books originally from Vietnam and currently based in Orange County, California. Tammy's art style is whimsical, playful, and colorful. She loves creating imaginative characters that are relatable and full of personality. Visit her website, Tammydoillust.com, to see more of her work.