Greek-American author Tessa Dunn spoke with The National Herald about her children’s book ‘The Angel Feather: Guardian Angels, Heavenly Protectors Are Real’ and about her Greek heritage. ‘The Angel Feather’ is geared towards young children and a companion coloring book is also available for purchase online.

Raised in a family where faith and education were greatly valued and lived out, Dunn is a first-time author and shares her lifelong fascination with angels in her book based on a true story.

TNH: Tell us a bit about your background, where in Greece is your family originally from?

Tessa Dunn: I am a cradle Greek Orthodox Christian originally from Towson, MD.  I was married in 1983 and my husband and I have lived in Charlotte, NC since 1985. My family immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s from Kythera (the largest island between the Peloponnese and Crete) – all 4 of my grandparents were from that island.  Growing up in Baltimore’s Annunciation Cathedral (my home Church where I was baptized and married), my Dad (Theodore ‘Ted’ George) taught the catechism classes as well as starting a Church Library in 1954. His Library (which was named after him) carried many books that even the Library of Congress referred people to [it]. Growing up in that Church, between the choir loft (which is located up on a second level to the left of the Iconostasis) – as a child, I actually thought the singing voices were angels, and with the angelic icons everywhere, my angelic fascination began at an early age.

TNH: Were you always interested in becoming a children’s book author?

TD: No, my book’s story is based on a true story and has an incredibly interesting origin, my Acknowledgement page gives credit to Mother Alexandra who founded the first Orthodox Women’s Convent in North America.

As a young person I had the pleasure of meeting Mother Alexandra, formerly Princess Ileana of the last reigning royal family of Romania. I still vividly remember my Father saying to me, “Tessa, Mother Alexandra is a real princess.” My heart melted as I could see the humility, grace and love in her eyes. Years after Mother Alexandra’s repose, after reading books she had authored about her life and one about angels, I became captivated by her life and story. May her memory be eternal. As World War II came to an end (as the Bolshevik Communists occupied her homeland and exiled her family), Mother Alexandra’s stories of strength, courage and faith during extreme circumstances inspired me greatly. However, none of her stories fascinated me as much as her childhood angelic encounter, which motivated me to write this story. My website includes photographs of Mother Alexandra.

TNH: How long did the process take from idea to publication?

TD: Approximately one year. One of my best friends self-published a children’s book a year ago, my husband’s immediate response was, “yeah, well Tessa has had an idea for a children’s book for as long as I have known her but has never put pen to paper.” And so it began.

TNH: Are you working on another book?

TD: Yes, I have several ideas percolating up there.

https://www.thenationalherald.com/tessa-dunn-discusses-her-childrens-book-the-angel-feather/