Andrew C. Phillips
Andrew C. Phillips lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife, Judy. Life is truly rich with their two daughters, supportive sons-in-law, and four grandchildren nearby—ensuring family stories are always close at hand.
My debut novel, In Jake’s Shoes (Black Rose Writing, launching April 2026), explores family, loss, the connections that define us, and the unexpected gifts that love can leave behind. As teachers, my wife and I created Singing to Read story-songbooks for elementary-aged children—blending literacy and music to make learning joyful. My picture book, Sandcastling, highlights the wonder of imagination as two children build a castle on the beach. I am developing a podcast for parents and teachers, called “The Journey Inside.” It features original songs and stories, as I share thoughts, experiences, and my hopes about and for our children by inviting listeners to join me on a journey to see life through a child’s eyes―a journey to help us to better understand ourselves, and to walk in each other’s shoes.
Author
Sharing stories and memories has been my way of connecting—with family, friends, and children. In the early 1980’s, my mother died, rather suddenly from cancer. Making sense of the loss I felt was important. It was through stories and memories that helped me hold on to her…in essence that helped honor the “light inside” that made her such a special person in my life. Stories and memories help us to hold on to the people we love and to see life through someone else’s eyes. It was this truth, as a teacher, a principal, a father, and now a grandfather that I discovered by watching my students, my own children, and my grandchildren grow. We’re all different and alike in so many ways. But we’re all a part of this great American family. Whether on the page, in a song, or spoken, storytelling is how I try to share who I am, what I believe, and how I make sense of the world.
Storyteller
At heart, I am always dreaming. Throughout my life, I feel I’ve been guided by one, overriding belief: There’s a special light inside every one of us. For me, critical to that desire to make sense of the world is to understand how others make sense of their own world. And this means learning how to BE the light to See the light in the minds and hearts of others. As an educator, a parent, and a grandparent, it means having the ability to “journey” inside the minds of our children, discover that special light inside each of them, see the world through their eyes, and learn to walk in their shoes. I believe imagination and the ability to step into someone else’s shoes can change lives. And I dream of a world where children grow up with stories and role models that inspire courage, kindness, and hope.
Dreamer
