About Patsie McCandless

“We all started with baby steps.”

I believe in magic.

I was born with magic. We all are. I believe in the flowing magic of childhood: in shining eyes, giggling laughter, wonder and wisdom; knowing we are the stuff of stars.

This is real. This magic. I want to hold it. Cherish it. Share it. Show others. Guide and shepherd our Magic. Keep this Magic burning bright throughout our lifetime – not just in our childhood!

I wrote Becoming Jesse: to invite and share that magic, even amid life’s ups & downs; because Jesse is guided to find – and become – and keep – his Magic Light.

Patsie McCandless

I am an author.

I became an educator, artist, musician, wife, mother and grandmother. And now I am the author of the novel: Becoming Jesse ~ Celebrating the Every Day Magic of Childhood. My thirty years as a primary school teacher helped to infuse all my work with the joys of childhood. Now the joys of Becoming Jesse have been awarded theMom’s Choice Gold, Family Choice, Zamiz Press Book Cover Image, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. My second Jesse book: The Secrets of Windy Hill, won the Wishing Shelf Book Award (UK). And the third book in this series, Know Wonder, continues these award-winning stories of Jesse.

2022 Wishing Shelf Finalist Award
Family Choice Award 2020
Mom's Choice Award 2020
Zamiz Press award

I am a speaker.

I gave a TEDxTalk on “Saving the Magic of Childhood” –alerting parents and children to the dangers of cell phone addiction. I also spoke at The United Nations Forum on World Creativity and Innovation when they invited me to speak on “Your Roadmap Out of the Dark Into the Light.”

Patsie McCandless TEDx Speaker

I am an artist.

I am an award-winning artist, and served as President of the Conanicut Island Art Association, Jamestown, RI; as well as on the Board of the Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin, Florida. My paper art (PaperSolo.com) is exhibited with the Miniature Society of Painters, Sculptures and Gravers (DC) and the Miniature Art Society of Florida; as well, it is in the permanent collection the St. Petersburg Opera Company.

Patsie McCandless PaperSolo show

I am a musician.

I am a composer, and played my flute composition (Jesse’s Song) for the St. Petersburg Opera audience, and introducing a string ensemble from the Philadelphia Orchestra. I also served on The Florida Orchestra Board of Consultants.

Patsie McCandless with her flute