a conversation with kavita channe
on her role as mom and her new children’s book!
Hi there mom, aunts and design lovers!
I’m so thrilled to share with you a conversation with a very accomplished lady during Women’s History Month. Multi-hyphened mama Kavita Channe was born in London and raised in Florida. After graduating from Journalism & Telecommunications school, Kavita has made a name for herself as a sports reporter, reality star, entrepreneur and now children’s book author!
She splits her time gracefully between being a mom, running a wine business and multiple creative projects. Keep reading to learn more about Kavita’s career, her motherhood journey and Frederick the Hamptons Frog, her new book.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m (still) just a little Indian girl from London who moved to Florida with big dreams in my heart that many could not understand. I always knew I wanted to be in front of the camera but I didn’t have the girl-next-door look that many brands seeked at the time so I instead tried out many different careers that thankfully didn’t work out. This ultimately brought me back to my dream of working in TV. I covered entertainment for various outlets and did sideline reporting and hosting for Fox Sports, the NFL. I also managed (while pregnant with my 1st child) to launch a wine brand a few years ago, Sip Channé, which is now sold nation-wide. Another dream of mine was to have a family. I did not get that in a traditional sense, however I am so blessed to have my babies, Micah and Maverick, who are my everything! I am currently single. However, I do believe I will find love again. Another goal of mine is to explore this beautiful world with my family as much as I can.
Can you share what "Frederick the Hamptons Frog" is about?
Frederick the Hamptons Frog is a book based on real events where a family rents a summer home in the Hamptons and they soon realize they aren’t the only ones using the pool! This story takes readers through an adventure about making friends in the most unlikely places and how much of an impact a chance encounter can have on our lives. It’s truly a fun & magical, rhyming story with beautiful illustrations to pair.
What inspired you to write this story?
As mentioned, I own a wine brand and all of my customers in Florida were shut down due to the pandemic so when the opportunity came to head up to the Hamptons (the Rosé capital of the Americas), we took it. My children and I knew no one there and were so excited to get away from being cooped up and quarantining in Florida. And, yes, there was a real frog in the pool. At first, I freaked out and tried everything I could to set the little guy free OUT of our pool, however he kept coming back. We soon realized that this guy had been here longer than us and eventually named him Fred. Thereafter, Fred would literally swim right next to us in the pool like family. So summer ended and we headed back to Florida. I couldn’t seem to get Fred out of my mind. I kept dreaming about him night after night. One night I woke up around 3am and voice-noted to myself the lyrics in my dream... and I wrote the book the next morning!
How would you describe the creative process?
The creative process was pretty foreign to me since I had never written a book prior. First, I had to find an illustrator who could make my vision come to life. Ultimately, I ended up hiring someone I met in an author’s Facebook group, Patrizia Cocco. Then I had to find a printer, which I found through a Google search, Puffer Printing. I also worked with children’s book author and editor, Brooke Vitale, on finalizing my story and LA-based writing coach, Ashley Mansour, who helped me launch on Amazon. The whole process took a little over a year from start to finish, which is why I went the self-publishing route. Otherwise, Fred wouldn’t have come to life until 2023!
What do you want kids to come away with after reading your book?
I want kids to have the same takeaway that I had from meeting Fred... which is that some of the truest joys of life are found in the little things with those we love. It’s those moments and memories that imprint our hearts and minds more so than any toy or material thing. And hopefully this book can inspire families to laugh and spend more time together, to travel, and explore more of the world with each other!
What are some reading habits you have fostered with your own children?
My children are still very young (both under 4) however they read a minimum of 5 books a day... and they love it. We snuggle up in the morning in my bed and read. We also read at their mealtimes, which many times helps keep them on track eating-wise. We read books at night, too, before bed. They love it!
I actually miss that part of being a child myself. You know the whole process of someone reading to you and your mind expanding at what’s being said along with the images and illustrations. The things we take for granted!
What other books would you say are must-haves in any kid's bookshelf?
My list (for babies+) that has well rounded exposure to many things:
You Are The You-niverse by Sara Ajna
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Bitcoin by Shamory
Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
What Would Unicorn Do by Sarah Ford
You are a wine entrepreneur, a children's book author and a mom—how do you balance it all?
I don’t really. It’s a balancing act more-so. When I’m focused on one aspect, the others take a back seat. That’s just the way life is. You CAN have it all... just not at the same time! And that’s ok.
How has motherhood changed your definition of success?
I still set goals and do all I can to get where I want to be like I did prior to motherhood. However, things have changed in that I feel most successful when my kid’s see a happy and fulfilled mommy. When they get the best version of me... that’s what success is for me right now.
What has been the most rewarding part of writing "Frederick the Hamptons Frog"?
We were the #1 New Release on Amazon by the end of the first day we launched and kept that spot for almost 2 weeks. We also made #3 on Amazon’s Best Seller list, which is truly so rewarding. Yet THE MOST rewarding part of writing Frederick the Hamptons Frog is getting random messages from parents all over the world telling me how much they and their children love this story. It truly inspires me and makes my heart feel a way it’s never felt. So much so that I have already written a sequel. In fact, I plan to write a trilogy. You guys will love it!!! I truly wish I could find the real Fred and tell him how much he is adored by so many.
Now for a quick round of questions:
Number of unanswered emails in your inbox today: 9,444 (maybe because I have 6 different email addresses on my phone?)
First thing you do in the morning: check my phone (terrible, I know)
Preferred daily outfit: yoga clothes (also terrible, I know)
Favorite instagram to follow at the moment: @peaceful_barb
When in the Hamptons, you must visit: Sag Harbor Village, it’s the best!
Mom you look up to: mine (Gudi Channe)
Lifesaver baby product(s): Wet Ones, Boogie Wipes, Sassy Poopy Bags
Baby brands you love: Doona (best stroller for on the go families who need a car seat in one), Medela (breast pump), Hatch Grow (to measure breastfeeding ounces), Burts Bees (organic & inexpensive clothes), Babo (shampoo, conditioner, wash, safe for sensitive skin, too), Thinkbaby (sunscreen), Oilogic (oils, lotions), Hipp German (formula closest to breast milk), Evivo (probiotics)
Book every mom should read: Frederick the Hamptons Frog (moms will understand why when they read it)
Kind of mom you hope to be: it’s very easy to get annoyed and stressed as a mama... so mostly, a kind & happy one. I love my nuggets :)
What are some books every kid’s bookshelf should have? Let me know in the comments!