Gianna, the Book’s Inspiration
The inspiration for this story began on a simple morning drive to school with my daughter, Gianna. From the backseat came her gentle voice: “Mommy, do you love me when I go to school?” That question opened the door to many more—some tender, some profound, and some silly. “Do you love me when I don’t know?” she asked, surprised that my love stayed the same. Then, with a playful smile: “Do you love me when I’m messy?” In those car-ride moments, I saw her exploring what so many children wonder deep inside—that love is unconditional, no matter what. Her curiosity and joy sparked this book, a celebration of the questions children ask and the simple, steady answer they most need to hear: Yes. I Love You. Always.
About the Author
Karina Castagna is a mother, writer, and community leader passionate about nurturing children’s curiosity and creativity. Karina is a first-generation Mexican American and the first in her family to graduate from college. She credits her parents’ unconditional love and the encouragement of many mentors for helping her believe in herself and pursue her dreams. Today, she is dedicated to paying that gift forward—through her work as Vice President of kidSTREAM, a children’s museum that sparks learning through play, and through stories like this one. Karina hopes her daughter, Gianna, her step-children Andrew, Rachael and Laura and children everywhere grow up knowing their worth and the power of unconditional love to help them become confident, compassionate, and strong.