Local Kindergarten Teacher Turns Decades-Old Memory into Beloved Children's Book

​For most people, finding a bug in the family Christmas tree is a minor nuisance. For East Greenwich resident and kindergarten teacher Carrie Simonetti, it was the spark of inspiration that would eventually become a published children’s book.
Simonetti recently released "Kringle the Christmas Caterpillar," a heartwarming, rhyming holiday tale beautifully brought to life by illustrator Rebecca Lucier. But the story of Kringle’s journey to the bookshelf is a tale of patience, taking over two decades to unfold.
The story originated more than 20 years ago when Simonetti and her husband were setting up their Christmas tree. Eager for her two-year-old son, Matthew, to marvel at the festive centerpiece, Simonetti was surprised to find him completely captivated by a tiny caterpillar that had crawled out of the branches onto the rug. The family attempted to keep the unexpected guest alive in a sneaker box—feeding it a toddler-approved diet of Cheerios and lettuce. While the real-life Kringle met a realistic end, Simonetti knew a children’s book needed a happier conclusion.
"I wrote it in one sitting," Simonetti recalled. "It was like a download from my angels. It just flowed out of me."
Despite the initial burst of creativity, the manuscript sat on a shelf for 20 years after early publisher rejections. Simonetti focused on raising her family and teaching at Meadowbrook Farms—the very school she attended as a child. It wasn't until a New Year's resolution in January that she decided it was finally time to see her dream through.
Things moved quickly. She connected with Paraclete Press, a publisher based on Cape Cod, and teamed up with Lucier, a former Coventry art teacher. Lucier’s whimsical watercolor illustrations perfectly captured Simonetti's vision, right down to the "double cover" fold-out that Simonetti's kindergarten students always eagerly request during story time. She even made sure to include a special hydrangea illustration as a nod to her younger son, Thomas, who wasn't born when the original event occurred.
Simonetti's students, whom she affectionately calls her "biggest critics," provided valuable feedback during read-alouds. Their stamp of approval mirrored the public's reception: Simonetti ordered an initial run of 700 copies and nearly sold out her entire stock right away.
Today, Simonetti continues to share Kringle's magic through local school presentations. "Kringle the Christmas Caterpillar" is currently available for purchase for $22.00 through Simonetti's Etsy shop and can be followed on Instagram at @KringleCaterpillar. As for the future, Simonetti hints that Kringle may make another appearance—perhaps for a "Christmas in July" special or in a line of festive ornaments.