Carissa Biele is a local country artist, script writer, author, entertainer, and mom. The former morning news anchor wrote A Christmas Cookie Musical, a children's storybook with accompanying soundtrack. It’s the perfect story to dive into with your family this holiday season.
TS: What inspired the story and music for A Christmas Cookie Musical?
CB: During COVID-19, I focused on song and scriptwriting. As the holidays approached, I thought about past family traditions, like baking cookies and making candy. During this time, I leaned on inspirational sayings like “All things are possible to those who believe,” which is the subtle message of the story. All these thoughts led my subconscious to come up with the story idea for the book one night. I told myself as I was creating [the story and the music] that I would have a child to read the book to one day, and I am so grateful to share it with my boy for the first time this year.
TS: What are some fun traditions you and your family had/have during the holiday season?
CB: As a child, I remember singing Christmas songs while watching holiday movies and decorating the tree while my mom baked. I plan to add my twist on baking Christmas cookies—we will have matching baking aprons, and be sure to sing and dance while we bake cookies for Santa, just like the Cookie Crew in the book.
TS: Is there anyone that helped you with the book and music?
CB: One guy, Steven Farella, created all of the backing tracks. He is super talented and played all the instruments himself. All but one character are voices from the Christ Church choir, including mine. Derwin Hinson, a professional singing Santa, had the deep bluesy sound I heard for the song, “The Sick Reindeer Blues.” I grew up with the illustrator Joshua Potter, who sketched the entire story by hand and colored it digitally. The illustration was the most time-consuming part of the project, so I appreciate him sharing his talent.
TS: What projects do you have in the works right now?
CB: I want to figure out how to get this story animated, released to a network or streaming service, and watch it with my boy next year at Christmas. Aside from my songwriting, there is a television show concept I’m pitching in hopes of seeing it in production in the future too.
You can find A Christmas Cookie Musical on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Book Baby. CarissaBiele.com
"I leaned on inspirational sayings like 'All things are possible to those who believe,' which is the subtle message of the story."