The Woman Behind the Stories
About the Author
M. Christmas writes the kind of stories she wishes she could read to her daughter every night — and already does.
M. Christmas
Author · Tillie Mae™ Series
The Story
Where Tillie Mae Came From
Tillie Mae began with a real little girl—full of curiosity, imagination, a little sass, and just enough mischief to turn an ordinary day into an adventure.
But her story actually began long before that.
Before there was Tillie Mae, there was Mama.
Mama was once a little girl who wandered through creeks looking for the prettiest rocks, made mud pies for the people she loved, went on hayrides, roasted marshmallows around the fire, played outside until the day was nearly gone, and collected the kinds of memories that somehow become more precious with time.
Years later, Mama found herself experiencing childhood all over again—this time through the eyes of her own little girl.
And that is where Tillie Mae was born.
Tillie Mae is inspired by the real-life little girl who reminded Mama of the magic in the memories she had almost forgotten. Her adventures weave together the childhood Mama remembers, the childhood Tillie Mae is living, and the traditions Mama hopes Tillie Mae will someday pass along to a little one of her own.
Some parts are memories. Some parts are imagination. Some parts are a little bit of both.
But at the heart of every Tillie Mae & Mama story is something real:
A mama. A little girl. And a lifetime of memories being passed from one generation to the next.
What Drives Every Page
The Mission
"The Tillie Mae & Mama stories are about more than childhood adventures—they are about memories, traditions, and the little moments that connect generations. Through Tillie Mae’s curiosity, imagination, and just the right amount of mischief, Mama is reminded of the little girl she once was. As they explore creeks, make mud pies, hunt for special rocks, bake together, enjoy hayrides, sit around fires, and turn ordinary days into adventures, Mama shares memories of doing many of those same things when she was young. Each story brings Mama’s childhood and Tillie Mae’s childhood together, showing that some of the greatest things we can give our children aren’t things at all. They are the stories we tell them, the traditions we continue, the time we spend together, and the memories we help them create. The mission of Tillie Mae & Mama is to inspire families to slow down, get outside, get a little messy, laugh together, and make memories worth passing down. Because one day, Tillie Mae will grow up too—and perhaps she’ll share these same adventures with a little one of her own. A little mischief. A lot of memories. And traditions that last for generations.
Love in the mess
Every story celebrates the imperfect, irreplaceable moments between a parent and child.
Joy in the ordinary
A Tuesday afternoon can be the greatest adventure. Tillie Mae proves it every time.
Stories that last
Books that children want read again and again — and parents don't mind reading.
Brand & Rights
About the Tillie Mae™ Brand
Tillie Mae™ is a registered trademark. The character, her stories, and all associated artwork are the original creative work of M. Christmas.
The Tillie Mae™ series is an independently published collection. Each book is written, designed, and produced with the same care and intention that goes into every story — because these books are made to be kept, passed down, and loved for a long time.
Stay Connected
Follow along for updates on new books, behind-the-scenes moments, and the occasional real-life Tillie Mae adventure.