About the author
Cory Tarwater
Cory Tarwater writes children’s books inspired by the magic of growing up. His stories are rooted in how to be a good neighbor and in understanding that it’s never too late to change your ways.
He writes from his home in Utah, where he is always dreaming up the next great adventure for Barnaby, Toby, and all the creatures of Sunny-Stream Pond. The adventures in his books are pieces of his own childhood — stories about looking out for one another, and the friends who sit with us on the raft.
In his words
Why I Write
I write because I remember being a kid — and I remember being a lonely one.
In elementary school, I was bullied for the way I looked. I didn’t have the words to handle it back then, so I just took it, quietly, and carried it with me. What finally changed everything wasn’t a lesson or a lecture — it was a friend. One person saw me, sat with me, and showed me what being a true friend really means. More than forty years later, we can live in different time zones and go a long while without talking, and the moment we reconnect, it’s like no time has passed at all. Every story I write grows from that: the ache of feeling alone, and the quiet miracle of the friend who ends it.
Somewhere along the way, I realized the lessons that stuck with me most weren’t the loud ones. They were quiet: look out for the person sitting alone, forgive the grump, remember that it’s never too late to change. Those are the truths I want to hand to children — not as rules, but as stories they’ll carry without even noticing.
I write for the child sitting alone at the edge of the playground, certain that no one sees them. I write for the parent reading aloud at the end of a long day, hoping the words find a home. And honestly, I write for the boy I used to be — the one who just needed one friend to show up.
It took me a while to finally sit down and tell these tales, but I’ve come to believe my own message: it’s never too late to begin something good. Barnaby the Grumble-Gator learned that — and so did I.
And to the friend who showed up all those years ago — thank you.
Behind the stories
Where the magic happens
The mission
Stories that help kids grow kind
Every JCT Creations book is written to give children the words and courage for real-life moments — sharing, forgiving, standing up gently, and welcoming the lonely.
“Being big just means you have more room for friends.”— Toby, The Grumble-Gator’s Greatest Raft
What’s next
More adventures at the pond
The Grumble-Gator’s Greatest Raft is the first tale from Sunny-Stream Pond — and Toby and Barnaby have plenty more stories to share. Join the story circle to hear about new books first.
For press & media
Press & media kit
Writing about JCT Creations or planning an interview with Cory? Download the full press kit or a one-page sell sheet below. High-resolution cover art and author photos are available on request.