I am a mother / writer / actress with a passion for storytelling… from picture books to feature film. I narrated multiple seasons of an Emmy-Award winning educational Discovery Channel series for kids, wrote many viral articles featured on HUFFPOST Parenting, and was nominated for a Producer’s Guild Award. I passed my road test in Times Square before moving to Los Angeles, where I live with one husband, two dogs, and three kiddos in a home that consistently looks vandalized. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with talents like Keegan-Michael Key, Randall Park, Kym Whitley, David A. Arnold, Michael Urie and Jaleel White. You can find me hiding behind my computer typing like Animal from the Muppets, volunteering in my children’s school library, or on Twitter at @LeynaWeber.
I’m so proud to be represented by Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency. I live and breathe picture books and was recently a finalist for the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentorship Award.
Once upon a time, and one better-rested-version of myself ago, I did some other things, too…
Why picture books?
After having children3, I began writing articles in my head (I do my best work there) while nursing on the glider at 3 am. Those articles became viral hits on HUFFPOST. Some are posted on SeeMomWrite.com.
Becoming a mother3 meant reading 20+ picture books a day. I immersed myself in workshops, critique groups, and supportive organizations like 12×12, SCBWI, and The Writing Barn’s Courage to Create. I was a 2021 finalist for the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentorship Award.
Now I craft stories about flawed characters in imperfect situations. Endeavoring to help children feel seen through a mindful and accepting lens, I write the stories I wanted to read as a child and need to read to my children today. Is it possible to change a life, capture a heart, and see a child in fewer than 500 words? Damn skippy. Just ask a kid.
Learn, work, pivot. Learn, work, pivot. I’m a picture book author, screenwriter, actress, voiceover artist and work in progress. Just like this website.
