Lona Whitney

Lona Whitney and Luca Schlaepfer are a creative husband-and-wife team based in Switzerland, dedicated to crafting meaningful stories that inspire young readers. Their debut children’s book, *Chaz the Carving Cat*, began as a unique Christmas gift for the young children in their extended family. Instead of giving toys that might be forgotten, Lona and Luca wanted to create a timeless story that teaches life lessons about perseverance, creativity, and self-belief.

Lona’s upbringing is as diverse as the stories she tells. Born on the Caribbean island of Barbados to a Swiss mother from a small Alpine village, Lona grew up immersed in two rich cultures. She attended high school in Costa Rica and earned full scholarships to study at university in the United States, which she attributes to her “3 Ps”—practice, persistence, and positive thinking. After completing her studies, she returned to Switzerland, where she met Luca.

Luca’s whimsical dream about a cat carving furniture sparked the idea for Chaz, the story’s lovable and determined feline hero. Together, Lona and Luca wove personal experiences into the book, drawing on their adventures in the Swiss Alps and their travels around the world. Characters like Flöckli, the playful goat, and Mrs. Shepherd, a wise and kind mentor, are inspired by their real-life encounters and relationships.

With a shared passion for storytelling, Luca and Lona hope to continue creating Chaz adventures that teach children valuable lessons and encourage them to dream big. Through their stories, they aim to make every child believe that with courage, persistence, and positivity, anything is possible.

Join Chaz on his journey and discover how his story can inspire your family!