Kimberly Vaughan

Kimberly Vaughan is a children’s author and world-builder whose stories invite young readers to step into living, breathing realms of wonder. She is the creator of the Guardians of the Grove series, including Miranda & Yose: Guardians of the Grove and Mari the Monarch: The Legacy of Wings.

Rooted in themes of kindness, environmental stewardship, legacy, and belonging, Kimberly’s books encourage children to see themselves as protectors of nature and guardians of their own communities. Her stories blend imagination with purpose, planting seeds of literacy, responsibility, and hope.

What makes her work unique is that the stories do not end on the page.

Kimberly brings the world of Guardians of the Grove to life through immersive experiences at California festivals and community events, where children attend Storytimes with Mari the Monarch, share tea with Miranda the Forest Fairy, meet Yose the Dragon, build fairy houses, and step directly into the magical universe they have read about.

She is the founder and producer of several California cultural festivals, including the Yosemite Chivalry & Fantasy Festival, Yosemite Goddess Festival, Yosemite Celtic Festival, and Sacramento Goddess Festival. She also serves as President of the Mariposa Butterfly Festival, where educational programming, live storytimes, and character encounters connect families to literacy and the natural world.

Kimberly lives in Mariposa, California, where she continues expanding the Guardians of the Grove universe — creating stories, experiences, and literacy initiatives that inspire children to protect the earth and believe in their own wings.