Katrina Carter-Journet (a.k.a. K. L. Carter) is a STEM professional in the aerospace industry and the author of Let’s Chase the Moon, a space-themed children’s story that celebrates curiosity, focus, family, and the unique ways children with ADHD see the universe.
I was so taken with her book that I wanted to introduce her to all of you. Here is our conversation.
Cindy: Katrina, your professional background is extraordinary. How do you usually introduce yourself today?
Katrina: Thank you. Today, I introduce myself as a parent first. Professionally, I’m a physicist and reliability engineer with decades of experience in space exploration, from government research at NASA to working in the commercialization of the space industry. But parenting has been the most transformative work of my life. It has shaped how I think about people, systems, creativity, and possibility in ways no career ever could.
Cindy: What inspired you to write Let’s Chase the Moon?
Katrina: The book grew directly out of my lived experience raising my children. When my son was in kindergarten, I was learning about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for the first time. What stood out to me immediately was how quickly his energy and curiosity were framed as problems. I didn’t see a problem. I saw a superpower- creativity, imagination, artistry, and bold thinking.
At the same time, I was raising my daughter, who didn’t have a diagnosis but was very aware of how family dynamics were shifting. I wanted a story that honored both children- the one who needs more visible support and the one who quietly adapts. I couldn’t find that book, so I wrote it.
Cindy: You’re very intentional about using the word “superpower” when you talk about ADHD. Why does that matter to you?
Katrina: Because language shapes identity. In the workplace, we celebrate people who think differently. We call it innovation, disruptive thinking, and creativity. But when children show those same traits, especially early on, they’re often told they’re too much. I wanted my son to grow up knowing that his mind is powerful, not broken. ADHD isn’t something to overcome- it’s something to understand, support, and nurture.
Cindy: How did your daughter’s experience influence the story?
Katrina: Deeply. She’s the older sibling, and during those early years, she sometimes felt invisible. Her needs weren’t loud, but they were real. This is often referred to as the “glass child”- the child who looks fine, so their feelings can be overlooked.
Cindy: That’s such an important point. In many families raising a child with ADHD or other differences, parents are working so hard to support the child who needs more visible help that siblings can quietly carry a lot of emotional weight. They often become the “easy” child, the helper, or the one who adapts. I appreciate that your story acknowledges that experience too.
They often become the “easy” child, the helper, or the one who adapts. I appreciate that your story acknowledges that experience too.
Cindy: How did you help your daughter feel seen during that time, especially while you were navigating your son’s needs?
Katrina: I wanted to acknowledge sibling rivalry, disappointment, and those quiet moments of hurt, while also celebrating the joy, love, and connection that siblings share. Let’s Chase the Moon reflects that balance. It shows that families can hold space for multiple experiences at once. I use space as a metaphor for solving problems, building connections, and happiness. All stars get to shine and so do we.
Cindy: The book feels joyful and grounded in family and community. Was that intentional?
Katrina: Very much so. The book isn’t about meetings or processes. It’s about the foundation children build at home and in their communities. Supportive teachers, caring friends, engaged parents, extended family- those relationships matter. They shape how children see themselves long before they ever encounter labels or expectations.
Community played a huge role in my son’s success. The right teachers changed everything. When educators truly see a child and work with families as partners, it makes an incredible difference. It was also essential in helping my daughter feel seen, understood, and appreciated throughout the process.
Cindy: Your background is deeply rooted in science and engineering. How does that influence your parenting?
Katrina: Science teaches you to question assumptions. Engineering teaches you to look at systems as a whole. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions- especially for children. Concepts like “average” or “normal” are based on assumptions and sample populations. Children don’t fit neatly into those boxes, and they shouldn’t have to.
Parenting requires imagination, patience, and flexibility- just like engineering. You observe, you adjust, and you keep moving forward. You have moments where everything aligns and you have moments where you have to figure out how to improve things. It’s not failure. It’s foundation. That’s growth and opportunity.
I teach my children to give themselves grace, be kind, and to understand that there is room for everyone. The universe is vast. That means there are infinite possibilities. I am also direct. I want them to be accountable and to think about cause and effect as well.
Cindy: You’ve spoken openly about how challenging kindergarten was. What helped you through that season?
Katrina: Community and perseverance. Kindergarten was the hardest year. There were moments that felt isolating and exhausting. What helped was finding the right people- teachers, administrators, pediatricians, family, friends, and other professionals- who truly understood my child and were willing to collaborate.
Once that happened, everything changed. My son felt supported, and I felt like we were finally moving forward together. This allowed me to also see my daughter and to intentionally make room for her to shine. I worked a lot on making sure that we had family conversations. It was and is important that they learned to support each other and to actively listen to each other.
Balance is critical to our family. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
Cindy: What do you hope families take away from Let’s Chase the Moon?
Katrina: I hope families feel seen. I hope children recognize themselves in the story and feel proud of who they are. I want children to see how it feels from both sides. This will help them to have empathy and compassion. In addition, I want children to see that there is so much time for fun and adventure.
Cindy: One of the things that struck me while reading your book is how much permission it gives families to talk openly about differences. When children see themselves reflected in stories- whether they are the child with ADHD or the sibling navigating those dynamics- it helps normalize those experiences and opens the door to empathy.
Katrina: I hope parents feel encouraged and reminded that joy matters just as much as guidance. And I hope it sparks conversations- about feelings, creativity, family time, and possibility. I want parents to see that they can use their interests and talents to build strong connections with their children. In the process, their children get the opportunity to learn about them and this helps everyone to feel secure and safe.
Every child deserves to feel loved, valued, and capable of dreaming big.
Cindy: The title of your book is Let’s Chase the Moon. What does “chasing the moon” mean to you?
Katrina: It’s very real for me. For years, whenever there was a full moon, a harvest moon, or a super moon, I would say to my kids, “Let’s get in the car and go chase the moon.” And we really did. We would drive toward it, laughing, talking, playing music, watching it rise and glow in the sky. Of course, you can never actually reach the moon- but that was never the point.
What mattered was the feeling. The sense of possibility. The idea that something beautiful and magnificent is out there, and if you keep going, you can imagine yourself getting closer. Some of our best conversations happened in the car while chasing the moon- about dreams, worries, school, friendships, and life.
For me, chasing the moon represents hope, adventure, and connection. Space has always been part of my life and my work, so it naturally shaped how I connected with my children. But I want parents to know that everyone has their own “moon” to chase.
It doesn’t have to be space. It could be baking cookies, gardening, watching movies together, walking the dog, jogging, fixing cars, volunteering, listening to music- whatever grounds you and brings joy. That’s your moon. Create your tradition. Let it be fun. Let it be yours. Those shared moments build connection, confidence, and memories that last a lifetime.
About Katrina Carter-Journet
Katrina Carter-Journet is a physicist, reliability engineer, author, and space exploration professional. Writing under the pen name K. L. Carter, she is the author of Let’s Chase the Moon, a children’s book inspired by her lived experience as a parent. Her work celebrates creativity, family connection, community, and the belief that every child’s differences are strengths worth celebrating.
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