Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect—I’d love to hear from you!

The Sixth Night of Halloween: Witch Myth is Witch?
Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill

The Sixth Night of Halloween: Witch Myth is Witch?

Welcome to the Ten Nights of Halloween! Each day I'll introduce you to one of the characters in my picture book, Halloween Good Night. Witches, like many Halloween creations, long predate Halloween itself. In fact, as long as there have been animistic cultures, there have likely been "witches" of one sort or another - women or men who have a deep connection with the spirit world. Witch myths abound across the globe, from Africa or China to Native Americans.

Read More
The Fifth Night of Halloween: Zombies!
Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill

The Fifth Night of Halloween: Zombies!

Welcome to the Ten Nights of Halloween! Each day I'll introduce you to one of the characters in my picture book, Halloween Good Night. The cultural origin of zombies may surprise you. While there's mention dead rising up to eat the living as far back as the Epic of Gilgamesh (c. 2100 bc), stories much closer to our modern zombie emerged in Haiti during the 200+ year enslavement of Africans on the then-French-controlled island.

Read More
The Fourth Night of Halloween: The Mummy Legend Unwrapped
Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill

The Fourth Night of Halloween: The Mummy Legend Unwrapped

Welcome to the Ten Nights of Halloween! Each day I'll introduce you to one of the characters in my picture book, Halloween Good Night. Snuggly mummies? Maybe not snuggly, but mummies are nothing new. They've been around for more than two thousand years. But while the mummy (ceremonially preserved body) isn't new, the Legend of the Mummy is.

Read More
The Third Night of Halloween: How Cuddly is a Werewolf?
Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill

The Third Night of Halloween: How Cuddly is a Werewolf?

Welcome to the Ten Nights of Halloween! Each day I'll introduce you to one of the characters in my picture book, Halloween Good Night. Night three features the werewolf. The werewolf legend is considered one of the oldest of all monster myths. Apparently tales of humans who shape shift into wolf form (called lycanthropes, which is a cool little tidbit) go all the way back to ancient Rome.

Read More
The Second Night of Halloween: Feeling Impish?
Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill Creative Celebrations Rebecca Grabill

The Second Night of Halloween: Feeling Impish?

Welcome to the Ten Nights of Halloween! Each day I'll introduce you to one of the characters in my picture book, Halloween Good Night. Night two features the trick-playing Wood Imp! The wood imp is thought to be a small (less than two feet) human-like creature, once a part of the fairy people. But unlike fairies or pixies, imps are usually not very attractive. Wood imps particularly prefer woodlands and often hide in dank, rotting vegetation which as you might expect isn't so good for the complexion.

Read More