Adventures In Storytelling With Colin Van Dongen
A Father-Daughter Duo Inspiring Imagination
Colin and Mia van Dongen, co-authors of Winston the Titan Terrier, share their inspiring journey of storytelling, creativity, and unplugging from screens to nurture imagination and connection in families.
Colin van Dongen, an award-winning storyteller and creative visionary, has taken audiences on remarkable journeys through a diverse career spanning oceanography, animation, advertising, and now children’s literature. However, his collaboration with his young daughter, Mia van Dongen, an exceptional storyteller in her own right, has unlocked an entirely new realm of creativity and connection. Together, they’ve penned the beloved Winston the Titan Terrier series—a collection of heartwarming adventures featuring Winston, a courageous Boston Terrier with a celestial guardian. This dynamic duo continues to inspire readers young and old, proving that creativity thrives best in shared endeavors.
Mia van Dongen, who embarked on her writing journey at the tender age of five, has brought a youthful exuberance and authentic imagination to their shared literary projects. At just seven years old, Mia has already earned accolades for her storytelling prowess, including the Gold Literary Titan Award in America. She’s also been recognized by her school principal as an “Agent of Change,” acknowledging her positive impact through storytelling. Together, Colin and Mia have created stories that resonate with children, imparting lessons of friendship, resilience, and the joy of unplugging from the digital world to embrace creativity.
In an exclusive interview with Reader’s House, Colin and Mia reflected on their creative beginnings. Colin was inspired to co-author with his daughter when a quote by author Glennon Doyle prompted him to reevaluate the role of technology in childhood. Doyle’s poignant words about the stifling effect of screens on children’s boredom—often a catalyst for creativity—motivated Colin to write with Mia, laying the foundation for what has become a beloved series among young readers.
For Mia, the idea to write a book with her dad felt exciting and fun. “When my mom went shopping and I was watching TV, Dad asked if I wanted to write a book together. Since then, it’s been amazing seeing pictures come to life and hearing from kids who love the characters. My favorite is Winston, who’s based on my real dog—he’s adorable just like the book character!” Mia shared. Her favorite moments in The Cosmic Bone, the first book in the series, include Winston’s action-packed scenes, especially when he uses his Bubblegum Cannon to stop the mischievous Ninja Cat known as Smokestrike.
This creative partnership has enriched Colin’s perspective on storytelling and parenting. “Collaborating with Mia has been humbling and inspiring. Her fresh ideas often surprised me, and I had to embrace her imaginative world fully. The process challenged me to step out of my storytelling box and make space for childlike wonder and creativity,” Colin said. Through teamwork, they’ve broken boundaries and achieved milestones, including their forthcoming title, Winston the Titan Terrier: Adventures in Ancient Egypt, set to release in June 2025.
The upcoming book promises even greater adventures, with villainous dinosaurs wreaking havoc in Queen Cleopatra’s timeline, courtesy of SadFace—a grumpy octopus toy turned inventive antagonist. The van Dongens are excited to show how Winston rallies to save Egypt and the universe, with lessons of resilience and determination embedded in the story’s heart. Colin’s rich background in design and animation played a pivotal role in bringing Mia’s imaginative visions to life, blending classic and emerging techniques to create visually dynamic compositions.
For other parents and authors considering collaborative storytelling, Colin advises embracing flexibility: “Start with storyboards to capture ideas quickly and maintain focus. Role-playing can spark endless creativity; for example, SadFace entered our series after we transformed Mia’s toy octopus during brainstorming sessions. It’s all about creating an environment where spontaneity thrives.”
The van Dongen duo also promotes unplugged activities through their website, WinstonBooks.com, offering educational toys, creative resources, and books to nurture quality family time away from screens. “Creating books with Mia allowed us to step back from technology and deeply connect through art and storytelling. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the experience,” Colin remarked.
Colin and Mia’s journey is a heartfelt reminder of the magic created when generations come together to inspire young minds. Their Winston the Titan Terrier series proves that embracing creativity and connection can spark joy, foster learning, and leave a lasting impact for years to come.
