Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 1/10/2025

Leslie Balch's Critter Tales: Stories for the Young and the Young at Heart ("we," "us," or "our") operates a children's book website (the "Website"). Protecting the privacy of families, parents, and caregivers is extremely important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Website, purchase products or services, or interact with us online.

This Privacy Policy is written to comply with applicable privacy laws, including but not limited to:

• California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA)

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information when you voluntarily provide it to us:

Personal Identifiers

• Name

• Email address

• General location (such as city, state, country)

Online & Social Information

• Social media profile information if you choose to interact with us or follow us on social media, including our Facebook fan page: “Leslie Balch's Critter Tales: Stories for the Young and the Young at Heart”

Transaction & Payment Information

• Information necessary to process payments for products or services (such as billing name and contact details). Payment information is processed securely by third-party payment processors; we do not store full credit card numbers.

Usage & Tracking Information

• Website usage data collected through Google Analytics, which may include IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, and general geographic location.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To operate, maintain, and improve our Website

• To respond to inquiries and messages sent through the Website or email

• To process purchases, payments, and deliver products or services

• To send newsletters or updates only if you have opted in

• To understand how visitors use our Website through analytics (Google Analytics)

• To comply with legal obligations

We do not use your information for advertising, behavioral profiling, or remarketing.

3. Newsletters & Communications

Users may voluntarily opt in to receive newsletters or updates. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions included in the email or by contacting us directly.

We do not send unsolicited marketing emails.

4. Advertising & Remarketing

• We do not display third-party advertisements on our Website.

• We do not engage in remarketing.

• We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies primarily for:

• Website functionality

• Analytics through Google Analytics

You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings. Note that some Website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

6. Disclosure of Your Information

We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:

• With trusted service providers who assist us in operating the Website or processing payments, under strict confidentiality obligations

• When required by law or legal process

• To protect our rights, safety, or property

We do not sell or share personal information for commercial purposes.

7. Children’s Privacy (COPPA Compliance)

Our Website is intended for parents, caregivers, educators, and general audiences.

• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13.

• If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will promptly delete that information.

Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided personal information may contact us using the information below.

8. California Privacy Rights (CCPA & CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights:

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose

• The right to request deletion of your personal information

• The right to correct inaccurate personal information

• The right to limit the use of sensitive personal information (if applicable)

• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

We do not sell or share personal information as defined by the CCPA/CPRA.

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

9. European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have the right to:

• Access your personal data

• Request correction or deletion of your data

• Restrict or object to processing

• Request data portability

• Withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)

Our lawful bases for processing include consent, contractual necessity, and legitimate interests in operating and improving our Website.

10. CalOPPA Compliance

In accordance with CalOPPA:

• Users may visit our Website anonymously

• This Privacy Policy is easily accessible and linked on our homepage

• We will update this Privacy Policy if our practices change

11. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures to protect personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, you may contact us:

• Email: LeslieBalch10@Gmail.com

• Website Message: Through the contact form on our Website

By using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.