Perfectly You follows a young flamingo who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns to embrace her unique talents in a world that values perfection. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My inspiration for writing Perfectly You came from my eight-year-old niece, Audrey, who was diagnosed with ASD a few years ago. She’s incredibly smart but faced challenges early on in school, particularly with overstimulation and emotional regulation, which can be difficult in a classroom setting. Through this book, I wanted to encourage her, and countless other children who may feel “different,” to understand that they are special and unique in their own way, and that we all have something valuable to offer.

How did you approach balancing the light, playful tone of the story with its deeper message about self-discovery and personal growth?

I aimed to balance creating a playful tone that draws children in while gently weaving in deeper messages by focusing on humor, the use of the relatable character: Flo, and a few scenarios that kids can relate to.

The use of rhyme and simple language, and the vibrant illustrations keep the mood light. At the same time, I embedded moments of reflection within the story—like when Flo realised that she’s different and made the choice to be herself which highlights her growth.

I also considered how children naturally explore themes of self-discovery through play and imagination and let the story flow with silly moments and the underlying themes emerge naturally, encouraging kids to reflect on their own journeys without feeling heavy-handed.

Can you share some insight into your creative process when collaborating with the illustrator to bring the flamingos and their world to life?

Absolutely! I made a conscious effort to share my vision and ideas clearly with my illustrator. He’s incredibly talented, and once he understood what I was aiming for, I was able to step back and let him work his magic. He truly brought my concepts to life with his unique style and expertise. Since he’s the expert, I wanted to give him the freedom to shine. The illustrations turned out even better than I had hoped!

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

The second book in this stand-alone series (Stand Out Stories) is titled “Better Together.” It tells the story of a proud penguin who learns that everyone needs a helping hand sometimes and also the value of friendship. It will be available around March 2025!

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