Through a series of rhyming questions and whimsical illustrations, What Would You Do? encourages kids to dream big, take chances, and believe in themselves. What was the inspiration for your story?

I have always had a problem with confidence which led me to have a very difficult time growing up. When I write, I am really talking to myself and I know a LOT of kids deal with the same feelings. I want to help them overcome their lack of self-esteem and believe in what they are capable of. Children are amazing and have so much potential! They just need to see that in themselves and believe they can be anything they want to be!! It’s literally painful to grow up with feelings of insecurity and you end up hiding in a shell and never really being the person you’re capable of being. They miss so much joy and enthusiasm for your dreams. I want to help them instill in themselves belief in who they can be.

Your childrens book shows kids that their dreams are possible to achieve as long as they are willing to believe in themself. What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?

I intentionally created the diversity of the characters in the book to show that no matter who you are, where you live or what your circumstances, there are other children throughout the world that have the same feelings. Knowing that can sometimes help a child to not feel different and have a comfort in knowing that they’re not alone in their feelings. A lack of confidence makes a child feel very lonely and want to keep to themselves. By creating a “universal” story, it will hopefully open their eyes to see that other children have the same feelings which, though it may be long distance, it creates a feeling of community. 

What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?

I love the scene with the dragon and the boy fighting from the wheelchair, rather than on a white steed, and then taking the dragon home for a pet! Again, it shows no matter what your circumstances, anything is possible if you believe in yourself!  

What story are you currently in the middle of writing?

I actually have several that I’m working on. I keep getting different ideas so I have to stop what I’m working on to write down a new idea that popped in my head. They all approach the same subject but each with its own unique storyline. What Will You Do? will probably always be my favorite because it helped me overcome my fears “of not being good enough.” I pushed past my doubts and looked in the mirror and said “I believe in me!” It’s a GREAT feeling and I want every child that reads my books to experience that same feeling! 

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