An Unexpected Twist Leads to a Treasured Lesson (part 1)

Here's a little sneak peek into how the big reveal of our book to my wonderful niece took a surprising turn... but turned out to be a heartwarming journey of discovery for both of us.

There was one singular goal that had the majority of my focus between May and mid-June. It was to ensure that my seven-year-old niece could hold, in her arms, an advanced copy of the book we had spent the last year so-authoring.

Why mid-June? Because that’s when our annual family vacation takes place, and everyone was going to be there this year.

My whole team (illustrator, designer, and marketing team) dotted more I’s and crossed more T’s than I care to count.

And, we did it!

On Friday, June 23rd, the whole family gathered in the breakfast nook of the house and watched me place a small brown box on the table.

Then I brought over Dinah, blindfolded to sit down in front of the box.

I gently removed the blindfold and watched her open the box, realize it was our book, and then promptly let out an “OH MY GOD!" with the biggest grin you ever saw.

After she took out the books, and we handed one to each family member, I invited her to read it to her cousins.

She smiled and said OK, and started to read.

As she read, I noticed something. It was subtle, barely imperceptible, but clearly there to me.

Something was wrong here.

I didn’t want to interrupt this magical moment, but I knew all was not right.