My journey creating my latest children’s book: Little Little’s Triumph.

Finally, finally I have Little Little's Triumph in my hands as a published book! It feels so exciting, relieving and just plain ahhhhhh. This book had been in the works for over 3 years. Let me give you the back story:

After having finished my second book Over The Horizon I decided I would make two books, a book to each of my sons each with their choice of animals. Come around mid year 2022, knowing what animals my sons wanted me to include in each of their books, I started to brain storm on each books theme. Always keeping in mind my main purpose for writing children books: to tell a story that will teach them wisdom that will help them live a good life. One at a time I came up with the plot. I wrote each story, then I moved on to creating the sketches for each. This took months, being a dedicated wife and mother which is my main priority took a lot of time from my creative dedication. After I finished the sketches for both stories I started to work on adding color and life to Little Little’s Triumph illustrations with the same mediums I used in my past books but it felt off. I simply could not find the rythym and enthusiasm to continue (the beginning of doom: “Creators Block”). I considered using acrylic but thought it would be tough, too long for it dry, more process. I wanted something quicker. Using markers and colored pencils took time and lots of patience. I researched on other art mediums and always found that I just enjoyed watching watercolor art. It seemed serine and just plain lovely. I contimplated the idea of working with watercolor but would “cross it out” because I was honestly, intimidated. Time passed, life happened. I came to the conclusion of just giving it a rest for the time being. More months passed. To keep my creativity alive I focused on my Etsy shop where I sold my handmade jewelry and thrifted finds. We are now into year 2023 by the way. More time passed, life kept getting busier with my kids. Both of my sons are athletes and let me tell you, life with athletes is busy. One phrase:

“Soccer is Life!” For those that know, know! Eventually seeing my work stalled got to me. I went straight for it and just took the leap to try watercolor with very little experience. I had my ups and downs but I kept at it. Finishing an illustration then scrapping it and restarting. One at a time slowly but shurley I worked and worked. Time passed, life happened until finally I finished the illustrations, worked on the front and back cover sketches and final illustrations in the beginning of 2025. Soon after I began the editing of my manuscript. Then came the formatting of the book itself. This was a bit of a challenge, took me longer than expected but I got it down. The time soon came to officially publish! Feeling a bit of mom guilt I wanted to somehow, even if its was a small gesture, make up for the time I took to finish. I decided to have my very own Little Little (my youngest son) choose the release date. He picked his favorite number, 14 therefore May 14 2025 Little Little’s Triumph was officially published.

What a relief it was to do so. I am happy to say my family is proud for my accomplishment and love the book. I am now ready and looking forward to take on the next book that I will be dedicating to my oldest son. I feel prepared and hungry to start soon. I am also very proud of my past self for having written the story and created the sketches already. This will facilitate the process though I know I will be perfecting it and probably making changes. Let’s just hope it doesnt take me 3 years again. 😆 It wont, I will FOCUS just like Little Little! Sometimes I wonder who I really wrote that book for?! 😂