The inspiration for I’m Always Me came from a deeply personal moment.
A conversation between my brother and his daughter, Eliana, stayed with me. She had been hurt by unkind comments about some of her physical features, and I could hear the helplessness in his voice as he tried to reassure her from a place every loving parent knows well: wanting to protect a child’s confidence.
Being far away, I wished I could offer her something meaningful and lasting. I began to wonder what I could create that might remind her of who she is beyond the opinions of others.
That was the beginning of this book.
Over time, I realized the message I was trying to write was not only for her. It was for any child who has ever questioned their worth after hearing words that didn’t reflect who they truly are. Children deserve language that helps them recognize their own worth and stay anchored in it.
Every word in this book was written with intention, and every illustration was carefully considered.
From the smallest background details to the expressions on the character’s face, every visual element was thoughtfully directed to support the heart of the story. Each scene was designed not simply to accompany the text, but to strengthen its emotional clarity.
My hope is that I’m Always Me becomes more than a story.
I hope it serves as a quiet reminder that worth is not something children earn from the approval of others, but something they already carry. When doubt appears, I hope this book helps them find their way back to that truth.