Like many kids these days, Brynlee Leonard was stuck at home and bored, so her father told her she should write a book. So she did.
Now the 10-year-old Newmarket girl is a published author, and her father, John Leonard, couldn't be more pleased with how she met his challenge.
"Because of the lockdown, she wasn't able to do anything. We couldn't go to parks or that stuff, and she said she was bored. So I said why don't you write a kid's book, and if you write it, I will help you get it published. And didn't she go and write a book," he said.
The result was a picture book entitled Mommy's Feelings, which explores emotional states and reasons why Mommy may feel the way she does, such as "Mommy is excited because it's her birthday tomorrow."
"It's all real-life examples, and she came up with all on her own. It's a really cool idea for a kids book," said Leonard.
When it was completed, Brynlee and her father arranged to have it full-colour illustrated and published using book creation tools available through Amazon. It has been issued an international standard book number and is for sale on Amazon, where it has sold 45 copies so far.
Brynlee said she is proud of her achievement.
"I'm pretty excited," she said.
When asked what made her decide to write a book about emotions, she said, "Because it was the only idea I could come up with."
When her dad first suggested she should write a book, she said she wasn't that keen on the idea. Now, having done it, not only would she would recommend it to other kids, she is currently working on ideas for a second book.
Her book already has two five-star reviews on Amazon.
"Very good. I think it's a great tool for teaching toddlers about emotions and associated expressions," wrote a purchaser signed Dave.
