Little Voice author Amanda Bernardo to hold a meet and greet at Barrhaven Indigo this Saturday
Recently an email appeared in my inbox from a local author who’s written a very special book for children. The title of the book is Little Voice and it deals with childhood issues of self-confidence and inspiration. Having worked with special needs children for most of my career, I know first hand how important self-confidence is and its impact on academic development. I’m very happy today to share this special guest post with Barrhaven parents.
Whether you are six years old, twelve years old, twenty or even forty, one thing that can be said for all is that we all sometimes need a little inspiration.
Inspiration can be different for each of us. Often times, it comes from within, a moment of inner reflection that compels us to be or to do something. For one local Ottawa author, she describes her inspiration as a little voice inside that tells us to shine.
Ottawa native Amanda Bernardo is no stranger to the community. She has worked effortlessly to inspire the next generation to chase their dreams while working to support a number of local causes. However, Amanda, like many of us, didn’t always know what direction to take in life and struggled with her own little voice:
“I think it’s very easy now a day to feel as though you are not enough. I know that’s a pretty bold statement to make but regrettably, we live in a society where we always need to be or have more in order to be happy. We look around and compare ourselves to others and as a result we begin to question ourselves. Before I set out to write Little Voice, this was my own reality. I struggled with not knowing what direction I wanted to take in life; I struggled with feeling confident in myself and I doubted whether I was capable of achieving the dreams my little voice urged me to follow.”
While on her journey, Amanda soon realized she was not alone. We all struggle sometimes with believing in ourselves and with finding that inner voice inside that inspires us. And so, instead of ignoring her little voice, Amanda decided to not only to listen to it but also to help others do the same:
“I wanted to create a children’s book that reminded children, and adults alike, to listen to that little voice inside them. It’s such a simple exercise but we often ignore that voice that tell us not to give up and that’s when we begin to doubt our capabilities, our future and ourselves. As soon I started believing in my little voice, there was nothing that could stop me from chasing my dream to publish my first children’s book.”
On December 2, 2014, Amanda followed her dream and published her first children’s book Little Voice. The book has since sold close to 1,000 copies and has been recognized by a number of organizations, including having been named one of Scholastic’s top ten inspiring books of 2015.
Amanda and illustrator Samantha Clusiau-Lawlor have made it their mission to spread inspiration across their community, country and the world.
On November 19, 2016, you can meet Amanda and Samantha at the Indigo Barrhaven location for a special meet and greet, as well as an opportunity to get your copy of Little Voice signed right before the holidays.
