Adventures of Ella Bella—A Moment of Joy
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to read The Adventures of Ella Bella in person for the very first time. Let me tell you—it was magical. Seeing the children's faces light up with each turn of the page, hearing their giggles, and watching them eagerly participate in the positive affirmations was an experience I won’t forget.
One little girl raised her hand and excitedly told me that her class says these affirmations every morning at school. How amazing is that? It reminded me just how powerful it is to believe in yourself—to think and speak to yourself in a positive way. There are moments in life that light a fire in your soul, that affirm you're right where you're meant to be. Saturday morning was one of those moments for me.
A mother bought a copy of The Adventures of Ella Bella, telling me she planned to read it to her Girl Scout troop. A friend later texted me, saying that the best part of storytime for her little girl was getting to meet the author. And then there was Agnus—a sweet girl who gave me a big hug and told me how much she enjoyed the story and liked my necklace (thank you).
But one of the biggest highlights? A little boy who couldn’t wait to tell me about what he’d been learning in school about the writing process. He proudly shared that he had been working on writing, editing, and revising drafts of his own story. His eyes twinkled with excitement as he described his creative ideas (which, of course, I can’t share—his originality needs to stay protected!). Then, he made the most wonderful suggestion: he could bring his work to my next storytime, and we could both read. What a lovely idea—I can’t wait! I encouraged him to keep writing, and I truly hope he does.
These are the moments that bring me joy. Creating is my passion, but inspiring others—especially young minds—that is what truly fills my cup.
Thank you to everyone who attended the reading, and for the love and support I felt in the town I grew up in. Make sure to stop by The Story Collective if you are in St. Joseph, Missouri anytime soon. The book selection is wonderful and so is the owner, Ashley.
If you’re wondering what’s next for Ella Bella, I have exciting news—The Adventures of Ella Bella and the Brand New School will debut this July! Just in time for the start of a new school year. Stay tuned next week for a special sneak peek.
What inspires your passion? Do you already know or need to reflect on what truly brings you joy? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and as always, happy reading.
—Katie Marie
