Behind the Scenes: Creating LANDON LEARNS About Bullying:

Writing LANDON LEARNS About Bullying has been a labor of love and a journey full of creativity, learning, and collaboration. From the initial idea to the beautifully illustrated pages, this book has taken shape through a process that I’m thrilled to share with you.

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of how this story came to life—because every book has its own story to tell.

The Spark of an Idea

My journey into children’s books began during the pandemic with the creation of Golom's Magical Gamers. Inspired by my own story and experiences with my son at that age, the book explored themes of imagination, connection, and adventure. Writing that book unlocked a love for creating stories that spark meaningful conversations for children and families.

LANDON LEARNS About Bullying is my third children’s book. Before Landon’s story, I wrote about Layla Louise Leader, or L3, a confident and adventurous 12-year-old girl navigating her own challenges. L3’s family included her parents, Lydia and Lionel, her older brother Levi, and of course, her younger brother, Landon. While working on her story, I found myself drawn to Landon and his perspective as an 8-year-old boy growing up in the Leader household.

Sitting quietly one day, I began writing Landon’s story, and it didn’t take long for the idea to take root. With several young nieces and nephews currently attending elementary school, including my third-grade nephew, Jackson, I knew I wanted to create a story that would resonate with them—and with children everywhere.

Building the Story

Developing the story for LANDON LEARNS About Bullying was both exciting and intentional. I wanted to create a narrative that was relatable, engaging, and meaningful for children, while offering practical lessons for parents, teachers, and librarians.

As part of the creative process, I leaned on my nephew Jackson, who is currently in third grade—the same age as Landon in the story. Jackson read the book and gave realistic guidance on the content based on his perspective. His input helped me ensure that Landon’s experiences felt authentic and relatable to kids his age.

The story focuses on Landon’s journey to recognize bullying behavior, understand how it makes him feel, and find the courage to stand up for himself with the support of trusted adults. Along the way, Landon learns that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength.

Collaborating with an Illustrator

One of the most rewarding parts of this process was working with the talented illustrator Matt Henry. After my previous experience with Layla Louise Leader, where challenges with the illustrator caused delays, I knew how important it was to find someone who could truly bring Landon’s world to life.

Matt exceeded my expectations. From Landon’s expressive emotions to the vibrant details of the classroom, every page was crafted with care. Seeing Landon come to life visually was a moment I’ll never forget—it felt like he jumped right out of my imagination and onto the page.

Overcoming Challenges

Like any creative project, this book wasn’t without its challenges. From finding the perfect tone for the story to making sure the illustrations aligned with the message, each step required focus and perseverance.

But every obstacle was worth it, because I knew the impact this book could have. The thought of children seeing themselves in Landon’s story, feeling empowered to speak up, and knowing they’re not alone kept me motivated.

Why This Story Matters

LANDON LEARNS About Bullying is more than just a book—it’s a conversation starter, a teaching tool, and a source of inspiration. It’s my hope that this story will encourage children to embrace their inner strength and remind them that they have the power to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others.

This story is personal. It’s rooted in my experiences as a writer, my son’s childhood, and the fresh, honest perspective of my nephew Jackson. I’m proud of what this series represents and excited about the impact it can have.

Landon’s Journey Continues

Landon Learns About Bullying is now available, and what began as an idea has grown into something much bigger—a series designed to help children navigate real-life situations while giving parents, educators, and other trusted adults meaningful ways to start important conversations.

Landon’s first story helps children recognize bullying behavior, understand the importance of speaking up, and identify trusted adults they can turn to for help.

And this is only the beginning of what Landon will learn.

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