There’s a special kind of magic when a child opens a children’s book. As tiny fingers turn the page, a whole new world suddenly blooms before their eyes.
Over the years, I have had the privilege to visit and interact with children in various spaces and countries, and also have them engaged in our programs.
I have always shared my story with them. I know just how powerful stories can be for a child’s heart, and how a short story can change a child’s outlook on the world and on themselves.
That’s why I wrote Gloriousness, a gateway for young readers to journey through imagination, inner power, and the beauty of becoming.
Through the journey of a little girl named Ness, who moves from “messiness” to discovering her inner “Trueness,” the story uses playful word patterns built on the suffix “ness” to spark imagination and self-discovery.
Paired with vibrant, whimsical illustrations, it gently reminds young readers that they have the power to define who they are and how they show up in the world each day.
Here is how Gloriousness, my most cherished children’s work to date, is helping young readers all over the world learn to fly.
A Global Message in a Child’s Language
Children across the world speak and understand the same language of emotion: joy, curiosity, and imagination. That’s the strength of books for children.
They transcend language boundaries, foster emotional strength, and remind a child that no matter where they are, they are already complete.
This is why Gloriousness has been an impactful resource among children in various communities. We have shared the book in locations ranging from Jackson, Wyoming, to schools in Kenya and Costa Rica.
A Story Inspired by Transformation
Before it was a book, Gloriousness was a state of being. It grew out of my own journey as a young Cuban girl who crossed borders with a dream and eventually became a lawyer, author, and public speaker.
The more I donated the resource, the more I felt the need to start an initiative where millions of children worldwide could benefit from books, mentorship, and role models.
This inner move inspired the founding of The Trueness Project, my 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people through talent promotion, leadership mentorship, and financial literacy.
What began as a personal metamorphosis became a message I longed to share with children everywhere, that they, too, have wings of possibility.
Creating Space for Imagination and Healing
Imagination is also a form of learning and recovery. Through Gloriousness, I want children to see that their voices matter, and that transformation isn’t just for superheroes; it happens inside them, every day.
That’s the reason why this children’s book was created, not only to entertain but also to affirm.
As they follow Ness’s story, they discover courage, strength, and the reminder that they, too, can spread their wings.
Part of a Larger Mission
In my work with The Trueness Project, we share Gloriousness with communities that cannot afford books for children. Along with interactive sessions on literacy and emotional wellness, the book becomes more than just a book.
It becomes a catalyst. Working with schools and local partners, I aim to create experiences that provide young readers with space to read, write, draw, and talk.
We want to ensure that every child is exposed to creative children’s books that celebrate them and, in turn, enable them to recognize themselves.
Why Stories Like Gloriousness Matter
We tend to underestimate the developmental gains of a single, well-told story. An excellent Children’s book lays the foundation for a child’s future rather than just imparting knowledge.
It gives a child vocabulary for articulating complicated feelings, understanding empathy toward others, and developing the courage to rely on his or her own self.
Empowering children’s books are not simply a means of entertainment; they are actually a means of investing in the emotional intelligence of a child and self-worth.
In fact, organizations like Reading Is Fundamental have done research proving that reading helps children with vocabulary, emotional awareness, and brain development.
The world around them is a mirror reflecting the value that is already in the child and a window showing the possibilities.
From Personal Milestones to Global Impact
I’ve been honored to co-author leadership books like The Power of Leadership, That Impact, receive an honorary doctorate, and be named a Woman to Watch.
But none of these milestones compares to the joy of watching a child’s face light up while reading Gloriousness. And the juicy part: you can support your child to realize their greatness by purchasing this resource on Amazon.
Every page turned is a spark. Every smile is proof that storytelling, at its best, is light. That’s what this book is about.
Impact Children with Me
Children everywhere are born with light, but too often that light is dimmed by circumstance.
They need stories that affirm them, spaces that nurture their voices, and communities that remind them they are already enough.
Gloriousness has become a global mission to put hope in children’s hands, imagination in their hearts, and courage in their voices.
But I can’t do this alone.
I invite you, parents, educators, leaders, dreamers, and changemakers, to join me in this journey.
You can invite me to talk about my journey, help me donate to and impact more children worldwide, or even more, partner with us at The Trueness Project and facilitate excellent young people to write their stories.
Together, we can ensure every child, no matter where they are, has the chance to see themselves reflected in stories that celebrate them and inspire them to dream bigger.
