Oh hi there.

Have you ever been reading a book to your sweet child and started to tear up because it felt like that message was written just for you?

I mean, I know these authors are writing for our children but a part of me thinks some of them wrote these books with us in mind.  In my transition from corporate 8-5er to full-time entrepreneur and mama, I’ve noticed myself grabbing for books to read to my son that have an underlying message of bravery, ingenuity, or grit. I love when a silly animal finds the courage to win the day or brave the road less traveled and I love how stories can build up our children’s self-esteem while simultaneously reminding parents of their worth.

I’d like to think that Giles Andreae, author of Giraffes Can’t Dance, was thinking about someone like me when he wrote the story of a giraffe who was a terrible dancer and gets laughed at in front of all the other animals at the annual jungle dance.

“What if there is a mom out there who is going to leave her job to take care of her kiddo and start her own company and people mock her? Hmm… what would I tell that parent?”

I don’t know Andreae, but I like to think he pondered this question and then thought, “I’ll tell her to find her own music to dance to and I really hope she finds a guide, like Gerald’s cricket friend, to encourage her to just have a great time doing what she loves.”

Andreae, I appreciate this story on so many levels. Thank you for writing it. I hope my son and I can always remember to dance to the beat of our own drum and find the courage to walk out in front of the rest of the jungle animals even if we are scared and our knobby knees are shaking.

Another favorite in our house is a book called, I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love by Nancy Tillman. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and I want to frame every page but the message, although subtle, is a perfect encourager of creativity.

The book imagines a child waking up each day pretending to be different animals and his mama plays along with his game. It’s lyrical and sweet but best of all, it encourages imagination. Whatever you decide to be my little love, I’ll love you anyway. If only we could bottle up that unconditional love and acceptance and dole it out to ourselves on our life journey! Give yourself some love and read this book (and the rest of Tillman’s sweet books, they’re all delicious).

Lastly, my mom gave me the book What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada when I first started out on my business journey and I have it on my desk at all times to remind me to keep my ideas where I can see them and let them grow along with me. I highly recommend you buy at least two copies, one for you and one for your favorite girlboss friend.

After reading hundreds of children’s books, these are the ones I keep going back to at this stage of life. I’m curious, what children’s books have inspired you in your entrepreneurial journey?

xo

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