A New Creative Adventure: Writing My First Children’s Book

This year has been full of studying, practicum work, and everything that comes with moving through my Early Childhood Education program. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I started writing. Not for school, but for myself. A small idea grew into something bigger, and I’m excited to finally share it.

I’ve written my first chapter book for young children.

A lot of the inspiration came from where I’m from. I grew up in Trenton, and our town has had its fair share of water issues over the years. Lately my own house has been dealing with low pressure and the occasional dribble from the tap. It made me think about how kids experience these things and how often they notice what adults miss.

I wanted to write a story that reflects that. Something meaningful, a little mysterious, and centered on kids who take the lead when the grown-ups don’t. In the book, a strange rat appears in a family’s garden and quietly pulls the children into a mystery that eventually takes them underground into forgotten parts of their town where the real answers are hiding.

Writing this book has been a proud moment for me. It feels connected to my hometown, my experiences, and the kind of stories I want children to grow up reading. When I finish my Level 2 certificate this spring, I plan to start illustrating it myself and begin the publishing process.

Chapter One: The Rat in the Garden

Character concept art generated by Gemini AI based on the Chapter One teaser of The Town That Forgot It's Water. 

A short teaser

Steeltown was once loud and full of life, powered by the heat and roar of the steel plant. Those days are long gone. Families moved away, the plant shut down, and eventually the water stopped running altogether. Only a few people stayed behind, including the Scotia family in their little house on Micky Street.

Life is quiet until a strange rat appears in the garden. It is not acting like a normal rat. It seems to be watching the Scotia kids, almost guiding them. When they follow it, they uncover the first clue that their town’s missing water might not be an accident. That clue will eventually lead them beneath the surface of Steeltown itself.

It is the start of a mystery built on curiosity, courage, and the kind of teamwork kids do better than anyone.