CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio — Florenza Lee is a storyteller, publisher coach, and award-winning author who packs rich lessons into her children's books with a focus on social-emotional learning. Her writing is both educational and entertaining.
"When stories started coming to me, I realized that I had this beautiful opportunity and responsibility to document them and give them life so that they didn't just reside with me," Lee explained. "Anything that encourages children to improve their resilience, to build resolve. I want children to understand ... all of those things are innate within them. So I choose stories that I believe will grow that in a child."
Lee's ability to do so is one that she shares through a national coaching program and personalized mentorship. Her goal, she says, is to help others to discover their power as well.
"In the literary field, I enjoy coaching individuals in how to establish their own imprint with writing workshops, helping them to learn how to tell their own stories, and really mostly just to love reading," Lee said. "I believe that reading is the great equalizer."
One powerful lesson that is the topic of one of Lee's most recent books is taken from her family's personal experience with her husband's military service -- he was on active duty in the United States Army for 31 years.
"Both our daughters were born into the military," Lee said. "He remained in until they graduated high school. They were used to packing up every three to four years, not being around family. I was able to tap into the experiences of my daughters and just speak to that through the words of the books. And so the book that I wrote, 'This Time Next Year,' was to look at the challenges for a child who has a best friend and... his father receives orders and they have to move. It teaches children how to deal with difficulties disappointments."
With real-life challenges centered around experiences including friendship, kindness, self-actualization and hope, Lee books create building blocks for what she believes children should know. It's her hope that these lessons stick.
"I would hope that any child that's reading my books today and five years from now when they're making decisions about life, that something that they read in one of my books gives them the ability to make a wise decision," Lee said.
You can learn more about Florenza Lee's work and where to find her books here.
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