From the ashes of personal struggle, Tamara Leonard has risen to redefine hope, purpose, and resilience through the art of storytelling. A devoted mother, and a cancer survivor, Tamara’s journey has been one of transformation and inspiration. Founding Tamleo Books Inc., she has channeled her life experiences into crafting children’s literature that empowers young minds with relatable stories and invaluable life lessons. With themes of faith, positivity, and emotional intelligence woven into her books, Tamara’s mission extends beyond entertainment—she’s nurturing a generation of readers to become leaders, one page at a time.
From battling cancer to becoming an author—how do you believe these experiences have shaped your voice and perspective in children’s literature?
During my treatment, writing became a vital distraction from the harsh realities of chemotherapy and its side effects. It was a sanctuary where I could channel my thoughts and emotions, and it became a source of healing. The decision to focus on children’s books was inspired by my experiences as a parent, as well as the wealth of insights I saw on social media. I found myself drawn to the various challenges children face today and the strategies I employed while raising my daughter. I wanted to create stories that not only entertain but also provide relatable solutions to these challenges, much like self-help books do for adults. I envision my books as a form of simple self-help for children, presenting them with tools and strategies they can easily understand and apply in their lives. My goal is to empower young readers to navigate their own challenges, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence through engaging narratives. By sharing my experiences, I hope to connect with children on a level that encourages them to see their own strength and potential.
You’ve transformed a personal struggle into a passion for storytelling. What do you hope young readers will take away from the resilience that’s woven into your stories?
It is my hope that my books become a form of simple self-help for children, presenting them with tools and strategies they can easily understand and apply in their lives. My goal is to empower young readers to navigate their own challenges, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence through the fictional but engaging narratives. By sharing some of my experiences along with stories I hear from fellow parents of struggles or wishes they experience or desire for their children, I hope to connect with children on a level that encourages them to see their own strength and potential.
Faith and positivity seem to be core values in both your life and your writing. How do you incorporate these themes into your books in ways that resonate with children?
Faith and positivity are indeed core values in both my life and my writing, and I have made it my personal mission to bring these themes into my books in ways that truly resonate with children. My journey to embracing God’s calling came after facing two life-threatening scares, which profoundly transformed my perspective. Through my stories, I hope to inspire a deep hunger for God in children, encouraging them to seek a relationship with Him sooner without having to experience similar trials. I also pray that my books create a desire in children to become good human beings who make positive choices in their lives. We are in a world where technology exposes them to more negativity and challenges than good. I believe it’s important that we as adults to provide a counterbalance.
By engaging young readers with relatable characters and uplifting narratives, I hope to contribute to a brighter future filled with compassionate individuals. My writing is my way of nurturing that hope for a better generation to come, encouraging children to embrace faith, positivity, and the power of good choices in their everyday lives.
As a former MP, you’ve impacted St. Maarten in a very different capacity. How do you feel your background in leadership and community service influences the messages you share through Tamleo Books?
As a former Member of Parliament, I’ve had the privilege of impacting St. Maarten through laws in that role and I believe that my background in leadership and community service even before becoming a politician significantly shapes the messages, I bring Tamleo’s Books. In everything I do, I strive for excellence and aim to leave behind a legacy that, whenever my name is mentioned, a sense of positivity, inspiration, and hope for years to come is felt. While I never though of the two capacities as one, I hope that the combination inspires both the youth and adults to believe that whatever they set their minds to that is of good intent is worthy of pursuit. We all have the potential to do wonderful things, and it is my intention to use the popularity and attention gained from these different blessings to motivate, inspire, and encourage others. We must recognize that even when we fall short, we still can choose to do good and help others as we navigate through life.
Writing children’s books is often a mix of creativity and purpose. What has been your process for coming up with stories that not only entertain but also teach important life lessons?
My process for coming up with stories include using strategies used with raising my daughter both those that work and those that did not work. I also use stories that other parents share that offer lessons that entertain while teaching important life lessons. What is important to note is that it starts with understanding that children sometimes feel adults don’t understand the challenges they face. At the same time, many parents may not realize that the world has changed significantly, and the way we were raised might not always apply today. So, to bridge this gap, I create stories that find a balance between these two extremes. Through my books, I aim to provide parents with new perspectives and help them recognize how their approaches might affect their children. At the same time, I want children to see that there are other ways to express their emotions beyond rebellion as will as encourage communication. The intention behind my books is to spark conversations between adults and children, as well as with teachers and other elders. This exchange of communication is important, allowing children to learn several ways of handling situations and better understand life as they grow. The idea is to inspire dialogue and foster a deeper connection between generations.
You founded Tamleo Books Inc. with a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. How do you ensure these values come through in your books, and why is it so important to you?
Inclusivity and diversity are particularly important as I try to ensure that these stories has the ability to touch the lives of all children anywhere in the world. In most cases they are shaped by my journey as a parent. For example: While I was known as “the cool mom” and believe we raised our daughter well, we also made mistakes that became clear as she grew older, most of them even after she left for college. Addressing those issues took counseling, which was emotionally challenging from afar. I wanted to share those lessons through my books to help other parents avoid similar pitfalls. Additionally, my home was the hang out place for my daughter and her friends, and they often came to me with their challenges, seeking advice. Listening to their stories gave me insights into various scenarios faced by parents and children, some of which were not my experience with my daughter but inspired my writing. The characters in my stories may be fictional, but most of them are based on real-life experiences, making them relatable to children everywhere. By embracing diverse perspectives, I ensure my books reflect our society’s richness, fostering understanding and empathy. This commitment to inclusivity is essential for creating a more compassionate world.
Raising your daughter while battling cancer must have given you unique insights. Do you feel these experiences influenced the types of characters and stories you now create for young readers?
Raising my daughter while battling cancer taught me many lessons, but not necessarily in the way I initially thought. When she first heard the news, I found her crying surrounded by family and friends. Believing I needed to be strong; I took her aside and insisted she should not be sad, dismissing her feelings and stopping her from expressing her emotions. I also did not give her a chance to share how she felt about my situation becoming public. This experience highlights one of my biggest mistakes as a parent and serves as a powerful reminder in my writing. While I have not yet created a story that directly reflects this experience, it influences the types of characters and stories I craft. I aim to create narratives that encourage emotional expression and understanding, reminding both children and parents of the importance of acknowledging and sharing feelings.
In your view, what makes children’s literature such a powerful medium for instilling hope and empowerment in young readers?
Children’s literature is a powerful medium for instilling hope and empowerment because reading stimulates young minds. When children read stories that resonate with them, they are left reflecting on what they have read, which can inspire and provoke thought. Since children are like sponges, it is crucial to consider what we feed their minds. Exposing them to positive and relatable narratives increases the chances that these stories will affect them positively, developing resilience, empathy, and a sense of possibility for their own lives.
What has been the most fulfilling part of your transition from public servant to children’s author? Is there a specific moment or reaction from a reader that stands out to you?
I wouldn’t say I’ve transitioned completely from public servant to children’s author, as that might imply, I’m no longer a politician (and we definitely don’t want that! wink). Instead, writing has become a fulfilling distraction and a positive outlet alongside other responsibilities for the next four years. However, two moments stand out to me as particularly rewarding. First, when children say, “I’m going to try this with my mommy and daddy to see if it works,” it truly feels like my mission is being accomplished. Second, when they call me “Tanty Lala” and share, “I don’t think that will work with my mother because she doesn’t listen to anything I say. She says she is the mother, so I should do what she says, even when she does the same thing, she punishes me for,” this reaction inspires me to be even more creative. It reminds me of the importance of reaching out to parents and encouraging open communication, motivating me to write even more.
How do you see Tamleo Books evolving in the future, and what new ideas or projects are you most excited about?
I envision Tamleo Books evolving to inspire and empower our youth through literature. My goal is to write exactly 77 books before I transition to that greater place of eternal life, and this requires constant innovation. I also aim to inspire others to write, so our young readers can take pride in the literature of our island. I am particularly excited about recently publishing my 10th book, now available on Amazon and soon on my website www.tamleobooks.com, just in time for the holiday season. To celebrate, I will be hosting three book launch events filled with surprises! I encourage everyone to follow us on Instagram @tamleosbooks and Facebook @tamleobooks to stay updated. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to share my journey. I also encourage parents, families, and businesses to consider buying a book for a child this Christmas as we continue our mission to turn “Readers into Leaders.”
Source: The Peoples Tribune https://www.thepeoplestribunesxm.com
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