In my early years, my mom epitomized what one might call a distant parent. There wasn’t much emotional attachment, and I struggle to recall a single instance when she engaged in play with me. I yearned for her to join me in the world of dolls, to be a part of my Barbie dream house, but her attention was consistently diverted elsewhere. Despite being a stay-at-home mom, my memories of her are sparse; solo trips to the store and solitary TV watching were the norm.
This yearning for a deeper connection with my mother fueled the creation of “The Makeup Kit of Imagination.” I aimed to construct a world that I desperately wished to experience as a little girl—a world filled with shared laughter, cuddles on the couch, and playing with dolls together. This book became my way of crafting the perfect day with my mom, a day that, in reality, I never had.
When the illustrations from my chosen artist arrived, I was moved to tears. The depiction of the little girl on those pages was a poignant reflection of the child I had longed to be with my own mom. Through this book, my heart found a path to healing. My hope is that young readers can discover joy within its pages and that parents will be inspired to engage fully with their children.
Let this book serve as a reminder to have fun with your kids, to take the time to play and snuggle. These moments of connection are the ones that linger in a child’s memory forever.