Three Lessons Learned On Building A Bilingual Children’s Book on Emotions
Creating a bilingual children’s book on emotions has been one of the most rewarding challenges We’ve taken on. Through this journey, I’ve learned so much through the process. Here are the three most important lessons I learned along the way.
Be Brave
When Anna first introduced the idea of creating The Mindful Peach, my mind was flooded with countless ‘what ifs.’ This wasn’t just about making a book; it was about building a business—a venture that comes with its own set of challenges. Starting a business is far from easy, and we faced many difficult decisions along the way. It’s easy to fall into the trap of decision paralysis, but pushing through those moments was crucial to our progress. Grit and determination is a key component when building a business.
Feedback is Necessary
Throughout the process, we actively sought feedback at every stage—from early drafts to final illustrations. This feedback was invaluable to us. While it is take it personally, it highlighted areas that needed refinement. I think my art background prepared me to be more open to what people had to say. By listening and incorporating the feedback, our book is stronger and will be more impactful for the families we are trying to serve.
Community is Key
This project would not have been possible without the support and input of the community. By involving parents, educators, and children from the beginning, we ensured that the book was not just a personal project but a shared resource. We even reached out to other children book authors for help. It felt very intimidating to reach out to them but it was all in our head. They were so kind with their words and time. The community’s involvement brought diverse perspectives that enriched the book, making it a more effective tool for fostering emotional literacy in Asian American families.
These three lessons—being brave, recognizing the importance of feedback, and valuing community—have been instrumental in the creation of this bilingual children’s book on emotions. As we continue to grow The Mindful Peach, these lessons will guide us in developing more resources that will help Asian American families build emotionally healthy relationships together.
~ Victor
