Entertainment
23 November, 2025
Book taps into kids’ feelings
CAIRNS-born author Lisa Rowe is set to release her debut children’s board book, ‘I Am Me’, a collection of affirmations designed to help children aged 1–6 develop confidence, courage and kindness.
Ms Rowe, now living in Tasmania, said the book was initially written for her own daughter, Bobby, who inspired the story from the moment she was just six-months-old.
“I wrote it for my daughter, so she’s almost two, and I wrote it when she was about six months old, and she absolutely loved it,” Mrs Rowe said.
“Seeing how much Bobby loved it, I just thought it would be crazy not to share it.”
I Am Me uses rhythmic, poetic rhymes and gentle illustrations to encourage emotional literacy.
Mrs Rowe said the style helped children remember the lines and enhanced early reading skills.
The book celebrates confidence, kindness and emotional strength, reminding children they don’t need to mould themselves to anyone else’s idea of who they should be.
The illustrations, created by Elodie Jade, feature soft, playful designs with hidden details to engage children on every page.
Originally titled ‘Bobby’s Affirmations’, Mrs Rowe adapted the book to make it accessible for all families, while keeping nods to her daughter throughout.
The first batch of books will go to Tasmania to fulfil pre-orders on the website.
A bulk order of the book is expected to arrive in Cairns later this month or early December, with local pickup in Redlynch available from December.
Families can join the waitlist by emailing lisa@renwellness.com.au to receive the exact pickup address in Redlynch.
Mrs Rowe is also in discussions with local retailers to stock the book, though online pre-orders are currently available via the Ren Wellness website: www.bit.ly/3WNFiq7
Readers can find out more about the author on her Instagram account @bylisarowe.
$2 from every sale will support Mrs Rowe’s not-for-profit, Ren Wellness, which focuses on holistic health education for children, families and the wider community.
Mrs Rowe said the organisation also worked with aged care and childcare programs, promoting gentle lifestyle changes to improve mental and physical health.
“I think it just really shapes the person that they’re going to become,” Mrs Rowe said.
“Being able to shape the minds of the next generation is a privilege.”
Mrs Rowe hopes the book will encourage parents and children to bond through affirmations and reading together, instilling early confidence and a sense of self-worth.
