Jenni’s Pennies

Jenni’s Pennies is a colorful, hardcover children’s book that follows the story of six-year-old Jenni.

The story has three main characters showing Jenni’s creative and playful side, accountability, and friendliness.

I wrote the story with the intention that the reader will use their imagination, become curious about what happens next, and share their ideas through a conversation when reading with someone else. This intention correlates with my hope to inspire and teach young readers the power of their voices.

The book includes an age-appropriate author’s note which gives insight into the symbolism behind the characters in the story.

I AM A HEADLINE

Jenni loves collecting pennies. Each one helps to take her on a new adventure. But what happens when she’s inspired to use her pennies differently? Join Jenni as she dares to make a wish for the first time, allowing her to gain a new friend.

AUTHORS NOTE

My childhood ended at a very young age, when I was sexually abused. My perpetrator referred to me as “Jenny”.

Along with this trauma, I also endured emotional, verbal and physical abuse as a child and my adult life.

My grandmother was my beam of light.  She taught me about faith, hope and love. I was devastated when she sustained a traumatic brain injury during a car accident in late 2001.

After months of being in a coma, my grandmother awakened and spent the last month of her life, unable to speak or move.  I was in anguish. I prayed for my grandmother, Lupita, to either be healed from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, or that she be taken home.  Days later, I lost the only person that I felt truly happy, loved and safe with. I was grief stricken and heartbroken.

She passed away April 20th, 2002.

Fast forward to becoming a mother, I promised myself that I would love my son the way my grandmother loved me.  The red bird in the story represents both my grandmother and my son.  “Jake” watches over “Jenni”, just as my son, Jacob and my grandmother watch over me.

I, of course, am Jenni.  During the 2020 pandemic, while in lockdown, I decided to really focus on healing my childhood traumas.  I chose to take my power back by replacing the “y” in the nickname that I despised, with an “I”. I finally believe I am enough and let go of the “whY”.

Today I no longer cringe when I hear Jenni, instead I picture that six-year-old little girl that was loved by her grandmother, and I thank her for reminding me to love myself and my son in that same way.

Thank you for reading and purchasing my book.  I hope that you never forget that your voice matters.

You are capable.
You are lovable.
You are deserving.
You are enough.