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Youth
January 4 – 17, 2014
27
Local author faces her fears, publishes her first children’s book BY ALISON STANTON
When Melissa Heye was a little girl, she told herself that one day, she would write a children’s book. “I’ve just always felt for children and what they go through,” Heye says. “And when people asked me what I wanted to do, I would always say I wanted to be a children’s counselor.” As an adult, Heye has achieved both of her goals. The Chandler resident has worked for years as a behavior therapist, specializing in working with children. Heye recently published her first children’s book, too. Called “Fearless Beans,” the book tells a gentle tale of a sweet little white dog named Beans, who wasn’t too sure about his first day of doggie day care. Although the picture book is meant for younger children who are starting preschool or kindergarten, Heye says its powerful and reassuring message can help everybody—including herself— to face their fears. “The message of the book, as simple as it is, is that every child has a gift or a talent, and I wanted children to feel like they could bring that part of themselves to day care,” she says.’ “And at the end of the day, knowing that we are coming home to a loving person is how we are able to be fearless, and how we can accomplish things in life.” Heye was inspired to write the book
HELPING KIDS TO FEEL BRAVE: Melissa Heye, shown here with her husband, Paul, and their dog, Beans, says writing her first children’s book, “Fearless Beans,” helped her to overcome her own fears about becoming a published author. Submitted photo
when she introduced her own dog—a 5-year-old Bichon Frise also named Beans—to doggie day care. “I felt similar feelings as when I brought my son to preschool for the first time over 25 years earlier,” she says. Soon, Heye says, she began to dream about the book, picturing the entire story and its illustrations in her sleep. When she met with an illustrator who coincidentally drew the same images
she had seen in her dreams, Heye says she figured it was a sign that the book was meant to be. “Still, fear and doubt would enter my head, and I wasn’t sure if I should write the book,” she says. Just as Beans learns that he is special and is able to face his fears at day care, Heye found the confidence she needed to write and publish her first book. “Whenever I felt doubt, I would think about my intentions behind writing the book, which were to be able to read to and connect with kids, and donate part of the proceeds to animal charities,” she says. “From this little children’s book, I learned lessons about myself.” In the short time “Fearless Beans” has been on the market, Heye says sales are going very well. “It’s been better than I expected, but the best thing has been the positive response that I’ve been getting.” Heye has visited several schools recently, reading her book to children and donating several copies to Title I schools. When she can, she will bring Beans to events, where he is always a big hit with children. “‘Fearless Beans’ has opened my world up to wonderful people and I have never been happier. The past couple months have been filled with events that focus on children and animals,” Heye says, adding that achieving her goal of becoming a
children’s book author has left her feeling extremely fulfilled. “I can’t believe how many times I didn’t do this book because of fear, but oh my gosh, I’m so glad I did.” For more information, visit www. heyebeansbooks.com or www.facebook. com/heyebeansbooks Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.
READING IN THE PARK: Melissa Heye and her dog, Beans, recently attended an author reading and book signing at Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler. Two dollars of every book sold that day went to 2nd Chance Rescue. Submitted photo
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