Rowley Regis author Danielle finds success with her first children's book
A teacher of English is preparing to return to her old classrooms in Wolverhampton as an inspirational speaker after her first book found success.
Danielle Harvey, aged 36, from Cradley Heath, teaches at Colmers School and Sixth Form College in Birmingham, and has written a book, entitled Sienna Starts School, based on her own family.
It has proved popular, being listed as the sixth best-selling author in the education category on Amazon.
Mother-of-two Danielle was inspired to write the book by her youngest daughter, two-year-old Daijah-Rose James.
She said: "My book is based on my own family and the main character Sienna-Shay, known as Sienna, is facing her first day at primary school.
"I went to St Paul's Church of England Primary School in Wolverhampton and although I did not face problems at school I did in society. To me it is about inequality of texts as schools have books which are predominantly by white writers.
"There is a lack of diversity and I have made the children in my book from different backgrounds as a way of raising awareness and promoting equality and inclusion.
"In the book Sienna is leaving her family, culture and traditions when she goes to school but makes friends with people of different races. I started writing the book in June last year during the lockdown and during the global Black Lives Matter protests last Summer in response to the killing of George Floyd in America.
"I decided to contact the Marcia M Publishing House, based in West Bromwich, and it took me seven to eight months to write the book.
"I had an insatiable desire to write a book which would help evoke conversations and discussions for all children around inequality and inclusion which is a topic I feel is under-represented and at present a very sensitive subject.
"I am delighted to have been invited by the headteacher at my former primary school in Wolverhampton to return to my old classrooms as a motivational speaker in June."
Danielle is now planning to start a book club at 4pm on Zoom on Saturdays. Her book, which has been illustrated by Asher-Fai Spence, from West Bromwich, sells for £10.98 including postage and packaging on Amazon and Danielle's website and is also available from major book stores.
