For months, I’ve been carrying around a secret that has completely filled my heart.

Today, I finally get to share it with all of you…

I wrote a children’s book. ❤️📚

Even typing those words feels surreal.

As many of you know, I’m an elementary school teacher. Every day I have the privilege of learning alongside incredible children. Over the years, I’ve watched them celebrate, laugh, worry, doubt themselves, show kindness, and quietly carry things that no one else could see.

That inspired a simple question…

What if every child carried two backpacks?

One backpack holds books, pencils, and lunch.

The other carries something invisible…

Feelings.

Hopes.

Worries.

Dreams.

That little idea became The Invisible Backpack, a story about kindness, empathy, and reminding children that they never have to carry life’s heavy moments alone.

Today, I clicked the button that sent my very first book to Amazon for printing.

I still can’t believe I’m saying that.

This book has been a true labor of love. There were happy tears, lots of editing, countless hours in Canva, and one very special first reading with my daughter, Athena. We both cried, and in that moment I knew this story had become everything I hoped it would be.

But this is only the beginning.

The Invisible Backpack is the first book in The Invisible Series a collection of stories designed to help children understand big feelings, build empathy, and remind them that kindness has the power to make someone’s backpack a little lighter.

Because I’m a teacher, I also wanted these books to become meaningful classroom resources. That’s why I’ll be creating companion activities, discussion guides, and classroom resources, along with additional teaching materials on my Teachers Pay Teachers store so educators can easily bring these conversations into their classrooms.

My hope is simple.

I hope these stories help children feel seen.

I hope they start conversations around dinner tables, during bedtime stories, and inside classrooms.

And I hope every child who reads The Invisible Backpack remembers one important truth:

You never know what someone else is carrying.

Choose kindness. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me along the way.

This dream is just getting started, and I can’t wait to share the journey with all of you.

With love,

Chelsey