Julie McDonnell Author

Just received another 5-star review for "My Rose-Colored Glasses" on Amazon! 💕

This story is pretty special, focusing on empathy, resilience, and how a small shift in perspective can change everything. 😎

If you would also like to read and review my book, you can download it for free at
https://download.goodnightreads.co/myrosecoloredglasses

What if changing the way we see something could change the way we feel about it? 💗

This is my granddaughter, Nadia, who helped inspire the heart and personality behind Bailey in My Rose-Colored Glasses: A Bailey and Buttons Story.

Seeing her here with the book, her rose-colored glasses, and Buttons makes this story feel especially meaningful to me.

At its heart, My Rose-Colored Glasses is about perspective.

Bailey begins to discover that when something doesn’t go the way she expected, she can pause, look a little closer, and choose to see it through a different lens — one filled with curiosity, kindness, and love.

It doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect.

It means remembering that sometimes there may be another way to see what’s right in front of us.

That is one of the messages I hope Nadia — and every child who reads this story — carries with them as they grow. 💕

What’s something you’ve been able to see differently when you looked at it through a kinder lens?

📚 My Rose-Colored Glasses: A Bailey and Buttons Story is available on Amazon, and you can learn more about Bailey, Buttons, and the series at https://juliemcdonnellauthor.com.

Always remember — You are enough. You are loved. Perfect as you are.

What if sometimes we need to see the dream before we can fully believe in it? ★

At Believe Live's “Come As You'll Be” party (2031), we were invited to step into a future version of ourselves—to imagine where we might be several years from now and, for one evening, show up as though we were already there.

So I came as future Julie. ♥

I brought Book #7 in the Bailey & Buttons series, The Light We Carry, and a framed 2031 edition of The Believe Chronicle celebrating the growing impact of the series.

Of course, neither one exists...yet. ☺

But standing there holding them felt surprisingly powerful.

Because dreams often begin as something only we can see.

Then we give them a little more attention.
A little more belief.
A little more courage.

We take one step.
Then another.

And somewhere along the way, a vision begins creating momentum.

What struck me most wasn't really the idea of having seven books. It was what those books represented: stories reaching more children, meaningful conversations happening in homes and classrooms, and messages of worth, kindness, resilience, perspective, and love continuing to find their way into the world.

That's the part of the vision that matters most to me.

I have no idea exactly what 2031 will look like.

But I do know the direction I want to keep walking.

And maybe that's one of the gifts of having a vision. We don't have to know every step between here and there.

Sometimes we simply need something meaningful enough to keep moving toward. ♥

What is a vision you're allowing yourself to believe in—even if you can't see exactly how it will happen yet?

Look who I bumped into checking out of White Oaks Resort & Spa!
Miriam Laundry and Romeo Marquez Jr! 🙌❤️
Miriam Laundry Romeo Marquez Jr.

What a great way to end a fabulous event with Believe Live 2026!

See you next year! 🤗

Excited to share in the Believe Live event with these amazing authors! ❤️

Every once in a while, a photo brings the full picture into focus. 🖼️

This treasured snapshot captures one of those moments. 📸

As part of Miriam Laundry's Believe 2026 this week, six proud members of the PR From The Heart family came together—each with a different story, a deeply personal mission, and a vision for making an indelible impact on the lives of children and families. 👪🏻📚👪🏿

Long before we gathered here, there were first conversations. 💬

Conversations about where their stories began. The experiences that shaped them. The messages they felt called to share. And the children they hoped would one day see themselves, their struggles, or their possibilities reflected within the pages. 📖

Since those conversations, we have had the privilege of standing beside these remarkable individuals as they have shared their stories with media outlets from coast to coast, stepped into the spotlight on stages across the country, and inspired new audiences to believe in the power and purpose behind their books. 💫📺💫

Yet behind every appearance and achievement is something the public rarely sees—the patience, preparation, persistence, and personal courage required to bring a story into the world. ✨🌍✨

That is what makes this snapshot so special. 💗

It captures authors who believed their work could become something more—and who continued showing up for themselves, for their stories, and for the missions behind them. 🙌

Dr. Bob A. Archuleta, Tony Bethel, Marykerinsauthor, Dr. Julie McDonnell Author, Threads Studio Books, and rdschildrensbooks—thank you for trusting PR From The Heart with the heart behind your work and allowing us to help carry your messages forward. We are honored to champion your voices, celebrate your victories, and continue creating what comes next—together. 🤗

Our sincere appreciation also goes out to Miriam Laundry and her entire team for creating an incredible event that empowered KidLit creators to crystallize their vision, take radical action, and step confidently into their next chapter—and to the staff at White Oaks Resort & Spa for their generous hospitality. 🙏🏻

This week served as a powerful reminder that belief may begin with one person—but with the right support and a clear game plan in place, a story can travel farther, shine brighter, and touch more lives than once seemed possible. 🌠

If you're a children's author looking for dedicated PR support to share your inspiring story and new book with the media—and reach more parents, families, and educators leading into and throughout the holiday season—contact us to learn how PR From The Heart can elevate your author journey: https://bit.ly/474Jbur. 💜

Thank you for helping us walk home the children of the world. 👦🏿👦🏽👦🏻🙏🏻👧🏻👧🏽👧🏿

✨ Buttons and I are packed and ready to BELIEVE! ✨

Tomorrow, I’m heading to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario for BELIEVE Live 2026—and of course, Buttons and a few copies of the Bailey & Buttons books had to come along. 🐻📚💗 Believe Live 2026

As I packed today, I found myself thinking about how sometimes we travel with more than what fits inside a suitcase.

We bring our hopes.
Our dreams.
The things we’re creating.
The person we are today…
and the person we’re still becoming.

I’m looking forward to a few days of learning, connection, reflection, growth—and being open to whatever unfolds along the way.

And I’m especially excited for the “Come As You’ll Be” celebration, where we’re invited to step into our future selves and imagine it’s already 2031. ✨

There’s something pretty powerful about not only dreaming about where you’re going, but allowing yourself to see it, feel it, and believe it’s possible.

So…Buttons and I are ready. 💕
Canada, here we come! 🇨🇦

What’s something you’re believing is possible for your own future?

📚✨ Back-to-School Must Reads with Bailey & Buttons!

A new school year brings new classrooms, new friendships, new challenges—and so many opportunities to help children grow in how they see themselves and the world around them. 💗

🌸 The Flowers in Grandma’s Garden reminds children that their worth isn’t found in being perfect or comparing themselves to others. Like the flowers in Grandma’s garden, each of us has something beautiful and special within us.

💗 My Rose-Colored Glasses encourages children to pause, look a little closer, and discover how kindness, curiosity, and a different perspective can change the way we see everyday situations.

Together, these Bailey & Buttons stories open the door to meaningful conversations about:

✨ Self-worth and self-acceptance
✨ Kindness and empathy
✨ Perspective and optimism
✨ Resilience and perseverance
✨ Seeing the good in ourselves and others

Whether you’re a teacher building your classroom library, a counselor supporting students, a librarian choosing meaningful reads, or a parent looking for stories with heart, Bailey & Buttons are ready for back to school! 🐻📚

📖 Both books are available on Amazon.

🏫 I’m also booking author visits for schools, libraries, and other literacy events and would love the opportunity to bring Bailey & Buttons—and their messages—to your students.

Learn more about the books, resources, and author visits here:
https://juliemcdonnellauthor.com. You can also message me anytime.

Because some of the most important lessons children learn aren’t only about reading and math—they’re about learning who they are and how they choose to see the world. 💕