Behind the Pages: The Real Eva and Celebrating Individuality

In the realm of children's literature, inspiration can emerge from unexpected sources. But for me, that spark came from the lively imagination of my daughter, Eva. Today I'm putting a spotlight on my character, Eva Day, and will share a bit more about the real Eva who inspired her.

The character of Eva Day is a whirlwind of creativity and enthusiasm. From the moment she wakes up, her mind buzzes with ideas, and her heart is set on adventure. In Eva and the Best Day Ever, she imagines her day down to every meticulous detail. It's a testament to how unique she is, while also being very relatable. The book is at its heart a celebration of individuality; an expression of love for all the unique ideas our children will cook up!

Eva imagines herself and her friends ice skating. In her imagination, the local ice rink becomes a fantasy world. (from Eva and the Best Day Ever)

The Inspiration Behind "Eva and the Best Day Ever"

When I began writing Eva and the Best Day Ever, my goal was to capture my daughter’s adventurous spirit and incredible imagination. The story also weaves in a gentle lesson about hope and disappointment, and putting trust in our loved ones. In the story, Eva must trust her mother that everything will come out well in the end despite being disappointed.

As the book and its characters have evolved, I’ve come to realize that I'm writing about more than just the wonder of a child's imagination. In fact, the story celebrates individuality. There is real beauty in being uniquely yourself.

In real life, Eva's personality shows the moment you enter her bedroom. She personally chose her playful theme of pink and tigers, a space that perfectly captures her spirit! She is a blend of sweetness and strength. I think that pink reflects her love for pretty things, while the tigers hint at the boldness in her heart. She lives in a world that is bright, confident, and unapologetically her.

The real Eva, twirling as the wicked witch on Halloween, 2025.

Eva’s creativity doesn’t stop with her décor. She loves to dress up, and every Halloween becomes a stage. This year, she chose to be the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz, a decision that made me smile because it showed just how adventurous she is. On Halloween, she donned her outfit and threw herself into the role, cackling with delight and twirling with conviction. This fearless spirit lives in the fictional Eva too.

And then, of course, there’s her love for cats! We don’t actually have a cat, but she collects cats around her in the form of stuffed cats, sticker cats, pictures of cats, and anything else, well... cat! In her mind, there’s always a cat by her side, joining her on adventures and curling up for story time. That sense of imagination is exactly what inspired her character’s world in the book. And of course, I had to incorporate her love of cats in the book as well!

I've come to realize that fictional Eva isn’t just based on my daughter. In many ways, she is her in spirit and in heart. It's her love of adventure, her fearless curiosity, her big feelings, her imagination, and her life lessons that are all part of the book's character as well. For me, writing this story has become a fulfilling way of capturing this wonderful stage of Eva's real life.

Celebrating Individuality

As a parent, one of my greatest joys is witnessing Eva embrace her individuality. She is unapologetically herself, and her confidence shines through in her choices. Whether it’s her clothing, creative ideas, or love for cats, Eva embodies the beauty of being unique.

In a world that often encourages conformity, I believe it's vital to celebrate our individuality. Through Eva's character in the book, I hope to inspire young readers to embrace their uniqueness. Each child possesses special qualities that should be nurtured and celebrated.

Eva Day isn’t just a character in a book; she represents childhood, reminding us of the magic in our everyday lives. As we continue navigating life's adventures, I am excited to see where Eva's imagination takes her next!