The Inspiration Behind Happy the Bear

From Community Branding to Bedtime Stories

I’ve spent most of my career helping places and organizations tell their stories. But somewhere between community meetings, branding campaigns, and Google Ad dashboards, a quiet idea began to grow...a story for the tiniest audience I’d ever written for.

The inspiration for Happy's Big Forest Adventure came from watching my grandson, Alex, and his favorite toy, a stuffed bear. I decided to let this love for his bear live on in the form of a book. Suddenly, I was inspired with creativity. His mom said his bear's name was Happy. On that day, Happy was born!

I wanted to create something simple, calming, and joyful...the kind of book that a toddler would reach for again and again. Something soft and colorful to hold during quiet moments. Something filled with kindness.

Happy the Bear is a reflection of everything I believe good stories should be: inviting, friendly, and grounded in connection. His forest is a peaceful place, where small gestures of friendship make the biggest impact.

My own sense of adventure and love of the wilderness also played an important role in shaping the story. Nature has always been a source of creativity and grounding for me, and I wanted Happy's forest to feel like a place both imaginative and real.

I wrote this book with little hands in mind. The 5" x 5" format is sturdy for early readers and easy for parents to toss in a diaper bag. The rhythm is simple. The words are gentle. Every page was created to spark a smile and a sense of calm.

As someone who’s built strategies to attract talent, grow businesses, and build community pride, writing a children’s book felt like a new kind of storytelling challenge. But the goal was the same: connection.

Happy's Big Forest Adventure is the beginning of something new. I hope it finds its way to the hands of curious little ones and into the routines and rituals that make childhood feel safe, silly, and full of wonder.