We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joy Harris-Bird a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Joy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most significant projects in my creative journey is my fourth children’s book, “Dream Big Dreams.” When I initially started writing the story, it took a completely different direction than what I had envisioned. However, everything changed when I had the privilege of engaging in a focus group with children.

During our session, these young minds fearlessly shared their dreams and aspirations for the future. Yet, alongside their hopeful visions, they also expressed self-doubt and a lack of confidence in their abilities to achieve those dreams. I distinctly recall one child aspiring to be a doctor, while another dreamed of becoming a judge. Their uncertainty deeply touched me and prompted a profound shift in my approach to the book.

I wanted to deliver a simple, yet powerful message to these children: “You can be anything you want, as long as you stay true to yourself.” This realization sparked a transformation in the book’s content. I wanted to ensure that it would resonate with their hearts, instilling belief and confidence in their potential.

When I finally shared the completed book with these children, their response was overwhelming. They connected with the characters who looked like them, pursuing their own dreams within its pages. Witnessing their joy and hearing their exclamations, such as “Mrs. Bird, I can be an author like you, or I can be a singer just like her!” filled me with immense gratitude and purpose.

This experience became a turning point, propelling me to dream even bigger. It fueled the creation of my animated series, “Kalifornia Dream,” featuring a little girl with big dreams. Through this series, I aim to inspire children to believe in themselves, pursue their passions, and realize that their dreams are within reach. This journey continues to inspire me, as I strive to make a positive impact on children’s lives through my creative endeavors.

Joy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a children’s book author with five published works under my belt. Recently, I had the pleasure of transforming my fourth book, “Dream Big Dreams,” into a captivating animated series called “Kalifornia Dream.” In addition to my writing endeavors, I am also the proud founder of the Read to Lead Learning Center, an organization dedicated to promoting literacy among children in our community. The Read to Lead Learning Center not only promotes literacy but also offers reading intervention and tutoring services. We give back to the community through book drives and by placing little libraries filled with books around Houston. Our goal is to make a positive impact on children’s lives and foster a love for reading in the community.

My journey into the world of writing began in 2017, when I turned to blogging as a means of personal healing. It was a transformative experience for me, as I had spent numerous years struggling with low self-esteem and doubt, unsure of the value I could bring to the world. However, the response to my blog was overwhelmingly positive, and with each word I wrote, my confidence grew.

In 2018, I took a significant leap forward by publishing my first book, “Zoey the Great,” and from that point on, there was no turning back. The path I have walked since then has been a remarkable one, and I take great pride in how far I have come. Now that I have discovered and embraced my voice, I am committed to sharing my stories and experiences with the world, making a lasting impact through the power of words.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As a creative, nothing is more fulfilling than witnessing the impact of my work on children. It brings me immense joy to see their excitement as they engage with my books, flipping through the pages and connecting with the words I’ve written. This same sense of satisfaction carries over to my animated series, where I witness children’s happiness and their eagerness to learn. Being able to contribute to their joy and growth through the power of music is truly a rewarding experience for me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey lies a profound mission that drives me every day: to empower children and ignite within them the unwavering belief that they can overcome any obstacle and reach for the stars. This mission resonates deeply with me because I have experienced firsthand the transformative power of self-belief.

When I finally realized the incredible gift that God had placed within me, everything changed. With newfound clarity, I began to soar to heights I never could have imagined. But my personal transformation was not solely for my own benefit. It became clear to me that my journey was meant to inspire others, especially children who may be struggling with their own self-doubts and insecurities.

Whenever I face moments of discouragement, I draw strength from the image of that child, waiting on my words. Through my creative works, I strive to be a living example that dreams can come true. With every word I write, every character I create, and every story I tell, my purpose is to inspire, encourage, and instill in children the belief that they can be anything they dare to dream.  

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joyharrisbird.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/joyharrisbird
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@kaliforniadream
• Other: www.readtoleadtx.com www.kaliforniadreamtv.com