About The Author

A Note From the Author

While Forest is meant to represent any child, or adult for that matter, who may find themselves stuck, frustrated, and suffering from a ‘tornado brain’ when they are trying to do something that is out of their comfort zone, Forest’s story is actually directly pulled from my childhood. Growing up, it was always my dream to become bilingual, but after hitting a wall just one too many times, I very quickly associated French to failure. As an otherwise confident child, I threw up my hands, being scared to fail, and gave up on my dream after 11 years of trying.

After realizing that I was not alone, that I was not the only one who suffered from a tornado brain every now and again, I slowly started to get over my fear of failure. As the years went by, I realized that everyone has their weaknesses. I realized that is is not these weaknesses that are judged, but instead how people choose to embrace and overcome them that is. Something lit inside of me, and I decided not to let my fear of failure, my tornado brain, control me. In the last few years, I have spent a total of half a year in France working, traveling, and speaking nothing but french. I am pleased to share with you that I am now fully bilingual.

For me, French was one of the things that made me the most insecure about myself growing up, but I did not let that define me. I believe that failure allows us to grow and to learn. I have learned to believe in the growth mindset and the power of ‘not yet’, and my hope is that from this story, more educators, parents, and children will start to believe in it too. My hope is that you, your child, your student, your friend, or whoever’s hands, eyes, or ears, have been able to have this book, have been able to identify with it. If there is ever something that makes you feel small, insecure, insignificant, or alone, I want you to know that it does not define you. You can overcome it. If there is something that you cannot do now, don’t worry. You just cannot do it yet. You are big, powerful, significant, and most definitely never alone. You matter very much, and as long as you do not give up, you can do anything. I hope that you are able to find some truth in this book, and let it act as a sign for you to go achieve that dream that you have been pushing away for far too long. You are brilliant, unique, important, and beautiful. You can do anything you set your mind to. Don’t let your tornado brain make you think any differently.

I, _____________________ , will not give up. I will try no matter what.