It began at home.
Brave & Kind began with questions children brought home about safety, belonging, differences, and the world around them. Those questions led to a bigger one: How do we want to show up in this world?
A story that started with family
Brave & Kind began with questions my children brought home. They had questions about safety, belonging, differences, and things they were hearing and seeing in the world around them. I wanted a gentle way to keep those conversations going. As a family, we kept coming back to a bigger question: How do we want to show up in this world? Our answer is through brave, calm, and kind actions. Those conversations became Brave & Kind.
Many experiences, one story
April's background in national security brings a perspective on safety, risk, responsibility, communication, decision making, and the responsibilities people and institutions have for protecting others. Her background in communication and education informs how she thinks about language, learning, connection, understanding, and the ways stories can create opportunities for families and educators.
And it grew.
As my children's questions grew, so did mine. I went on to graduate studies in Legal Studies, with a focus on Land Use, Planning, and Development, at Claremont Lincoln University (CLU), and began asking that same question at a broader level: What does it mean to care not only for ourselves and one another, but also for the communities we share?
Those studies are informing a developing capstone project. It gives context to the broader work, and it is April's own project.
Capstone project details
The capstone is still in development. The Brave & Kind series that follows may explore civic awareness, listening, community planning, and participation. These are ideas for future stories, not learning outcomes of the current book, Brave & Kind.
As the project and series develop, this website will share updates, educational resources, and opportunities to continue the conversation.
This is April's own graduate work at Claremont Lincoln University (CLU). The university does not sponsor or endorse Brave & Kind or the book series.
Where the project is going
Brave & Kind begins with the child—with safety, kindness, calm, courage, and belonging. Future stories will follow these ideas outward, helping children explore how we care for other people, the places we share, and the communities we call home. As the stories grow, the question remains the same: How do we want to show up in this world? With brave, calm, and kind actions.
Be brave. Be kind. Be you.
The goal is not for children to become the same. It is to create space for children to recognize themselves, see others, learn about differences, and understand that what makes each of us unique has a place within our communities.