Highlights
- Glaiza de Leon has always had an interest in young adult novels and picture books.
- Her daughter Abigail struggles with speaking to others.
- Glaiza's book has helped Abigail with her confidence.
"It was heart-breaking seeing her not be able to talk with other kids properly. It's usually the quiet ones who struggle with getting picked on...so as a mum, I worried. I wanted to protect her."
In wanting to protect her daughter Abigail, Glaiza de Leon found the words when Abigail couldn't find her own.
The mum
Originally from Bataan, in the Philippines, Glaiza understood the struggles that children from migrant families face at school.
"We moved to Western Sydney when I was aged one. My sister just started kindy then and she said she remembers only knowing Filipino and that she couldn't understand Aussie slang. She was one of the quiet kids in class.
"What I find in going to school in Australia, a lot of Filipino kids - whether they grew up here or not - tend to be quiet. They tend to be more reserved. They're seen as quiet achievers."
Glaiza was quiet too when it came to her desire to be a writer when circumstances led her down a different career path.
Glaiza as a young child and with siblings: She understood the struggles kids from migrant families face in school. Source: Glaiza de Leon
"I wanted to take up journalism but I ended up in HR in finance until I took maternity leave. Things changed after that and I began my own business in 2018 to be at home with the kids.
"I took an interest in the marketing side of writing when I did online content, but my focus wasn't really just that."
Her focus shifted though when her daughter came home upset from school one day.
"She told me about her worries in school, about not being able to speak loudly. She cried and I cried with her.
Glaiza de Leon and her daughter Abigail Source: Glaiza de Leon
"For outspoken kids, speaking loudly comes naturally, it's easy. For Abigail, it's more challenging; but I wanted her to find her voice so she can speak up during the times she needs to."
The book
Glaiza's help came in the form of a book.
She admits that she had always been interested in reading and writing children's literature.
"What I like about young adult novels and children's books is their relatability for me. The stories seem simple, but you can immediately see yourself in the characters.
"But while I loved reading them, it took having children to get the inspiration to write one myself."
"But while I loved reading children's books, it took having children to get the inspiration to write one myself." Source: Glaiza de Leon
That one book is, Mummy, I Can't Find My Loud Voice.
Glaiza wrote the manuscript quickly, as her own emotions were still raw from consoling her daughter.
The story she wrote revolved around Abigail who struggled to find her voice at school, as well as the teacher and students who supported her search for it.
"Abigail loved the story and she said we should turn it into a real book so that other kids can read it too."
"Abigail loved the story and she said we should turn it into a real book so that other kids can read it too." Source: Glaiza de Leon
In order to get her book out quickly, Glaiza chose to go down the assisted self-publishing route.
"A lot of picture books now rely on digital illustrations. I still like the look of traditional watercolour drawings and luckily I found an illustrator who could do that for me."
Glaiza was able to release the book after nine months.
"I still like the look of traditional watercolour drawings and luckily I found an illustrator who could do that for me." Source: Glaiza de Leon
She's been grateful for the support of her followers, speech pathologists, as well as Abigail's teachers and classmates. Her local library also lent its support, hosting her book launch.
In an effort to give back to the community, part of the profits from book sales go to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
'She was so proud'
"Abigail's teacher told me that she noticed a change in her when the book got printed. She's still quiet, but she's more confident speaking in front of people now," Glaiza shares.
A milestone was Abigail reading the book in front of the class.
"The teacher was going to read it, but she volunteered. She was so proud."
A milestone was Abigail reading the book in front of the class. Source: Glaiza de Leon
While Glaiza continues to support her daughter with becoming more outspoken, she shares that there is nothing wrong with introversion.
"It's important not to make your child feel bad like there's something wrong with them if they're quiet. What's important is for you to help them with their struggles, whatever they may be. Make them aware they are not alone.
"Stay with them at their own pace. With Abigail, what we do is write a list of the words she says every single day, even if it's just a 'hello'. We celebrate her wins. Whether it takes her five days or five years, she'll get there."
Glaiza's three children Source: Glaiza de Leon
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