Who We Are

Meet Jo, the Creator

Hi, I’m Jo, born and raised in Hong Kong, educated in Northern Ireland and Canada.  I am an Asian mum, an ICF Master Certified Coach, an children’s book author, and… someone who still remembers exactly how it feels when your child comes home quieter than usual because someone made them feel “not enough.”

I was that little girl once.  Laughed at for my accent, my body shape, the way my eyes looked, pretty much my everything.  Those moments never really leave you.

Years later, I started seeing the same hurt in my own children’s eyes.  I heard the same stories in playgrounds and parent groups.  My heart broke all over again.

That heartbreak became the heartbeat of Please Be You… and later, I Am Me.

I created these two little ABC books because I believe the best way to ready our children against bullying and the pressure to “fit in” is to help them build rock-solid self-love and resilience from the inside - early, deep, and loud - so they grow up knowing they never have to shrink to belong.

So A is no longer for Apple. It’s for Awesome.  Because every child deserves to hear that word about themselves first.

That’s me.  That’s why these books exist.  From one mum who has been there, to every parent who never wants their child to feel small.

With love from Hong Kong, Jo 

Meet Pirate, the Illustrator 

The one who drew the long-haired girl, the bunny, and every little sparkle in Please Be You.

When Jo first messaged me in 2019, she was a stranger with almost no budget and the biggest heart I had ever seen.

She told me why this book had to exist.

It really touched me and immediately I said yes. 

I slashed my rate because some messages are worth more than money.

Every line I drew is my quiet way of telling every child who ever felt “different” - you are magical and special exactly as you are.

That’s why I said yes.

That’s why I wanted to be part of this love letter to children everywhere. 

- Pirate 🏴‍☠️