Author meet and greet @ Barnes and Noble Southlands
There are moments in life that feel like they stepped right out of a dream—and last weekend, I lived one. As a first-time author, I had often imagined what it would feel like to see my books displayed on the shelves of a store I’d spent countless hours browsing. But walking into Barnes & Noble for my very own author signing event for my first book, My Classroom Lost Its Walls, was something entirely different. It was thrilling, humbling, and a little surreal all at once.
I had the joy of showcasing my two picture books—My Classroom Lost Its Walls and Mom Unplugged. These stories are so close to my heart, each carrying its own world of emotions, colors, and lessons for young readers. To be able to present them in such a celebrated bookstore, like Barnes and Nobles, was an honor beyond words.
Read aloud and follow-up activity for My Classroom Lost Its Walls
The event began with a read aloud session of one of my two books- My Classroom Lost Its Walls. 
The young listeners travelled with Ms. T and her students into the school garden, peeking at flower beds, buzzing bees, and shiny gardening tools. This book is an engaging read for children aged 4 and above, following an elementary school teacher, Ms. T, as she takes her students on a tour of the school garden. Through colorful illustrations and lively narration, young readers discover flower beds, buzzing bees, and an array of gardening tools—making learning feel vibrant and hands-on.
After story time, the fun continued with hands-on activities inspired by the book. Each child picked a clay pot to paint and decorated it with stickers of their choice. They left with a little personalized souvenir from their day at the bookstore—a keepsake that made the experience even more memorable.
From Shelves to Signatures: My Classroom Lost Its Walls sitting on the book wall
After the read-aloud, we took a short walk together to the children’s book wall. There, among the bright and famous titles, my books stood proudly. I watched little hands reach for them, flipping through the pages with that special kind of care reserved for something new and exciting.
From there, the group followed me to the author table. I’ll never forget the sight of families lining up, books in hand, ready to make them their own with a personal signature. Parents encouraged their kids to ask questions, and some shared stories of how they connected with the themes in my books. It was an exchange—not just of books, but of energy, kindness, and shared love for storytelling.
Bookish Goodies
To make the moment even more special, I prepared bookish goodies—seed packets, garden bugs stickers, bookmarks, and little keepsakes tied to the stories. I wanted every reader to leave with not just a signed book, but a moment to remember.
The Magic of Connection
More than the sales, more than the photos, what made the day unforgettable was the connection. Meeting readers face-to-face, hearing what drew them to my books, and watching their excitement reminded me why I write in the first place.
Writing can be a solitary act—hours spent alone with words, ideas, and drafts. But events like these turn that quiet work into a shared experience. It’s a reminder that stories don’t just live on pages—they live in the hearts of the people who read them. That day was more than just an author signing. It was proof that dreams, no matter how long they take to bloom, can indeed come true. And for me, it all started in the aisles of a bookstore, surrounded by stories, smiles, and the promise
