Tiana has always had a passion for writing and reading. When she first began writing complete sentences, she was just 4 years old. She also considered writing about it when she was only six years old and experienced bullying because of her hair. With help from the publishing company, the book sold more than 700 copies, which Tiana said “meant a lot to me”, and she has plans to publish more. That made me really sad, so I asked my mom to straighten my hair to look like my other friends who did not have an Afro. She explained to me that I should learn to be proud and accept my hair as it is because it’s beautiful. I was trying my hand at writing short stories, so I decided to write about my hair.” Daniella Blechner, 42, from West Norwood, south London, the founder of Conscious Dreams Publishing, said she initially helped aspiring authors as a “labour of love” by “connecting them to editors, typesetters and illustrators and mentoring them through the process of publishing”, all while working full-time as a teacher.

With help from the publishing company, the book sold more than 700 copies, which Tiana said, ‘meant a lot to me’, and she has plans to publish more. Children get self-assurance and a chance for self-reflection and validation when they see characters who look like themselves," explains the 9 year-old author. "As an added bonus, seeing themselves reflected in these characters might help kids see a world free of prejudice and discrimination.” I thought, I love mentoring and literature, so why not merge the two together and then Conscious Dreams Publishing was born,” Ms Blechner said of the 2016 launch. The author has published three children’s books so far, which she was inspired to write after the death of her father, Cornelius Yearwood, aged 78.It wasn’t something I consciously planned to do, but it was through realising that so many people were not being heard, having their voices diluted or having their stories told in a way that wasn’t authentic, that I decided to create a platform for these unheard stories and voices.” Hello, my name is Tiana-Rose and this is my first book. I am seven years old. I love writing, drawing and dancing. At the age of five, I started having writing classes with my mum who edited and guided me through writing short stories. I’d love to publish many more books. Although I love science and think I’ll be a scientist, being an author is my first passion." Follow your passion and just use your imagination as something that can help you in life because you never know where you can get in life, even if you are a child,” she said. Tiana Akoh-Arrey from south-east London, wrote her first book at the age of seven, called My Afro: Twin Best Friends. One day at school, a kid made fun of my Afro and said that it made me look like a lion,” Tiana recounts. “That made me really sad, so I asked my mom to straighten my hair to look like my other friends who did not have an Afro. She explained to me that I should learn to be proud and accept my hair as it is because it's beautiful. I was trying my hand at writing short stories, so I decided to write about my hair.”

She added that the “best” comments she has received about her book are from children, with the “best one of all” being from a girl who said Nzingha looked like her.Tiana has now published three children's books, and is hoping to publish three more - one of which she was inspired to write after the death of her father, Cornelius Yearwood, aged 78. Tia and Aaoki are best friends. They love to dress and style their hair the same, but Tia's afro hair can be unruly and sometimes hurts to style and manage. When an outbreak of headlice invades the school, Tia is left in a panic. Will Tia lose her precious 'fro? Will her mum be able to give Tia the same hairstyle as her twin best friend Aaoki for 'picture day'? Tiana’s mother, Dorothy, was so moved by her daughter's literary work, that she submitted it to Conscious Dreams Publishing, who in turn, made Tiana a published author, at the age of seven. A powerful book to help children and adults have meaningful discussions about race and anti-racism. Most importantly, the book empowers children to be the best versions of themselves; to have self-love, self-esteem and self-worth, irrespective of their skin colour. For children aged four and above.