Walk in Truth & Courage <3

Inside
HER world …

Anais M. Paniagua is a children’s author and speaker. Born in the Dominican Republic, raised in New York and now living in Texas, her journey has been rooted in storytelling and finding courage to express her truth. 

Creating books that help children understand themselves, their emotions, and the world around them.

Read more about her story.

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*Published Books*
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What are professionals saying about this book?

  • "Looks like this book nails it! As a doctor I see every day how silence can deeply affect mental and emotional well-being. The book 'Wait, I Have Something To Say' is a powerful testament to the importance of being heard. Anais M Paniagua writes with insight and emotional intelligence, creating a book that is both validating and transformative. This is an important read for anyone navigating identity, expression, and healing"

    Dr. Thomas G. Wilson, MD

    Family Practice Physician,

    St. Luke’s University Health Hospital

  • "This book is filled with trauma informed, developmentally appropriate descriptions and coping skills that I teach every child I counsel. I love the way that you described the 'confusing' feeling that so many children experience during a traumatic event - WITHOUT sharing a potentially triggering event. The incorporation of identifying somatic cues that children feel, even if they can’t identify the emotion, is powerful. I also love the resilience factor of using coping skills to calm his body, and then knowing that no matter what he can still use his voice. You described secret keeping and waiting to share with a safe adult flawlessly. This is something I would use to teach body safety to a child in my sessions. My students are bilingual, so I also loved seeing the bits of inclusivity so kids can see themselves in this book too. Beautiful job writing this book!"

    Maddison Ballard

    Licensed Professional Counselor- Associate and Elementary School Counselor,

    Arlington ISD

  • "Nowadays, children are living in a fast-paced world, and sometimes parents forget to teach them how to use their voice to express their feelings or any situation they may be going through. It is very important that we teach children to use their voice to express their feelings or any discomfort they are experiencing. They must learn to speak up, to understand that there is nothing wrong with expressing what they feel, and adults must learn to listen to what they have to say. As an educator, I believe your book would be fantastic for helping children learn to express their feelings in a way that is engaging for them. The illustrations are very beautiful, with bright, eye-catching colors, and that captures the attention of younger children. It would be a great book to read during morning community circle time or during read-aloud time. School counselors can also use it with younger students to talk about feelings and how to express them without fear. Many times, this type of reading opens the door to conversations that children have not dared to share for fear of being scolded or mocked. But by seeing it presented the way your book does, they can activate their prior knowledge, make connections to their personal lives, and express what they feel. As a first-grade teacher, I have witnessed many stories of what our children go through, some happy and others not so happy. Children should be children and live happily and without fear. I love it!"

    Jovanne Maldonado

    1st Grade Elementary Teacher,

    Plano ISD

  • “This is a beautiful and meaningful book that not only teaches children the importance of using their voice but more importantly learning when and how to use it. It empowers young readers to speak up for themselves while also learning the value of listening to their own body. A thoughtful, age-appropriate read that encourages confidence and self-awareness”

    Ana Marcell Pons

    3rd Grade Elementary Teacher ,

    IDEA Tarrant County Charter School

  • “This book is incredibly intentional with simplifying the very complex topic of emotional intelligence in a manner that gives linguistic capital to children, empowering and validating their thoughts and their voice. The unique aspect about this book is how you can extrapolate it to teach self-regulation at any level. This book is great!”

    Dr. Geoff D. Green II

    Postdoc Research Associate - Neuroscience & Education

    University of Houston

  • “This book helps children recognize internal body signals, validate their feelings, and develop emotional literacy in a safe, age-appropriate way. It’s a practical tool that supports self-regulation and healthy expression in both classroom and counseling setting”

    Lissette Youssef

    Bilingual School Counselor,

    New York City - Department of Education

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