COLD LAKE - Tashania Brown, a Cold Lake resident and member of the Cold Lake Black Community, has made her literary debut with Zuri’s Magic Mirror, a children’s book with a powerful message of self-love and representation.
“Zuri’s Magic Mirror was deeply inspired by my own daughters’ experiences growing up in a community where Black representation is minimal,” Brown shares.
“As they navigated their childhood, I noticed them questioning their beauty, comparing their skin colour and hair texture to those around them. As a mother, it was heartbreaking to see their self-perception shaped by societal standards that often didn’t reflect their beauty,” says Brown.
So, she wrote a story to help children embrace their uniqueness and see themselves as beautiful, worthy, and magical.
“Zuri’s journey is one of self-discovery and self-love. She starts off struggling with self-doubt, but when she looks into a magical mirror, she is transported into a world where she meets inspiring figures who look like her, each one affirming her beauty, intelligence, and strength.”
The book teaches children to embrace their uniqueness and recognize that they are enough just as they are.
Brown carefully crafted the magic mirror as a symbol of self-affirmation.
“I wanted to create something symbolic, something that would reflect the truth about who Zuri is, even when she has trouble seeing it herself. The magic mirror represents self-affirmation. It allows her to see herself through a new lens, one filled with love, pride, and confidence.”
Everyone needs a reminder of their worth, especially during moments of self-doubt, Brown added.
Targeted at children who are 4 to 10 years old, the book has already received positive feedback from young readers and their parents.
“So far, the feedback from young readers has been incredibly heartwarming. Parents have shared stories of their children reading Zuri’s Magic Mirror and seeing themselves in Zuri’s journey.”
She adds, “I’ve had children tell me they love their curls more now or that they feel like a princess after reading it. Those moments mean everything to me.”
Brown credits her children as her greatest inspiration.
“I wanted to create something that spoke directly to them and to other children like them."
She adds that representation in stories boosts self-esteem, validates identity, and fosters empathy by exposing children to diverse perspectives.
“Stories shape how we see ourselves and the world around us, so it’s important that all children feel seen and valued in literature.”
As an active member of the Cold Lake Black Community, Brown sees her work as an extension of her advocacy.
“My work with the Cold Lake Black Community is all about uplifting, educating, and fostering a sense of belonging,” she explains.
“Through our initiatives, we strive to create spaces where Black voices are heard and celebrated. As an author, my goal is similar, to amplify stories that reflect Black experiences and to create books that affirm and inspire. It all ties back to representation and empowerment.”
Brown is eager to share her book with the community through author readings at the library and daycare and is open to more opportunities like school visits and book fairs.
Brown encourages support for Zuri’s Magic Mirror by sharing it with children, donating copies to schools or libraries, engaging in discussions about self-love and diversity, and spreading the word. The book is available for purchase on Amazon, and she says she appreciates honest reviews to help reach more readers.
Brown is grateful for the support she has received so far.
“I’m also excited to share that I have two more books coming soon, The Great Egg-Speriment and A Mother’s Heart. These stories will also be available for purchase in the near future, and I can't wait to share them.”
