Holly Davis, local parenting coach and newly published children’s author, is seeing success with her book The Adventures of Max and Oliver. The book is intended to teach children, as well as their grown up, how their brain works and how to control their response when they are triggered.
“My book made the Amazon No. 1 New Release in children’s books on violence. This is amazing and I cannot wait to hear everyone’s thoughts on the story,” Davis said.
Described as a simple way to tell children what is going on in their brains when they are triggered, the story follows a dog named Max and an owl named Oliver through a lesson on the physical reaction happening in their brain and teaches them how to control it instead of believing they are the “bad kid.”
“I taught preschool for 8 years,” Davis said. “I had a little guy labeled the bad kid. I hated when people labeled their past experiences with the student and sent it along with the kid.”
Davis chose a different approach with her student, using strategies she outlines in her book to successfully help him learn to manage his reactions.
“I spent time trying to get to know him, and earned his trust. I was able to teach him about the brain and how the wise owl leaves when he was throwing a fit. I taught him he wasn’t a bad kid. Even at 4, he could understand little pieces of the brain,” Davis said.
While the barking dog and the wise owl is not Davis’ idea, she said she utilized these animals to tell the story because it’s a simple way to explain a complex concept.
“This is a story that needs to be told,” Davis said. “Something physically is happening in their body and it needs to be tamed. But this isn’t just for the kids. It helps the parents, too.”
While her mission as a parenting coach is to help families interact in a healthy way, Davis says she is far from perfect. She still remembers the events that led her to where she is today.
“I was an overwhelmed and overworked mom,” she said. “I was a screamer and a yeller. I tell this story every time I’m in a parenting class. My daughter Mallory was in bed at 2 years old, and I was yelling about her cleaning up her room, making her cry. That day, I knew I needed to work on myself,.”
Davis, who left the classroom to work for a nonprofit organization teaching parenting classes, recently ventured out to start her own business, Holly Davis Coaching.
“It was scary at first. It was the most roller coaster year of my life,” she said. “When I worked for a nonprofit, people didn’t pay for my services. But once I was on my own, I had to tell myself I’m worth it. I believe in myself. I know what I’m talking about and I want to share it with other families.”
Davis hopes to continue to promote her book at local schools and hold book signings in the near future. As far as what fuels her passion, Davis said her daughter still reminds her to this day how important her job is.
“Parenting classes were slow at first. Mallory would tell me I can’t give up,” Davis said. “She would say, ‘there’s still parents out there that yell at their kids.’ I am still rebuilding my relationship with her.”
Davis has two more books planned for the series.
“It’s an important story not only for kids, but grown ups too. I’m not the only parent that has felt angry,” Davis said. “I want this book in as many hands and families as possible.”
To purchase the book, click here.
