Page 40 - Elite Books 4 Kids

Author: Argyro Graphy Bentley Hippo
Who am I and what do I know about books? Well, not While some authors followed the path on the right I
much really - but I know a lot about life and how unfair went left. This move has led me to success and to
the world can be at times. I also know the pain and scars becoming an award-winning author.
that many carry and remain silent. Together with Bentley, we set out to encourage
My name is Argyro Graphy. I am a proud Canadian, children to be proud of who they are; to embrace
award-winning author of The Adventures of Bentley their differences; to find their inner strength,
Hippo Inspiring Children’s Series and the creator of celebrate their abilities and accept each other.
Bentley Hippo himself. I’m also referred to as Mrs. No Labels - Just Kids!
Bentley. If there was ever a time to be grateful for the simple
things you might be taking for granted - it is now.
Authors often comment at how my author journey seems Life can be perfect, as it was for me, and it can
all sunshine and glory, and shocked when they hear change at any time without warning.
otherwise. I am no stranger to obstacles, tragedies, and
traumas, and there have been many. For one, I know I don't look for pity or special treatment, and I'm
firsthand the effects of bullying. While some get over it certainly not the first, nor the last to be faced with a psychiatrist because she couldn't handle the bullying at school. She was 6! I could not believe that after
quickly, others carry scars for many years, well into their life-altering trauma. Despite my new daily struggles
adulthood. But the most devastated of all, is a routine I remain focused on my mission, and that will not The values that I was taught, kindness, respect, loyalty were replaced with this sense of entitlement and
eye procedure that went bad overnight, and I woke up change. I have very strong work ethics, and if
completely blind in one eye. something does not align with my mission or goal, I
simply walk away from it.
The life I knew and lived, would never be the same.
Be grateful for what you have and don't dwell on
If that devastation was not enough, I saw a huge shift in what you don't have. Don't compare yourself to
how people treated me. I was ridiculed, stared at, often others, you are unique and meant to be that way. Be
ignored, labelled to name a few. My worries and thankful for your abilities, strengths and talents and
concerns were much greater than the comments I don't stress about what you can't do (just find
learned to ignore. I had to adjust to my new reality. Living another way to do it) Be proud of who you are - just
with monocular vision. How on earth was I going to do as you are! No matter what life throws at you, know
this, when I felt like I was going to topple over each time I that it is okay to not be okay. A bad day is not a bad
stood up? The daily headaches and dizziness, the sharp life, look deep within yourself and find that inner
stabbing pain, the bright lights, and sunny days strength and move forward. Never Give Up! My
prevented me from leaving the house. This was not going disability does not define who I am. It took losing
to be an easy adjustment. I tackled every obstacle and my sight to see my vision, but there is no way that
challenge. Some days were manageable while others not my disability will defeat me.
so much. The comments however continued, and started
to bother me, some even spilled over in my author world. I want to thank all those that have welcomed
I couldn’t imagine a child going through this. Bentley into their classrooms, schools, homes and
Quitting was not an option. It’s not who I am. If the world in their hearts. It has been my absolute honor and
was going to throw obstacles at me, I needed to be pleasure working with educators and children from
prepared to respond with strength, courage, around the globe. In three short years, 2300 books
perseverance, and determination. One way or another, I have been donated and over 42,000 units sold -
was going to succeed. The only person that I needed to yeah! my disability is not winning this one!
explain anything to, was me. The only approval I was
seeking, was my own. This is when I decided to shift my My sincerest thanks to the authors that continue to
author direction. I gave each of my 5 characters a support my author journey, that take the time to
challenge, struggle, disability, difference (whatever you reach out to me and ask if I'm okay, and if I need
prefer to call it) in the hopes of 'normalizing' them in the help, and whose mission of spreading kindness and
eyes of children. A very bold move, as many gasped at making a difference is also at the forefront of their
this decision. author journey.
Argyro
Who is Bentley and where did he come from?
From a young age I doodled hoping to one day illustrate children's books but being Graphy &
bullied discouraged me. I thought of writing a children’s book, but that too was a
crushed dream. I got over it, so I thought. As the years went on, I climbed up corporate Bentley Hippo
ladders, earned myself awards, led teams to successful launches, events and
surpassed every sales target assigned. I even put a system in place (when I wasn't
asked to) with a big box retail chain that has since been implemented in all their stores
across Canada. I was the one that everybody wanted on their team. All fine and dandy,
but in my mind I still wanted to write and illustrate.
Sitting behind a desk in a corporate office I doodled, a lot (I really earned my paycheck
on those days) I never paid much attention to what I was drawing but they were always
the same each time. Fast forward many years and I started fine tuning one drawing that
turned into a character. Every time I looked it, I smiled.
As I was enjoying a coffee with a friend, she told me that her daughter had an appointment with a
some 40 years, bullying still existed and was getting worse. Maybe I just hadn't paid much attention.
intimidation. We needed to go back to basics, but how? This seemed like the perfect opportunity to write
my children’s book (notice I said one, I now have 62 published). What seemed like a great idea wasn’t, as
the flashbacks, the self-doubt and the insecurities crept to the front of my mind. Who would buy my book?
Who would even want to hear what I had to say? Without any formal literary or communications degree,
this was a dead end, until… I pulled out my character and had my AHA moment. If this little character can
put a smile on my face, then he can put a smile on others too. I continued with the tweaks and
transformed him into a cute, goofy-looking, little hippo. He would be the one to teach values and
important lessons, not me. He would be the one that children can find comfort in. And, with that said,
Bentley was born!
Bentley represents positivity, has zero tolerance for bullying and
just as I found comfort in him, so have thousands of children.
Bentley is empowering and inspiring children to be the best they
can be; to be kind; to respect and accept each other and not
judge, and to lend a helping hand to those that may need it.
Bentley is not a character created to fit the narrative of a picture
book. He represents a lot more than just being a bubbly green
hippo with cool running shoes. He represents struggles and
successes, compassion and empathy, perseverance and
resilience, diversity and inclusion, and is a role model for
positive change.
I'm often asked what my plans are for Bentley and my reply
Argyro Graphy, Bentley and remains, "I don't have plans for him, he has plans for me!"
our little side-kick, Jaxon
The world has hugged many bears over the years - but it's
time to hug a hippo! - Argyro Graphy