Page 42 - Elite Books 4 Kids

Author: Argyro Graphy Bentley Hippo

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