She wanted to cheer up her family. Now she’s a published author, at eight.

In the beginning, 8-year-old Ilyannie Robelle Tuason-Gonzalez only wanted to comfort her parents after a death in the family. Now she’s the author of a published children’s book.

Ilyannie’s grandfather passed away in March from COVID-19. Her family was grieving, and Ilyannie wanted to put a smile on their faces.

Seven years old at the time, Ilyannie got to work, and within three days wrote a children’s book titled “Pumpkin.” The story follows a horse on a farm and his connection with two young children.

“I just wrote it because it was the only thing to distract me because I was scared of this virus,” Ilyannie said. “At first, I was thinking I would write it to read it to my parents because I saw how sad my Mama was.”

Her family loved it, and decided to send the book to Ilyannie’s aunt, Laarni Tuason-Estrada. The aunt fell in love with the story, and she had connections. After making two calls, one to a publisher and one to an illustrator, she sent the children’s book on its first step to publication.

The book was published in September and can be found at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon.

A love for writing

Ilyannie is a student at Lighthouse Christian School of Gig Harbor. For fun she likes to go outside to garden, catch butterflies, and of course, write.

Even at such a young age, Ilyannie is no stranger to success.

At the age of six, Ilyannie won first place in Gig Harbor’s Arbor Day Essay and Art Contest. Last year she won first place in a novice-level spelling bee at Lighthouse Christian School.

“It’s always been my dream to publish one day, but I didn’t expect it to be right now at eight years old,” she said, giggling.

The two children in the book represent Ilyannie and her younger brother.

With a love for the outdoors, COVID has had an effect on the eight-year-old, especially during the early stages when leaving outside put people at a high risk. “Pumpkin” takes place in the outdoors, where Ilyannie loves to be.

“The setting takes me back to the place before the virus,” Ilyannie said. “I wrote this book to take me back, it relaxes me and makes me feel good.”

A birthday present

After reading her niece’s story, Tuason-Estrada had an idea. With connections to both a publisher and illustrator, Tuason-Estrada saw a possibility to give her niece the best birthday present ever.

Ilyannie, who turned eight in August, became a published author for her birthday. Sure, the present wasn’t fully realized until September, but it was well worth the wait.

After receiving the illustrations from her collaborator, the artist Jose Randell Velasco, Ilyannie was able to color them herself.

“I took about some weeks to color all 12 pictures,” Ilyannie said.

Ilyannie told her teachers about the book, and they promised to order a copy online. She has yet to tell her friends at school about her accomplishment.

Moving forward, Ilyannie plans to write more books, next aiming to write one up to 100 pages long.

Dedication

Ilyannie decided to dedicate her 32-page children’s book to her grandpa, who passed away in March from COVID.

The dedication reads “Grandpa, I still remember the first story you told me about an elephant, you named her Elephanta. I remember how you smile every time I sing, recite a speech or write a story. I remember you told Mama that I am like you whenever you are so proud of me. I remember every memory of you. I will do my best to make you proud. I am like you! I love you Grandpa. This book is for you.”

To purchase “Pumpkin,” go to Amazon.com and search under Books for “Pumpkin” or “Ilyannie.”