Description

Remedial teacher Jessica Da Silva has released a beautiful book for children that was inspired by the children in her life.
Mom to two little girls – five-year-old Isla and three-year-old Mila, Jessica has taught at Maris Stella (where she herself attended high school) for the last 11 years. She says writing a book has been a dream since she was very young. “I’m an avid reader and going into book stores and seeing all the beautiful books is always a treat,” she says. “As a young mom, I collected books for my own girls from way before they were even born. Books by Julia Donaldson were always my favourite and I was inspired to write something that both the children I teach and my own children would love and choose over and over again.”

Jessica explains that as a remedial teacher, the children she works with don’t always fit into a certain mould. “They often have difficulty in the classroom, but over the years I’ve realised these children are often the ones who are super creative and who would shine on stage!” she says.

Jessica’s book, Hanna Holly: The Dancing Hippo, was inspired largely by her students. “I want children to believe in themselves and never let people underestimate them because with hard work, determination and self-belief I truly believe they can do anything,” she explains.