BIG FLATS, N.Y, (WENY) -- Finding inspiration to make a dream become a reality can often be a challenge, but for author Shelly Cadek, her inspiration to release a children’s book came from her youngest grandson.  

The story behind her first book titled, Today I am A Dinosaur, happened after a FaceTime call with her grandson who was giving his best impression of a dinosaur.  

“He was running around the house, he was running up behind his brother and his parents and scaring them and he kept yelling ‘today I'm a dinosaur’ and he would roar really loud, and it just came from that.” 

Inspired by her grandson’s impersonation, Cadek soon brought her idea to life.  

“So, I came up with the idea, wrote it all out just based on what I saw him doing, and then I reached out to several different publishing companies. I tried to find out who would be the best to work with. And finally settled on a company called Tellwell, which is out of Canada.” 

Soon after finding a publishing company to partner up with, she worked alongside an illustrator to give the book visuals for parents to show their children. After finalizing the creative details, her book hit several different platforms -- her book is now being sold in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. 

Cadek says she is now finalizing her second book that she plans to publish soon. 

“I'm just working now on illustrations, so once that's all ready, hopefully that'll be out.” 

Cadek will be at the Tioga Downs Winterfest on Nov. 25th from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. to sign and sell the newly released book, followed by an appearance at Pookie’s Little Britches located on 1344 College Ave, Elmira, NY on Dec. 16th .  

Today I am a Dinosaur can also be purchased as a hard cover or paperback online by visiting Amazon, Barnes and Noble., Bookshop, and Walmart.