Lila James wears many hats. In her personal life, she’s a devoted daughter, sister, friend, and a joyful mom-to-be. Professionally, Lila is a content creator, a designer, and a CEO with an unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit. Recently, she has added another achievement to her impressive list: she is now a published children’s author.
Her book, ‘Wonderfully Me,’ is currently available and follows a day in the life of Maya, a Bangladeshi girl who learns through observation and meaningful conversations that self-love is essential for everyone and that beauty is more than just skin deep.
Lila sat down for a conversation about Maya, the concept of self-love, and her exciting journey into motherhood. Here’s what she had to share.
A Message for All Ages
Lila James wrote ‘Wonderfully Me’ for children, but its core message resonates with adults too. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on self-love and cultivating unapologetic confidence. This theme has been a constant in everything I do. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to help individuals unlearn harmful beauty standards and erase the conditioning that made them doubt their beauty,” Lila explains. “Then I thought, ‘What if I could help young minds learn the right messages from the beginning, so they don’t have to unlearn anything later? It’s like nurturing the trunk of a tree rather than just addressing the branches.’ I aimed to create a tool that speaks to both the adult reader and the child learner.”
Celebrating Bengali Heritage
Lila’s Bengali heritage is beautifully reflected throughout ‘Wonderfully Me.’ “As a child, I loved reading, but the main characters rarely resembled me or my experiences. This lack of representation made me feel different in a way that wasn’t celebrated. I believe this book would have made a significant impact on my childhood had I seen someone like me and my culture honored in literature. That’s why I included Bangla words and a glossary at the end. I wanted to celebrate an underrepresented community and hope that children everywhere feel recognized through the text and the stunning illustrations by Amina Rahman,” Lila shares. “Representation is crucial, and children need to see themselves reflected positively.”
Maya’s Journey
Maya is a vibrant character, yet she mirrors Lila’s own childhood experiences. “I wrote this for my future child and for my younger self,” Lila states. “The events that Maya experiences are drawn from my life. While not every detail is the same, I remember watching my mother and sister worry about their appearance, questioning if their outfits made them look overweight. I included this in Maya’s story because it was a significant part of my reality,” she explains. “At the end of the book, there’s a conversation between Maya, her parents, and her sister that I wish I had with my family when I was growing up. It provides the closure I needed and conveys that choosing confidence is the most courageous act in a world that often promotes insecurity.”
Inclusivity in Literature
Maya’s classmate, Sam, uses they/them pronouns, a choice Lila made to ensure ‘Wonderfully Me’ is inclusive for children who may not see themselves represented in traditional literature. “I know there are kids like Sam who might not feel safe or have the opportunity to express themselves fully. I wanted to create a character that allows those children to feel seen. If I can help people feel free and celebrated, then I consider that a job well done,” Lila states proudly.
Hopes for the Future
Lila has high hopes for ‘Wonderfully Me’ and for Maya’s journey. “I want readers to understand the value of discussing self-love and how our words about ourselves influence the curious minds around us,” she explains. “Teaching children to love themselves can be one of the most powerful gifts we give them. I hope this book sparks conversations, allows people to connect with Maya and her journey, and celebrates Bengali culture in a way that hasn’t been done before. I’m grateful for this opportunity and hope it’s just the beginning for Maya.”
A Personal Journey
Maya isn’t the only character Lila James has brought to life this year. Lila and her partner, Jordan, are expecting their first child, a daughter, in 2022. “I experienced a pregnancy loss in June after a long journey of infertility that lasted over five years. Losing that pregnancy shattered my heart, especially since I only got to experience the joy for a short time. I felt devastated, but just a couple of weeks later, I was blessed once again with a rainbow pregnancy. It was life-changing to receive this news when I felt so broken. It felt like a miracle,” Lila shares, her voice filled with hope and joy. “It’s truly incredible how life can change so quickly.”
‘Wonderfully Me’ by Lila James, illustrated by Amina Rahman, is available now wherever books are sold.
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In summary, ‘Wonderfully Me’ by Lila James is a heartfelt children’s book that addresses self-love and representation, encouraging both young readers and adults to embrace their unique beauty. Through the journey of Maya, Lila hopes to inspire conversations about self-acceptance and nurture confidence in the next generation.