Everybody, at some point in life, has the experience of wishing they had trusted their instincts more. Perhaps they could have changed an outcome, avoided bad consequences, created something positive. Often it may have simply been a matter of speaking up at the right time. We are Brenda and Natalie Blackburn, a mother-daughter team creating a series of books to help teach small children the importance of speaking up for themselves. “Trust Your Instincts” is a work of love. Each book is a catalyst to open conversations about listening to that small voice inside your head, especially when that voice is telling you that something just does not feel right. We are creating a proactive program to empower children with the knowledge that it is always okay to talk about how they feel. The series helps parents assure their children that they are safe, loved, and that their parents, guardians, or other caring grownups are always available to listen and to help.

Author Brenda McCook-Blackburn began as an educator teaching Kindergarten. Later as a research analyst and a Professor of Sociology at a California State University, her research shows that a major threat to children’s safety comes from people they know. Secrecy keeps the damage alive. With TYI Brenda hopes to drive away this harmful secrecy. Natalie Blackburn, Author, is a tireless worker with various groups including lawmakers and the FBI to help protect children. She is a broker in Newport Beach, CA. In her rare spare time she loves to cook for friends or read at the beach. Illustrator Kim Wilson Brandt, lives on a river in a redwood forest in Santa Cruz. CA with her husband, daughter, and many pets. She loves to make and teach art. All profits from these books will be donated to groups and individuals fighting to create and enforce laws to protect the safety and innocence of children. See our site at www.candycricket.com.