Preface

For this story, I chose to write a children’s book based on a real-life, inspiring journey. In children’s books, characters often face challenges and learn simple lessons. My story follows this idea, but I wanted to go a little deeper. The character, Netta, doesn’t have an easy path to reach her dream. Instead, I focused on how important it is to keep going, grow as a person, and appreciate the love and support around us along the way.

I want children to understand that the process of working toward a dream is just as important as the dream itself. Things won’t always go as planned, and there will be hard moments, but having people who care about you can help you keep going. 

Netta isn’t just chasing success—she’s also learning about herself and the importance of the people around her.

In the story, I used bright, energetic colors to show the excitement of her journey. As she grows emotionally, the colors become softer, showing how she changes and learns what truly matters. The people she meets and the lessons she learns along the way are symbols of how dreams are shaped by connections and the love we give and receive.

I hope children take away the message that chasing dreams is important, but it’s also important to value the journey and the people who support you.

Chapter 1:  San Francisco

Netta was a 19-year-old girl with a big dream: she wanted to be a singer. One day, she packed her bags and flew all the way to San Francisco to audition for "American Idol." As her plane soared high in the sky, Netta could hardly believe it—she was on her way to chase her dream.

Chapter 2: The Cow Palace

The plane landed, and Netta was so excited! After she settled into her room she began to feel anxious about the audition. Remembering a good key of advice from her dad/manager about being on time and prepared, she wanted to get a head start on where to go and what to do the next day. She took a cab to the Cow Palace to execute these plans, upon arrival she discovered thousands of people waiting to get a wristband and ticket to audition just like her. She did not want to miss the opportunity to audition, so she told the cab driver to take her back to the room where she took her luggage and comforter off the bed as she proceeded to go back to the Cow Palace. 

Scared out of her mind while taking a leap of faith, she decided to sleep on the parking lot pavement in the misty rain yards away from the golden gate bridge, with over a thousand others, hoping to get the chance to shine the next day.

Chapter 3: Thank You For Being A Friend

After finding a spot and settling in, Netta made friends with a group of people who were also waiting for a wristband to audition. One of them was a boy who looked just like Justin Timberlake! But he wasn’t there to audition. He was supporting his girlfriend, who was hoping to make it on the show. She also met a kind man named Jeane who invited her to go to Fisherman’s Wharf with a group of other contestants after the auditions. 

Each wondering and waiting on what the next day will entail. They all laughed while sharing stories about their lives, they even jokingly tried to convince Steve (aka Justin Timberlake) to audition until they all fell asleep on the damp pavement snuggled up in sleeping bags and sheets. Netta felt excited, even though she was nervous about the big audition ahead.

Chapter 4: The Audition

The next day everyone woke up to lines being formed, as individuals received their tickets and wristbands. Afterwards, everyone was advised to return later to start auditioning. Netta took this time to return back to her room and freshen up. Later she would be one of the many contestants auditioning for an opportunity of a lifetime.