But before the empowering verses and vibrant pages. I learned there was a little girl with a pen, a journal, and a big imagination.
A Born Storyteller
Tonee’s journey as a writer didn’t start with a publishing deal — it began in the quiet corners of childhood. As an only child, she leaned into her inner world, crafting stories, writing poetry, and journaling her thoughts. This daily habit of self-expression became the foundation of a future author’s voice.
“I was always writing something,” she shares. “Stories, poems, journal entries. Writing was — and still is — my favorite way to process the world.”
Her love for language led her to self-publish her first poetry collection, In Search of Freedom, in 2021. With each year that followed, she released another book, honing her voice and discovering her true purpose as a writer.
A Mic and a Mission
2023 brought a transformative moment in her creative journey. After years of writing quietly, Tonee stepped onstage to perform spoken word poetry. The reaction was immediate and powerful — audience members resonated with her message, and many saw themselves in her words.
That experience lit a fire in her. She realized her writing could serve a bigger mission: empowering children to dream unapologetically.
That realization became the seed for Dream Big: A Poem for Young Dreamers — a lyrical ode to imagination, self-love, and the unshakable belief that anything is possible.
Why Literacy Is Power
For Tonee, storytelling isn’t just about creative expression — it’s about liberation.
“Reading is power,” she says. “Historically, literacy has been both a weapon of oppression and a tool of liberation. That’s why books, especially for young readers, matter so much.”
Through her work, she’s committed to giving children the tools to believe in themselves, to name their dreams, and to know their voices matter.
No One Is Coming to Save You
Tonee’s other standout book, No One Is Coming to Save You, is a bold and timely message for readers of all ages: your dreams are your responsibility.
“There’s no blueprint, no magical rescue,” she says.
“If you want something, you have to put in the work. That’s the only way.”
It’s a mindset she’s adopted herself. From learning the ins and outs of self-publishing to studying marketing and brand-building, Tonee is playing the long game. Her dream? To one day see her books filling stadiums and classrooms around the world.
Tonee’s Blueprint for Dreaming Big
If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure of your next step, Tonee offers this three-part framework:
1. Be Still
Turn off the noise. Silence your phone, your doubts, and the opinions of others. Tune in to your own inner wisdom.
2. Write It Down
Thoughts become things. Writing your dreams repeatedly makes them real and keeps them front-of-mind.
3. Block Out the Doubters
Dreams often look “crazy” until they come true. Keep going — even when others don’t see the vision.
Building a Legacy, One Page at a Time
Tonee Shelton is a reminder that dreaming big isn’t just for kids — it’s a lifelong pursuit. With each book she writes, she’s not only encouraging young readers to believe in themselves — she’s showing adults that it’s never too late to start.
So whether you’re six or sixty, let Tonee’s message sink in:
No one is coming to save you.
Your dream is your responsibility.
Write it down.
Show up daily.
And don’t stop until it’s real.
Check out the Video
Want to support Tonee’s work?
Grab your copy of Dream Big: A Poem for Young Dreamers and join the movement to uplift the next generation of creators, thinkers, and leaders.
Dive deep into the digital version of the Dream Big bedtime story as we give our little ones the words of affirmation…www.bettawatchyatone.com
Your hero is within you. Embrace your uniqueness and quirks and leverage being weird! It will save your life.www.bettawatchyatone.com
Talk to you later…
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