For March Reading month, we are celebrating the joy of reading by highlighting GRPS Alum who are authors of children’s books. Tawngela Reynolds was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduating from Ottawa Hills High School class of 2000. Her book Change is Okay was written after she saw a need to address the concerns children had regarding COVID.

“Sometimes you have to make the best of change,” said Reynolds. “No one is immune to change, but we all have to face it. She encourages you to join Tiana, the character in this book, as she learns that even though some things have changed during the pandemic, she can still have fun.

Reynolds feels that being a GRPS alumna has helped her understand the importance of having real conversations with children. The more we educate the youth the more they can learn to adapt and deal with changes. She has always had a passion to help and teach others and create children’s books for special needs and general education students.

You can buy her book online through Reynolds Reading Resources or through Hudson Dawn Publishing. Hudson Dawn Publishing is a local Grand Rapids publishing company focused on producing captivating literature.

Reynolds is a graduate of Florida A&M University, but now resides and works in Chandler, AZ.