We would like to introduce Olivia Weaver, a passionate young lady who is making great strides in her community and the world-at-large. Olivia recently wrote and illustrated a children’s book, Lucy’s Big Idea for her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which is the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn!

Lucy’s Big Idea is a children’s book about a girl name Lucy who becomes friends with Melody, a new student who is hearing impaired. Throughout the story, Lucy and Melody experience the joy of creating a new friendship, and Lucy learns the importance of communicating with Melody through sign language. Additionally, Lucy discovers the significance of not being quick to judge someone and  that our uniqueness should be celebrated and not feared. Lucy’s Big Idea is a story centered on friendship and kindness.

Unlike Melody’s character, Olivia is not hearing impaired but has a passion for American Sign Language. Olivia is currently attending SCAD Savannah; so, her sign language lessons have been put on hold due to school work.  With that said, Olivia plans to continue her lessons during her summer break!

We have kindly asked Olivia to share with us a bit more about her book and what kindness means to her. Please read on to learn the impetus behind her book and how kindness has impacted Olivia.

Olivia, what does kindness mean to you?
To me, kindness simply means reaching out to someone to show that you care. It can be something small like smiling or just by letting someone know that you are there for them. Kindness is a quality that has a great effect on people – further than anyone knows.

Can you describe a time kindness has made an impact on you?
Well to start, I am a freshman in college. It can be a scary thing to come to a place where you do not know many people and you are far from home. Simply receiving a wave or smile from a fellow student or classmate goes a long way for me. When I am having a bad day, I can always count on my friends to be there for me and help me with whatever I am going through.

What inspired you to write your book?
I really wanted to create something that involved drawing. I love art and storytelling; so, combining both was obvious to me from the start. I began considering a story featured on kindness and chose to focus on the deaf community as I’m fascinated with sign language. Moreover, a dear lady in my church is suffering from hearing loss. I could not help but think what it would be like to not hear and not have people understand you, especially as a kid. Everyone is created unique, special, and beautiful. We just need to take time to get to know each other, care, and be kind. I wanted to create something positive that would teach children – or anyone – an optimistic message that they could apply to their daily life.

Olivia, what is your one wish for the world?
I hope that people will continue to spread hope and kindness to the world that we live in. With so much negativity in the world right now, it is important that people remember that we are all human and that we all deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

Olivia shared her story with us in pursuit to spread her message of kindness. You too can make a difference with your own acts of kindness! To continue the kindness, please join The Great Kindness Challenge – Family Edition to engage your household in intentional kind acts, such as making a new friend or welcoming a new neighbor! To learn more, please visit The Great Kindness Challenge.