Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Caldwell Westbrook
Hi Jenny, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Creativity has always been a part of me. Some of my earliest memories involve painting, designing, or dreaming up projects. When I was six, I proudly loaded up a wagon with paintings I had created and sold them to neighbors. At the time, it felt like a huge accomplishment—until my adopted mother scolded me and called my work “trash.” That moment silenced my creativity for years as far as painting and drawing went, but I didn’t fully understand how much it shaped me all a round until much later in life.
A few years ago, I faced a series of significant challenges that made me reevaluate everything. Writing *Bazookabaloo Just Had to Believe* began as a creative outlet—something personal for my kids, a way to pass on something meaningful to them. I wanted to create something just for them, inspired by the lessons I had learned in my own life.
Then, something incredible happened. A chance encounter with my favorite children’s author gave me the encouragement and confidence to move forward with the book and transform it into something much bigger. That moment felt like a sign—a push to step into a new chapter of my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. Growing up with a narcissistic adopted mother meant my childhood was spent surviving rather than thriving. It taught me how to adapt, but it didn’t teach me self-worth, creativity, or how to dream without fear. Those lessons came much later in life, and by then, they were much harder to learn.
Later, I found myself in a narcissistic marriage as well, which reinforced many of the same patterns I had experienced growing up. It wasn’t until my life began to unravel that I realized how deeply those experiences had shaped me. A few years ago, I was also diagnosed with neuro Lyme disease, something I’d unknowingly battled for seven years. Around the same time, I uncovered family secrets that completely shifted my perspective on everything I thought I knew.
These experiences were incredibly difficult, but they also forced me to pause, reflect, and rebuild. It was during this time that I rediscovered my love of creativity, which became my outlet for processing pain and channeling it into something meaningful. I am choosing to turn my pain into purpose and hope to help others with it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What started as a personal project for my kids has grown into **Polkadot Pickle Books**, a series designed to inspire families and children to embrace creativity, gratitude, and positivity. The first book, *Bazookabaloo Just Had to Believe*, shares an important message about finding happiness and gratitude right where you are. It’s a lesson that is deeply personal to me, and I hope it resonates with readers.
Since then, I’ve expanded the series to include **A View Into Gratitude**, a full-color mindful journal and activity book for kids. It’s designed to help children and families capture moments of joy and self-reflection in a fun, creative way. I’m also working on **Book 2: Nellielou’s Song**, which is set to launch in early 2025, along with artistic prints and an inspirational merchandise line I am hoping to offer a little something for everyone.
Through my work, I want to create more than just books. I want to spark a movement where these “polkadots” become symbols of peace, love, creativity, gratitude, kindness, and self-love. I believe that by embracing these values, we can make meaningful changes in the world—one polkadot at a time.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that creativity can be healing. Writing *Bazookabaloo Just Had to Believe* started as something for my kids, but it reminded me of the joy and purpose in storytelling. It became more than a project—it became a way to connect, heal, and inspire others.
Another important lesson is that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. My childhood didn’t teach me self-love, but as an adult, I’ve worked hard to unlearn the patterns that held me back. That process hasn’t been easy, but it’s given me a deeper appreciation for kindness, resilience, and the importance of embracing who you authentically are.
Finally, I’ve learned that dreams exist for a reason. Kids dream without limitations, and I believe we should nurture that. If your kids have dreams, explore them with them—it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
Through **Polkadot Pickle Books**, I hope to inspire families and children to embrace values like peace, love, creativity, gratitude, kindness, and self-love. These “polkadots” represent small, meaningful, daily choices that can ripple outward and create a better world for us all. Together, we can change the world—**one polkadot at a time.**
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.polkadotpicklebooks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polkadopicklebooks/profilecard/?igsh=ZzhsMGw1YzUzajRs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polkadotpicklebooks/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@polkadotpicklebooks
