Shani Z. Nesmith
AUTHOR

Shani Z. Nesmith

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Shani Z. Nesmith is a passionate storyteller, solo mom, and the creative mind behind Bakari’s Brave Heart. She has always believed in the power of stories to inspire, uplift, and teach important life lessons. With a background in Animal Science and a love for animals, Shani has chosen to primarily tell stories through members of the Animal Kingdom. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Shani was constantly playing with animals, and her parents allowed her to own several pets. From fish, to hamsters, a ferret, and canines, etc. These early experiences ignited a passion for animals, and she has always enjoyed writing short stories, leading to the creation of enchanting worlds where young readers can embark on meaningful adventures. Inspired by her father, who always taught her that you can learn anything if you’re willing to read, research, and stay determined, Shani carries that same self-taught spirit into her creative work today. That belief gave her the confidence to illustrate her own books and teach herself AI tools and graphic design software—allowing her stories to come to life exactly as she imagines them. In Bakari’s Brave Heart, Shani introduces readers to a vibrant African jungle. Shani can relate to Bakari in the story, because she was always "the little one", but thankfully was not bullied because her friends stood for her and would not allow it. Through relatable characters and engaging narratives, Shani aims to empower children to embrace their unique qualities and stand up for what is right. Shani is also the creator of Cookie the Detective, a clever and curious beagle inspired by a name she nearly gave her real-life dog. The series reflects Shani’s love for mysteries, animals, and creating strong, smart characters that young readers can root for. Cookie’s sidekick, Blaze, was loosely inspired by a unique blue, tan, and white beagle pup that almost joined the family. When not crafting stories, Shani enjoys working in Finance, reading, taking walks with her Beagle, and family time and game nights with her daughter, all of which continue to inspire new tales and adventures. Shani currently resides in North Central Florida, and plans to release future stories with companion coloring books and other goodies. Shani looks forward to sharing many more adventures of Bakari and other characters with readers around the world.
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