By: Seraphina Quinn 

Today’s children grow up in a world of boundless information. With the internet at their fingertips, many young people are becoming well-informed and tech-savvy at an early age. They possess a curiosity about the world and an impressive sense of initiative matched with creativity and drive.

Norah Carminda Desy, a seven-year-old author and second-grader, is a living example of this trend through her book Did You Know?: Facts by Norah. With her curiosity and unique perspective, Desy has created an educational and entertaining book containing knowledge about animals, science, and grammar in a way only a young mind could capture.

Discovering Norah Carminda Desy: The Author’s Journey

Norah Carminda Desy is a bright, thrill-seeking second grader who lives in a small town. Her adventures and playful spirit fuel her creativity. Like many kids, she finds joy in simple things like running a lemonade stand with friends and playing tag with her pets and friends.

Norah loves spending time with her dog, Molly, a yellow lab. Her past dog, Wiggles, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, also holds a special place in her heart.

Norah’s writing is greatly inspired by what she does in a day. She’s an explorer at heart who loves roller coasters, kickboxing, indoor skydiving, and jet skiing. She also spends a lot of time with her family, hiking with her Grandpa Frank, cooking with her dad, and creating art with her mom and Grammy Kay.

For Norah, creativity runs through everything she does, whether making furniture for her lemonade stand or collecting rocks on nature walks. She sees the world differently, finding magic in everything.

Through her book, Norah shares this unique perspective with others, bringing her imagination, humor, and passion for learning to life. As part of her journey, Norah has also chosen to save the proceeds from her book sales for her future, with the goal of attending college.

Norah’s Fun and Inspiring Exploration of Facts and Curiosity

Did You Know? Facts by Norah is a unique blend of educational content and light-hearted reading.

In the book, Norah shares her favorite facts about animals, science, grammar, inspirational messages, and some funny quotes by her. The book encourages young readers to explore new ideas, learn fun facts, and enjoy expanding their knowledge.

Norah’s voice is clear and genuine, making it feel like she’s speaking directly to other kids. She shows them that learning can be fun and rewarding.

Norah’s favorite chapter might be the one dedicated to inspiration, where she encourages readers to dream big and reminds them, “You can do the same thing we’re doing! We’re doing it to help people. And you should know that you can do anything that you dream!“

Through this message, Norah hopes her book can inspire other children to believe in their potential and explore their interests.

Crafting a Story with Inclusivity in Mind

Inclusivity is what Norah and her mother, who helped her create the book, chose as the book’s theme.

Norah initially wanted the book’s illustrations to look like her, but after reflecting on what diversity means, she and her mother worked to include a variety of characters. With her mom’s help, Norah learned that diversity is not only about ethnicity but also includes differences in abilities, experiences, and backgrounds.

Together, they revised the book to include kids who use wheelchairs, wear glasses, or have unique hairstyles. Norah considered it important that everyone who read her book could see a part of themselves in its pages, no matter who they are or what makes them unique.

A Unique Approach to Writing

Norah’s writing process was just as unique as her book. Every night, she would share ideas with her mom before bed, who then recorded Norah’s thoughts on her phone. It took Norah a full year to complete Did You Know?: Facts by Norah, working steadily from first grade to the beginning of second grade. Her dedication and love for sharing knowledge shine through each page, making her journey as meaningful as the final product itself.

Memorable Reviews and Responses

Norah’s readers have responded with enthusiasm, and her reviews reflect the strength of her story and her distinct voice. A reader, Kim Foster, described Norah’s book as:

“A light-hearted, insightful book written by the lovely Norah! Inspiring! A perfect model for any kid with similar ambitions!”

Another, Courtney Ann Myers, shared that her children:

“Loved the bright graphics and facts, often laughing out loud.”

This feedback is particularly heartwarming to Norah, who hopes her book inspires children and adults alike to find joy in learning.

Adrian Westwood, another reviewer, praised Norah’s book for going

“beyond just sharing facts, encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Norah’s personal anecdotes and reflections, especially in the sections about inspiration and funny quotes, add a heartwarming and genuine touch.”

Through Did You Know?: Facts by Norah, Norah hopes to share her passions with readers. She wants children to feel like they’ve learned something new and had fun along the way. Her message to readers is simple yet powerful: embrace learning, approach the world with curiosity, and don’t be afraid to dream big.

What’s Next for Norah

Norah’s writing journey is just beginning. She is already working on another fact book, Did You Know?: Facts by Norah 2, which is dedicated to her late dog Wiggles.

She also hopes to write a book about her beloved Wiggles one day, sharing stories from when he was still alive. Dogs are Norah’s favorite animals, and she can’t imagine a world without them.

As Norah grows, her unique voice and perspective will undoubtedly make her a role model for other young readers and writers alike.

With Did You Know?: Facts by Norah, Norah Carminda Desy is an inspiring example of the creative, thoughtful children growing up today. Her journey as an author has just begun, and she hopes to inspire others to see the world through a lens of curiosity, joy, and possibility. 

Published by Liana P.