Diva-Naires Magazine

Reea Rodney migrated to the United States from Trinidad in 2006 to create a better life for her
family. She was pursuing a degree in pediatric nursing, but soon became ill. After months of
extensive testing for many different diseases, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. This
common chronic pain condition affects more than 5 million people in the United States,
primarily women.
Within the first two years of battling her illness, she made several healthy lifestyle changes and
slowly began to see some improvement in the way she felt. During this time, she decided to use
her years of experience as a mom, and her platform as a professional childcare provider, along
with her burning desire to educate children, to author a children’s book. Via her publishing
company, Dara Publishing, her first book, Juniper and Rose: Sisters First and Best Friends
Forever, was released in 2016.
Reea’s motivation for writing Juniper and Rose: Sisters First and Best Friends Forever
(available in English and Spanish) In her book, readers are introduced to twin sisters, Juniper
and Rose, who were best friends until differences in their interests began to pull them apart.
With the help of Mom and Dad, they learn that through acceptance, compromise, and
teamwork, their differences can be fun! “It’s easy is to see the differences between ourselves
and others, but it's harder to make sense of and appreciate these differences,” said Reea, “more
importantly, how to explain life changes and the value of diversity to our growing children.”
In addition, Reea has published Juniper and Rose Coloring and Activity Book and Juniper and
Rose: One More Bite Please. In this book, mom and dad are having a hard time encouraging
their girls to eat. Learn how a little creativity can go a long way during mealtime.