Paige Gallien, an 11-year-old resident, might be the youngest author in Chestermere with her self-published book, The Emojis Go Underwater. Paige, who has been creating her own books since she was five years old, recently showcased her work at the Chestermere Public Library. The library featured Paige’s first self-published book, The Emojis Go Underwater, which was inspired by her emoji-themed ninth birthday party.
That birthday party sparked Paige’s imagination, turning her love for emojis into a full-fledged book. The Emojis Go Underwater is now available for purchase and borrowing at the Chestermere Public Library, where Paige has sold six copies so far. While this is currently her only self-published book, Paige has also written fantasy stories, including The Lost Kitty in Paris and The Lost Kitty on an Island, though these are not yet published.
“It took me maybe like half a year—the writing, the typing, and then the printing and scanning of all the photos. Plus, at that time, I wasn’t the best at typing,” said Paige.
“She was probably like four or five years old when she started wanting to put her stories down,” said Paige’s mother. “But she always loved reading. She’s constantly working on something or trying to get her friends to work on books together. That’s what they do in the summer—sit outside and work on books. She’s inspired a lot of friends and kids to do the same thing.”
In her stories, Paige draws from her creativity and love for fantasy, often outlining a clear beginning, middle, and end before she starts writing. “Well, I don’t really like to read fantasies, but I like to write fantasy,” said Paige. She is currently working on her biggest fantasy book yet, further expanding her creative world with even more adventurous stories.
“I want to be an actual published author,” said Paige.
Chestermere residents are encouraged to visit the library and support their youngest local author. Paige’s passion for writing and her growing collection of work make her an inspiring figure in the community. Let’s help Paige continue her journey and achieve her dreams!
