It's a feeling most adults remember too—the fear of being different, the worry about what others might think, and the temptation to hide the very things that make us unique.

That's the heart of How Mae Got Moxie, a children's book by author Jennifer Hallman that uses the story of a young hedgehog to explore courage, confidence, kindness, and self-acceptance.

Meet Mae

Mae is a young hedgehog who moves to a new school and hopes to make friends. Like many children entering unfamiliar situations, she quickly begins to wonder whether being herself is the best way to fit in.

As she tries harder to blend in, she slowly starts losing the parts of herself she once loved most.

Her creativity.

Her confidence.

Her colorful spirit.

Through Mae's journey, readers discover an important lesson: true belonging doesn't come from hiding who you are. It comes from embracing it.

A Message for Kids—and Adults

While the book is written for children, Hallman believes its message resonates just as deeply with parents.

Many adults still wrestle with the same fears they experienced as children. The fear of judgment, rejection, or failure can continue to influence decisions long into adulthood.

Hallman hopes that young readers absorb this lesson early, while also encouraging parents to reflect on their own journeys toward authenticity and courage.

Born from a Kindness Movement

The inspiration behind the book extends far beyond the pages themselves.

During a close friend's cancer journey, Hallman began creating hand-painted kindness cards to encourage the people helping along the way.

What started as a small gesture quickly grew into something much larger.

Over the course of a year and a half, Hallman distributed more than 8,000 handmade cards, sparking what she now describes as a kindness movement.

The experience reinforced a powerful truth:

Making Kindness Tangible

One of Hallman's favorite aspects of the project is showing children that kindness doesn't have to be complicated.

A handmade card.

A thoughtful note.

A simple act of encouragement.

These small actions can have a lasting impact on someone else's day—and often inspire that person to pay kindness forward.

Schools that have hosted readings of How Mae Got Moxie have even created their own versions of kindness cards, helping students turn the book's message into action.

The Importance of Loving Yourself

At its core, the story isn't just about being kind to others.

It's also about learning to accept and appreciate yourself.

Hallman believes that genuine compassion begins with self-acceptance. When people understand their own value, they become more capable of extending kindness and empathy to those around them.

Mae's journey reminds readers that every person is uniquely created and has something valuable to contribute to the world.

A Simple Message Worth Remembering

If readers take only one lesson away from the story, Hallman hopes it's this:

It's Mae's signature phrase, but it's also the foundation of the movement that inspired the book.

In a world that often encourages conformity, How Mae Got Moxie offers a different path—one built on courage, creativity, kindness, and the confidence to be exactly who you were created to be.