This post was originally published on here
Meet the Northampton mother who released her first children’s book on the power of kind words and the value of love within families, inspired by her own son.
Diana V. Florea published ‘Matei and Bulgăraș – The Magic of Christmas Words’ in December 2025, which is already available in libraries and bookshops in Northampton and beyond.
“My first book was inspired by the importance of words, and the quiet that exists behind them,” Diana told the Chronicle & Echo.
“My son Matei began speaking later than most children and his first word mama was said on Christmas Day. That special moment stayed with me and became the heart of the story.
“Through my child, I learned how powerful silence can be – but also how much warmth and love words bring into a family. I wanted the book to reflect both.”
The story was originally written in Romanian as a gift to children from Diana’s home country who are growing up all over the world. It is now available globally through online platforms, allowing families everywhere to access the book.
Diana wrote poetry as a teenager, years before her calling to create her first children’s book, as writing has always been a way to express her emotions and reflect.
“I realised I could leave something positive behind through books,” said Diana. “Something that touches both little hearts and big ones.”
The first book took six months to complete, from writing to carefully developing the illustrations. A lot of heart, time and dedication went into every detail, before it was self-published through Diana’s independent imprint Editura Bulgaras.
Since the release, feedback has been “incredibly encouraging” and after many people asked about her next book, this gave Diana the confidence to continue creating a series called ‘The World of Matei’.
The first book is available to read at Northampton’s Central Library and can be purchased through various online platforms, including Amazon, Browns Books, Waterstones, Powell’s Books and Barnes & Noble.
Diana said: “Seeing my book in libraries and shops has been an incredibly emotional and motivating experience. It encourages me to give even more of myself to my writing and to continue creating meaningful stories.”
In March, Diana is releasing her second children’s book ‘Matei and Bulgăraș – The Heart with Two Colours’. This gentle story focuses on acceptance and emotions, helping children recognise their feelings.
The book will be published as a bilingual Romanian-English edition and Diana began work on this while the illustrations for the first book were in the works. The stories grew in parallel.
“Most of my inspiration arrives in the quiet moments after my child has fallen asleep at night,” said Diana. “The books are born from emotion, dreams and hope – hoping that what I put on paper will be embraced by readers of all ages.
“While the first book centres on kindness and the power of words, the second explores emotional awareness and self-acceptance. Together, both stories aim to teach empathy, understanding and emotional growth.”
Diana hopes her stories are ones that readers will remember even as adults, and help shape them into kind and compassionate individuals.
