Soaring Eagle's Book: A Journey of Healing from Trauma

Starting Conversations with Children About Trauma

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Valerie - Welcome to Bookworthy. Today, we're excited to talk with Soaring Eagle. Soaring Eagle has created a picture book that follows a young eagle accidentally hatched in a chicken coop. He spends his life trying to be a good chicken, but things go wrong until he escapes. He embarks on a journey of healing and discovery to find out who he really is. This sweet picture book is a great resource for any child struggling with their identity. Welcome to Bookworthy, Soaring Eagle.

Soaring Eagle - Hi! I'm thrilled to be here and to discuss being an eagle instead of a bad chicken.

Valerie - I've enjoyed looking through the book. The dynamic of chicken versus eagle is fascinating. I'm eager to hear more about it. But first, we have to ask the random question of the week: What is your favorite Halloween candy?

Soaring Eagle - I would say candy corn. It's the only time of the year I eat it. When you want pure sugar with a little starch mixed in, it's the perfect vehicle for lots of sugar.

Valerie - Yes, it is! In my house, only two people enjoy candy corn. My husband can't resist it. I'm a texture person, so I can't handle it. I can enjoy many candies, but not that one. I'll send all my candy corn your way!

Soaring Eagle - Thank you! I appreciate that. I'll enjoy every bit of it.

Valerie - Soaring Eagle, tell us more about your book, I Am Not a Bad Chicken.

Soaring Eagle - It's actually an autobiography in children's picture book form. It tells a journey of complex trauma. Many people don't understand trauma. Trauma is anything that leaves you feeling powerless or terrorized. Complex trauma distorts your identity over time. It can happen in adulthood, like in domestic violence situations. For children, it takes less intensity and time to create long-term distortions.

In this picture book, I share my story of being born into a cult commune. I spent 24 years trying to be a good chicken, but I was consistently a bad chicken. I struggled with neurodiversity and ADHD, which I wasn't diagnosed with until I was nearly 52. Understanding the difference between complex trauma and ADHD was crucial for my healing journey.

Valerie - That must have been enlightening. I have two kids with ADHD, and I'm discovering my own quirks that might indicate I have it too.

Soaring Eagle - Women are often diagnosed later because we present as avoidant ADHD, not hyperactive. We learn to mask our symptoms better than boys do. Many women aren't diagnosed until adulthood, while boys are identified earlier.

Valerie - Right. It's not something you outgrow. It shapes how you process the world. With trauma, there's a new era in Christianity where people are addressing these hard topics. What do you think has led the church to seek out trauma victims and help those who have experienced trauma?

Soaring Eagle - The #MeToo movement played a significant role in bringing these issues to light. High-profile Christian figures have been called out for misconduct, making it harder to ignore these topics. One in three women has experienced sexual abuse or domestic violence. I grew up in a church where many women hid their trauma. As I healed, I realized I needed to normalize these conversations.

Through this picture book, I aim to raise awareness about trauma and its impact on identity. Reading it helps parents discuss these topics with their children. Even if a child hasn't experienced trauma, they will understand that they are not defined by their circumstances. They have an intrinsic identity and purpose.

Valerie - I love that message. No matter your background, we all seek identity and purpose. If we root ourselves in the truth that we are made in the image of God, we find meaning in our actions. Your book steps into that space, addressing trauma responses that can lead to questioning identity.

Now, you've worked with both adults and children. What is the one message you want kids to take away from this book?

Soaring Eagle - You are not what has happened to you.

Valerie - That's so true. You are more than your circumstances. It's a sweet truth for kids to embrace.

Soaring Eagle - One of the biggest lies in trauma is believing you deserve what happened to you. Perpetrators often tell you it's your fault. But it's never your fault. You are not defined by your trauma. Just like the eagle in the story, who has been misunderstood, your identity remains intact.

He realizes his identity when he sees his reflection in the lake next to his father. He understands he is not a bad chicken; he is an eagle. This realization connects to our Creator, reminding us that we are made in His image.

Valerie - That message is so powerful. The eagle had a choice to escape. Many people feel trapped in their situations, but your book encourages kids to believe in themselves and claim their identity.

Soaring Eagle - Yes, the book shows that this isn't his first attempt to escape. Many people try to escape but feel like failures when they don't succeed. It's important to understand that escape is always possible, even if it takes time.

Sometimes, the escape is about setting internal boundaries. God meets us in our hearts, protecting our identity despite our circumstances. Healing is possible, and God creates ways for us to escape our situations. I was in an abusive marriage for 15 years, but God provided a way out.

Valerie - Soaring Eagle, did you always want to be an author?

Soaring Eagle - I never thought I could be an author, but I read books obsessively. Growing up without television, books were my only access to stories. I knew that if I wanted to share my message, books were the best medium. I published my first book in 2015, and now I have a picture book that speaks to children like my younger self.

Valerie - That's wonderful! It's amazing how God redeems our stories and allows us to communicate with kids who need hope. What was your favorite book, other than the Bible?

Soaring Eagle - That's tough! The Bible is my lifeline, but I also love classics like A Tale of Two Cities. I enjoy stories of intrigue and hardship where the hero overcomes challenges.

Valerie - That's amazing! Those stories must have given you hope. What can we expect next from you, Soaring Eagle?

Soaring Eagle - I'm hoping to tell the stories of other characters in the book. Each bird has a unique journey of finding their identity. I want to explore themes like bullying and damaging family dynamics.

Valerie - That sounds like a series that will resonate with many. Thank you for taking this step of faith and providing such meaningful content.

Soaring Eagle - We might even have an animated series in the works! If God wants it to happen, it will come to fruition.

Valerie - That's exciting! Where can people find out about your book?

Soaring Eagle - They can visit www.amazon.com and search for I'm Not a Bad Chicken by Soaring Eagle. It's a book for kids of all ages, reminding us that our past does not define us.

Valerie - We'll include that Amazon link in the description. Thank you for being with us today, Soaring Eagle.

And thank you for joining us on this episode of the Bookworthy Podcast. Check the show notes for any books or links we discussed. Let us know in the comments what your favorite Halloween candy is. Be sure to like and subscribe so we can discover more great books together.

Happy reading.