Zayalee Haynes: Children’s Author

Nine-year-old Zayalee Haynes is a small girl with a big smile and big feelings. She has captured those feelings in a picture book that she hopes will help other children. Zayalee will be a fifth grader at Victory Christian School in the fall. We talked about her children’s book, Joy Wins, and why she felt a need to write it. The back cover text says, “Joy Wins is a heartfelt children’s book that offers hope to those navigating difficult times or coping with loss…Joy Wins is a reminder that no matter the obstacles we face, joy ultimately triumphs, illuminating our path and inspiring us to share its warmth with the world.”

TK: Tell us why you wrote this book.

Zayalee: My mom wrote a book, and I want to be like her when I grow up. I started asking my mom about writing a book when I was 5 years old. I wrote Joy Wins because I want any child who is depressed or going through illness to be happy and joyful.

Zayalee’s mom: [The book] was something I had to take upon myself, too. We went through profound loss last year, and the idea of writing the book kept coming up.

TK: Can you talk about who you lost?

Zayalee: My bonus (step) dad and my great grandma. I felt sad and mad and depressed to lose those people I loved so much.

TK: How did writing the book help you?

Zayalee: It made me feel happy to express my feelings to the rest of the world, and it helped me.

TK: How did you come up with the idea of the two hearts in the book?

Zayalee: When I watch movies, I see the action. I like Tom & Jerry and comedy movies and crime scenes. I like to try to figure out what happened. In my book, there’s a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Joy (the angel heart) and the other heart are fighting. One heart is trying to defeat the other heart, and Joy wins.

I also get ideas from my mom, my friends and God.

TK: How did it feel to see your book finished?

Zayalee: I had just turned 9. My mom said, “Your proof books are coming in.” I said, “I just want to see my book!” I was so excited! My mom was crying, and she said, “Oh, my gosh, I’m so proud of you.”

TK: You’re only 9, but you’ve had some sad things happen in your life. What would you tell other kids who are feeling sad?

Zayalee: When you feel depressed or sad, I would tell you to be happy. Look up to God. Let God encourage you. I talk to God when I feel sad. I’ll keep on praying about it.

Sometimes I’ll sit in a corner when I feel sad. I’ll play with fidgets. I’ll talk to my mom and a therapist about my feelings.

TK: Who do you look up to?

Zayalee: I look up to God, my mom and my dad.

TK: What advice do you have for kids who might want to write a book or try something new?

Zayalee: Keep going when you feel like you can’t do anything. When somebody tells you to stop, don’t listen to them.

TK: What places in Tulsa do you like to go to?

Zayalee: Cinergy Tulsa – the escape room. I also like to go to Climb Tulsa. And Gathering Place – they have good ice cream. The Botanic Garden. I liked the LEGO sculptures there.

TK: Do you have a fun fact to share?

Zayalee: I like to make people laugh. Once I told everybody in the movie theater that it was my mom’s birthday and to sing Happy Birthday to her. And I was born in Miami, Florida.

 Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years.