Paisley, Keeper of the Fire
A Story About Understanding Pain
by Tammy Lewis

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Pain can feel scary, especially when you’re small. But what if pain wasn’t something to fear at all? When Nautilus hears a quiet voice asking him to slow down, he follows it into a glowing cave where he meets Paisley, a gentle fire-keeper who helps him understand the signals his body is sending. At first, Paisley seems mysterious, even frightening. But as their friendship grows, Nautilus learns something powerful: pain isn’t an enemy, it’s a guide. Paisley, Keeper of the Fire is a warm, lyrical picture book told in gentle verse, designed to help children ages 3–9 learn how to listen to their bodies with curiosity, kindness, and care. Through magical imagery and soothing rhythm, this story introduces young readers to the idea that physical and emotional discomfort can be important messages, inviting rest, nourishment, communication, and compassion. Perfect for parents, educators, and caregivers, this book opens the door to meaningful conversations about: • Understanding pain and body signals • Self-care, rest, and healthy boundaries • Emotional awareness and empathy • Building trust in one’s own body Written with intention for shared reading, Paisley, Keeper of the Fire supports social-emotional learning and encourages children to see their bodies as wise allies rather than something to ignore or push through. Gentle, reassuring, and empowering, this story reminds children, and the adults who love them, that when we listen carefully, even pain can help guide us home.

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Tammy Lewis is a Canadian policy analyst, science communicator, and grandmother whose work centers on helping people better understand their bodies, their minds, and the signals that guide well-being. She lives in Canada with her family and is deeply inspired by her experiences as a mother and grandmother, particularly her bond with her grandson, Nautilus. With an academic background in health science and business administration, Tammy has spent her career working at the intersection of science, policy, and human-centered design. Her professional work focuses on accessibility, inclusion, and translating complex scientific concepts into language that people of all ages can understand and use in their everyday lives. Paisley, Keeper of the Fire was born from Tammy’s desire to give children a gentle, empowering way to understand pain, not as something to fear or ignore, but as an important signal worthy of care and compassion. Drawing on both her professional experience and her lived understanding of how children process physical and emotional sensations, she crafted this story to support meaningful conversations between children and the adults who care for them. When she isn’t writing or working on initiatives that bridge science and community well-being, Tammy enjoys creative storytelling, exploring nature, and imagining new ways to help families and communities build healthier more sustainable relationships with their environment. Paisley, Keeper of the Fire is her debut children’s book.

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Contributors

Author

Tammy Lewis

Illustrator

Usman