Way Alumnae Release Children’s Book, The Worry Wags

If you stopped by the Little Free Library at Way Elementary this fall, you may have picked up a copy of The Worry Wags, a children’s book featuring a dog that focuses on emotional well-being. Author Kiki Pape and illustrator Ellyana Wills are former Way students and graduates of Bloomfield Hills High School’s Class of 2021.

Pape and Wills became friends at a young age while at Way. “We’re both really creative people, so we kind of gravitated toward each other,” said Pape. Wills showed an early passion for art and always envisioned herself as an artist, excelling in visual art classes at BHHS. Pape’s love of writing, however, emerged a bit later. In fact, Pape struggled with reading as an elementary student, and now credits the staff at Way for helping her overcome those challenges. It wasn’t until high school that Pape’s passion for writing emerged.

Pape went on to study creative writing at the University of Colorado Boulder, which is where the idea for The Worry Wags took root. Once a shy child who wrestled with her own anxiety, Pape wanted to normalize worry and offer young readers simple, compassionate ways to cope. When it came time to bring the story to life with illustration, she knew Wills was the perfect creative partner, herself a graphic design student at Loyola University Chicago.

Currently, Wills is a graphic designer for Ghafari Associates and continues to create art in her spare time. Pape is a Brand Voice Strategist with Detroit Promotions, and occasionally visits classrooms to read The Worry Wags, including a visit to Stacia L'Huillier’s kindergarten class in November. During her readings, Pape helps students navigate emotions and also shares her own story, reminding them that even if reading is a struggle at first, don’t give up - it can “click” later on. 

More information about The Worry Wags can be found at https://www.theworrywags.com/.