Lifelong friends Chastity (Fisher) Jeff and Cara (Syferd) Owings, both Fayette natives, have published the first in what is expected to be a series of children’s books with Be You. The illustrated book is aimed at readers from two to seven years of age and celebrates the magic of friendship while promoting the value of self-acceptance, courage, and kindness.

Jeff and Owings grew up together in Fayette, later attending Central Methodist University, and have a passion for inspiring young minds.

“We wanted to create a story that reflects our own experiences and highlights the joy of friendship and the lessons that come from understanding our similarities and differences,” Owings said.

Be You follows the journey of two little girls who, while different in their own ways, embrace their unique qualities and discover the strength of their friendship. Through engaging affirmations like “Be adventurous,” “Be kind,” and “Be brave,” the book encourages young readers to appreciate their individuality and recognize the beauty in diversity. With vibrant illustrations and a heartfelt message, Be You is an excellent addition to any child’s collection and a powerful tool for parents and educators who wish to instill important lessons about confidence and genuine connection.

Chastity and Cara’s story as authors began with their enduring friendship of more than four decades, starting in the early years at Daly Elementary School and evolving through life’s many stages. Through this friendship, the two women learned the importance of embracing differences and supporting one another. 

“Our hope is to inspire young readers to cherish their friendships and to grow together in kindness and confidence,” said Jeff.

Be You marks the first in an expanding series aimed at empowering children of all ages. Upcoming releases include a book for readers aged eight to 10, which will delve deeper into life lessons with more engaging content, as well as an inspiring journal for teens filled with reflective prompts for self-discovery.

The authors donated copies of Be You to the Daly Elementary and Howard County libraries. The book is also available for purchase on Amazon.com for $9.99 or $5.99 on Kindle.

Through the BeYou series, the authors aim to share the important life lessons learned over their decades-long friendship and encourage children to celebrate their individuality and build meaningful, supportive relationships.