Press Kit & Speaker Information

Bringing Stories to Life
for Every Child

Cathy Gagliardi of Twinkling Lynx has a gift for connecting with children — through books, through her voice, and through the gentle magic of storytelling. She visits schools, libraries, hospitals, and organizations that support families, reading aloud and sparking conversations that stay with children long after the story ends.

If your organization works with children — especially neurodivergent young ones and the families who love them — Cathy would be honoured to connect.

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Cathy Gagliardi, children's author and speaker

Cathy Gagliardi · Author, Speaker & Certified Coach
Hamilton, ON, Canada

About the Author

Cathy Gagliardi

Cathy Gagliardi of Twinkling Lynx is passionate about writing stories for children and sharing those stories directly with young people through school visits, hospital programs, and organisations around the world. Her books — including her beloved Bellyflies series and Gonna Build a Boat — help children find words for the moments when they feel anxious, nervous, scared, or sad.

Born from personal experience and refined through real family connection, Cathy's work has grown into the Bellyflies Method™ — a compassionate, practical framework developed through her work as a certified coach supporting parents of neurodivergent children. The method gives families a shared emotional language and proven tools that reduce daily stress and deepen connection.

Cathy's mission is simple and deeply felt: to put the right books and tools in the hands and homes of children everywhere. She believes that when children learn to navigate uncomfortable feelings early, those skills grow with them for life. Her GoFundMe initiative at bellyfliesmethod.com supports families around the world in receiving her books.

Invite Cathy to Your Organization

📍 Based In

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Available for travel & virtual visits

📚 Published Works

7+ titles · English & Spanish editions · Coloring pages included · Available worldwide

🏆 Recognition

Bellyflies — International Best Seller · Amazon #1 Hot New Release at launch

🎓 Credentials

Certified Coach · Specialist in supporting parents of neurodivergent children · Storytelling mentor

🌍 Outreach

Books donated to schools & families in Guatemala, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada & more

🔗 Links

twinklinglynx.com
bellyfliesmethod.com
twinklinglynx@gmail.com

How We Can Work Together

What Cathy Brings to Your Community

Whether you run a school, library, family support service, or community program — Cathy's visits, readings, and workshops are designed to be warm, accessible, and genuinely helpful.

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Story Readings

Cathy reads aloud from the Yumyum series in a way that captivates children and naturally opens the door for conversations about feelings. Perfect for classrooms, library programs, and group settings.

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Speaking Engagements

Cathy speaks warmly and honestly about emotional literacy, the Bellyflies Method™, and how children — including neurodivergent children — can be supported through stories and shared language.

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School & Library Visits

In-person or virtual visits for schools, libraries, and reading programs. Cathy connects genuinely with young audiences and makes every child feel seen and heard.

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Family Support Programs

For organizations supporting neurodivergent children and their families, Cathy offers an introduction to the Bellyflies Method™ — practical tools wrapped in the warmth of storytelling.

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Hospital & Care Settings

Cathy has experience bringing her books and her presence to children in hospital settings, where a comforting story can make a meaningful difference.

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Book Donation Program

Through her GoFundMe initiative, Cathy actively donates books to schools, organizations, and families who may not otherwise be able to access them. Let's talk.

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Stories Out Loud

Cathy's YouTube Channel

On her YouTube channel, Cathy reads her books aloud — bringing Yumyum and the gang to life with warmth and joy. It's exactly the kind of experience children love: a real human voice reading a real story, just for them.

Cathy is exploring returning to active storytelling on YouTube, with readings designed especially for children — and potentially for families navigating the beautiful complexities of neurodivergent life. If your organization would benefit from shareable, read-aloud video content, this is a resource worth bookmarking.

Organizations are welcome to share Cathy's YouTube videos in classrooms, waiting rooms, support group sessions, and family resource centres.

Twinkling Lynx
youtube.com/TwinklingLynx
Story read-alouds from the Yumyum series
Author messages & Heart2Heart moments
New readings coming soon — subscribe to be first to know!

Organizations are welcome to share Cathy's videos freely in classrooms, waiting rooms, and family resource centres.

The Yumyum Series

The Books

Each title in the Yumyum series addresses a different emotional theme — gently and joyfully, through story. All books include coloring pages and are available in multiple languages.

Bellyflies

Bellyflies

English · Spanish editions

The book that started it all. Yumyum helps children name and understand anxiety, sadness, and fear — giving them language for feelings they couldn't previously express. An International Best Seller.

Buy on Amazon
Gonna Build a Boat

Gonna Build a Boat

English · Spanish editions

A story of self-love, compassion, teamwork, and acceptance — of self and others. A beautiful complement to Bellyflies for classrooms and group programs.

Buy on Amazon
Mother Love

Mother Love

English edition

A warm and tender story about unconditional love and the unbreakable bond between caregiver and child — deeply comforting for children who need reassurance.

Buy on Amazon
I Love Ice Cream

I Love Ice Cream

English edition

Yumyum explains love through the simple joy of ice cream, weaving a delightful chain of appreciation — from a cone to a cow to the whole wide world. Full of laughter and wonder.

Buy on Amazon
Chocolate Egg Willow

Chocolate Egg Willow

English edition

A charming story that invites children to explore the world around them with curiosity and open hearts — perfect for sparking imagination and discussion.

Buy on Amazon
Discovering the Bellyflies Method book mockup — print and Kindle editions
New Title

Discovering the Bellyflies Method™

For parents & caregivers

A revolutionary guide for supporting neurodivergent children. Practical strategies and compassionate insights that transform how families understand and connect with their child.

Buy on Amazon
Illustrator sketch — The Cookie Storm
Coming Soon

The Cookie Storm

New Yumyum adventure · 2026

Yumyum is back — and something extraordinary is headed to the neighbourhood! The next Heart2Heart story is in the works. Watch this space.

Notify Me →
A Framework for Families

The Bellyflies Method™

Cathy's books are the beginning of something deeper. The Bellyflies Method™ is a compassionate, practical coaching framework she developed through years of working with parents of neurodivergent children.

It gives families — and the professionals and organizations that support them — a shared emotional language. One where children can say "I have Bellyflies" and be understood. One where parents have concrete, gentle tools to reduce stress and deepen connection at home.

For organizations working with neurodivergent families, the Bellyflies Method™ offers a meaningful complement to existing support services — approachable, story-based, and deeply human.

Explore the Method → Talk to Cathy
Discovering the Bellyflies Method

Bellyflies Method™

A shared emotional language and practical toolkit for neurodivergent families — built on story, connection, and compassion.

Visit the Full Site
Why Stories Matter

The Case for Emotional Literacy

When children — especially neurodivergent children — have the words for how they feel, everything gets a little easier. Here's why Cathy's work resonates.

1 in 6

Children experience developmental differences

Neurodivergent children often struggle most with emotional regulation. Story-based language gives them a concrete, non-threatening entry point.

"Mommy,
I have
Bellyflies"

Real words from real children

Parents regularly share that after reading Bellyflies, their children started using this language to name anxiety and fear — often for the very first time.

Early

Skills that grow for life

Children who learn to identify and express emotions early carry those skills forward. Cathy's books plant seeds that grow alongside the child.

What People Are Saying

In Their Own Words

Cathy and Yumyum together help children around the world understand their feelings. Her books subtly address differences, kindness, and belonging. "If our children can learn the tricks of warding off anxiety… maybe it could become as natural as laughing."

Simone Usselman-Tod
Friend & Champion

My granddaughter absolutely loves Bellyflies. It would mean the world to Cathy to be able to provide her books to schools, organizations, and children free of charge. Please check out her GoFundMe page — I know it would mean the world to her.

Judith Richardson Schroeder
Grandmother & Reader

Out of the blue, your message and Mother Love popped into my feed — it was just what I needed, and to hear your voice! Keep up the good work. When this is all over we will have coffee. xxxx

S
Sharon N.
Reader & Friend
Media Assets

For Press & Organizers

Everything you need to feature Cathy in your newsletter, program guide, social media, or event materials.

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Official Author Bio

Short-form and long-form bios, ready to paste into programs, websites, and event listings.

Request via email →
📷

Author Headshots

High-resolution author photos for print and digital use.

Request via email →
📚

Book Cover Images

High-resolution cover files for all titles in the Yumyum series, suitable for print and digital.

Request via email →
▶️

YouTube Story Readings

Freely shareable read-aloud videos — classroom, waiting room, and home-use friendly.

Visit the channel →
🌿

Bellyflies Method™ Press Kit

Full media and outreach pack for the Bellyflies Method™ — Cathy's coaching framework for neurodivergent families.

Visit bellyfliesmethod.com →
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Interview & Feature Requests

Cathy is available for podcast interviews, newspaper features, radio spots, and media appearances.

Get in touch →
Let's Connect

Book Cathy for Your Organization

Whether you'd like Cathy to visit your school, read at your library, speak at your family support centre, or contribute to your neurodivergent community program — she'd love to hear from you.

Cathy is available for in-person visits (Hamilton, ON and surrounding area, with travel available) as well as virtual readings and presentations for organizations anywhere in the world.

📍

Location

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

✉️

Email

twinklinglynx@gmail.com
🌿

Bellyflies Method™

bellyfliesmethod.com

Ready to reach out?

Tell Cathy a little about your organization, the age group you serve, and what kind of visit or collaboration you have in mind. She responds personally to every message.

✉️ Email Cathy Now