Bronwyne Chapman
When Mountain Brook teen Callie Chapman first imagined Glitter the Unicorn at just six years old, neither she nor her mother, illustrator Bronwyne Chapman, could have predicted how far the adventure would go. What started as a single story has grown into an award-winning children’s book series complete with multiple titles, national recognition, school visits, and even celebrity attention. Along the way, Callie has used her success to give back, donating thousands of dollars from book proceeds to Children’s of Alabama to support art programs for young patients. Today, Callie continues to use her platform to encourage creativity, kindness, and confidence in children everywhere, while proving that even the smallest ideas can grow into something extraordinary.
Bronwyne Chapman
Q: How did the idea for the Glitter the Unicorn series first come to life in your family, and what made you realize it could become something bigger than a school project?
Callie: Glitter the Unicorn started as an entry for my school art competition, Expressions Art Contest. I had spent the entire weekend curating the perfect story to enter. I was inspired to create my story based off my two favorite stuffed animals, Glitter and Ellie. I was competing in a category against kindergarten, first-, and second-graders. After receiving honorable mention, my mom thought that my story was too cute and decided to have it printed as gifts for family. Then, other friends and family began asking for copies of my book, so we decided to have it fully published. That’s when my mom asked me what I would like to do with the money that I received from my sales. I’m not sure where six-year-old me heard of their new program, but I suggested that all the proceeds should go toward Children’s Hospitals Art Therapy program. When I first created Glitter the Unicorn, I didn’t realize how much something as small as a story about my stuffed animals could become what it is today.
Bronwyne Chapman
Q: The books carry positive themes about kindness, imagination, and believing in yourself. Why were those messages important for you to share with young readers?
Callie: The message of kindness is so important to me because as a kid I faced a lot of teasing for my books and for my love of storytelling. Being able to continue to do something that I love, despite the backlash, is such an important message that all kids should learn. Kids should be able to freely express themselves and to dream big no matter what others say.
Q: Bronwyne, as both a mom and an illustrator, what has it been like to collaborate with Callie? How do the two of you work together?
Bronwyne: Creatively collaborating with Callie has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. What began as a simple mother-daughter project sparked by her imagination has become something far bigger than either of us could have imagined.
In the beginning, Callie would dream up the adventures and characters with complete confidence and wonder, and I helped bring those ideas to life visually. Our process usually looks something like this: First comes the big idea. Callie creates the concept and story for Glitter the Unicorn. Then, Callie writes her story. During the writing process, we talk through the narrative arc together. What happens first? What problem or emotion is at the center? What should a child feel by the last page? The next stage is the visual world building. This is where my illustrator brain kicks in. I sketch possibilities while Callie gives feedback constantly. Even as a young child, she had very clear opinions about Glitter’s expressions, colors, scenes, and details. Once the illustrations are complete, Callie makes sure the language still sounds authentic and child-centered. That’s always important. The story must feel like it belongs in a child’s hands, not like an adult wrote for a child. The last stage is production. Once the creative side is complete, off to the printer it goes. After the book is printed, Callie starts promotion.
As both her mom and creative partner, it has been incredibly meaningful to watch her imagination turn into a platform for kindness, confidence, and giving back. What started with one little unicorn has become a shared mission, and I feel grateful to have had a front-row seat to every chapter.
Q: What excites you most about the future of Glitter the Unicorn?
Bronwyne Chapman
Bronwyne: Watching Callie continue to grow as a writer, storyteller, and young leader. It has been incredibly meaningful to see Glitter the Unicorn grow into something bigger than books. Through Glitter for a Cause, Callie is encouraging children to dream big, lead with kindness, and realize they are never too small to do big things. Seeing the impact her message continues to have on children, teachers, and families is what inspires me most about what’s ahead.
Bronwyne Chapman
Q: Was there a particular moment when you realized the books were truly resonating with readers beyond Birmingham?
Callie: Yes! Through my books, I have won awards in New York and Paris. Seeing that my book has not only impacted my surrounding community, but also those far away inspires me to continue to work hard and do more for those around me.
Q: A portion of the proceeds from the books supports art supplies for Children’s Hospital. How did that mission begin, and what has it meant to see the impact grow over time?
Bronwyne Chapman
Callie: As a kid, I didn’t fully understand the impact that supporting the Art Therapy Program would have, not only in my life, but for others as well. Through the years, as my project has grown, I’ve been able to see kids learn to believe in themselves and believe that they can do big things, too. Seeing my books inspire so many kids makes me so happy and grateful for starting this journey 10 years ago.
Q: What advice would you give families who want to nurture imagination, storytelling, or artistic confidence in their kids?
Bronwyne: My advice is to instill belief in your child. If your child has a dream, support it. Never let them feel like their dreams are too big or too out of reach because anything can be achieved through imagination, belief, and hard work.
Bronwyne Chapman
Q: What has the success of the series meant for Callie?
Bronwyne: It’s been incredibly meaningful for Callie because it has shown her that a child’s idea can truly make a difference. What began as a book she wrote at six years old has grown into opportunities to connect with thousands of children, educators, and families. She has been invited to speak at schools across Alabama and in New Orleans, the Alabama Book Festival, the Alabama Literacy Association Conference—where she spoke to more than 550 teachers—and as a guest speaker for TEDx-style events, all centered around creativity, kindness, and dreaming big.
Looking ahead, Callie plans to continue expanding the Glitter the Unicorn series while exploring new ways to tell stories through film, which she hopes to study in college. As part of promoting the series and growing its impact, she is also launching the Glitter for a Cause Kindness Plan, an initiative designed to give schools, families, and children simple, meaningful ways to put kindness into action in their own communities. The goal is to move beyond simply reading about kindness and empower young people to actively practice it through age-appropriate challenges, creative activities, and community outreach.
She also plans to continue growing Glitter for a Cause by raising funds for Children’s Hospital Art Therapy Program, donating books to Jefferson County Family Courts, and encouraging children to discover that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful change. At the heart of everything she does is the message she loves to share: Dream big, be kind, be happy, be yourself, and remember you are never too small to do big things.
To learn more about Callie and to order Glitter the Unicorn books, visit glitter-the-unicorn.myshopify.com.