Mary-Ann Poata is a nurturing story teller whose words are stepped in love, lived experience, and unwavering commitment to the emotional well-being of tamariki. Her debut book, The Bridge to Brave, was born from the everyday bravery she witnessed in her own children - moments of feeling deeply, finding their voices, and learning to stand tall even in uncertainty.

Guided by these powerful journeys and the gentle strength of her devoted partner, who sat beside her through every sketch, and word, Mary-Ann has never imagined she'd explore:  Professional printing, design and story telling, yet alone creating a book. What began as only a story on word document, had grown into a deeper calling - to create resources that truly support our children and communities around them.

Through her work Mary-Ann weaves emotional literacy, creativity and aroha (love) into every page. The Bridge to Brave is only the beginning. With more books in her heart and hope in her hands, she continues to write with the vision of helping tamariki navigate their feelings, build resilience, and know they are loved and never alone.