Forewords & Afterword

FOREWORD by Olayinka Odumakinde – The Exceptional Godmother

When I first met Olumoroti at birth, I saw a bright-eyed child wonderfully made by God, already carrying a quiet curiosity about the world God created.

Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside my dearest Olumoroti and her parents, watching her grow in wisdom, courage and creativity, and witnessing how God has nurtured her imagination and curiosity in remarkable ways.

This Book, “Beyond the Ordinary Days” is more than a collection of stories; it is a gentle reflection of God’s grace at work in a child’s heart. Written at just ten years old, this book celebrates the beauty of imagination, kindness, courage and faith, reminding us that when we see life through God’s light, even ordinary days can become extraordinary.

Through imaginative short stories filled with wonder, talking rainbows, wise creatures, magical moments in familiar places and lessons hidden in everyday experiences, Olumoroti invites young readers to discover God’s presence in the simple and the small.

Each story carries values rooted in love, empathy, honesty, resilience, leadership, and compassion, teaching children that God can use even the youngest hearts to reflect His goodness and bring light to the world.

The collection also includes a special feature story, “Bree & Her Journey into Wonder,” which follows a young girl on an unexpected adventure that calls her to bravery, curiosity, and growth. Bree’s journey beautifully mirrors the truth that when we trust God and step forward in faith, He opens doors beyond what we imagine.

As Olumoroti’s Godmother, I have witnessed firsthand how she pours love, joy, and sincerity into all she does. Her writing flows not from a desire for applause, but from a heart eager to share hope and wonder. It is clear that her gift is one God is already shaping for His purpose and glory.

Each chapter concludes with reflective questions and moral lessons, encouraging children to think deeply, pray thoughtfully, and apply what they learn to their own lives.

Beyond the Ordinary Days is designed not only to entertain, but to inspire young readers to trust God, believe in themselves, and recognize that His hand is present in every season of their lives.

My prayer is that every child who reads this book will discover their God-given ability and purpose, grow in courage and faith, and learn to see the world with eyes full of hope and gratitude.

And to my darling Olumoroti: continue to dream, to write, and to walk boldly in the path God has set before you. Never doubt that He who began this good work in you will bring it to perfect fulfillment in Jesus’ name.

With all my love,

Olayinka Odumakinde

AFTERWORD by Afolabi-Brown, Journalist & Award-Winning Broadcaster

Every story in this book reminds that children see the world quite differently from adults. Their imagination reminds us of a deeper meaning to life. Lots of questions to ponder on.

What if the sun followed us to school and reminded us to be kind?
What if animals, dreams, rain, books, and even robots could speak? If they did, could it be words of wisdom?

These stories are not just about magic. They are about seeing deeply. Seeing the light we carry inside us and seeing the people who help us every day. It is also about seeing our culture, our environment, our imagination, and the ability to do good when no one is watching.

The little girl in these stories discovers something important, that honesty can be bravery, leadership is kindness, and adventure can begin right where you are even under your bed, in your grandmother’s kitchen or on your walk home from school.

If you are a child reading this, remember, you do not need to wait to be grown before you make a difference. Your ideas matter. Your dreams matter. Your voice matters.

To the adults, remember that children already understand more than we think. Sometimes, all they need is a story that reminds them of what they already know.

May these stories encourage you to be curious, to be kind, to read widely, to listen closely, and to believe deeply in your own possibilities because the greatest gift of all is discovering who you already are.

Morayo Afolabi-Brown

FOREWORD by Olatomiwa Williams

When I first learned that this book was written by a ten-year-old author, I smiled. When I began reading it, I paused. And by the time I reached the final pages, I felt something deeper than admiration, I felt hope.

Stories like these remind us why imagination matters. They remind us that curiosity is a form of intelligence, that kindness is a form of leadership, and that the future is often being shaped quietly in the notebooks, bedrooms, and daydreams of children who dare to wonder.

Olumoroti Ogunsiji writes with a confidence and warmth that belies her age. Her stories are playful yet thoughtful, adventurous yet gentle, full of questions about the world and what it means to be brave, open-hearted. Most important, rich with values and invaluable lessons for young minds. Through her storytelling, readers encounter ideas about courage, empathy, generosity, responsibility, and the quiet strength it takes to do what is right. These are lessons that will stay with children long after the final page is turned.

In Beyond the Ordinary Days, she invites us into a universe where discovery begins with courage and where empathy becomes a compass, guiding characters, and readers alike, toward understanding themselves and the world around them.

In my own professional life, I have learned that innovation does not start with technology; it starts with imagination. It begins with the ability to ask “What if?” and to picture a world slightly better than the one we know. Those same instincts pulse through the pages of this book, reminding us that creativity and character must grow together.

What excites me most about Olumoroti’s work is not simply the stories she tells today, but the possibilities they suggest for tomorrow. She represents a generation that is growing up global, creative, ambitious, and unafraid to dream boldly. When young readers encounter her writing, they will not only see characters embarking on adventures; they will see a peer doing something extraordinary. And that is powerful.

To every child who opens this book: may these stories remind you that your ideas matter, that your voice is worth using, and that learning, kindness, and imagination can shape the path ahead. The future is wide enough to hold all the wonders you can imagine.

To Olumoroti, keep writing. Keep exploring. Keep asking brave questions. The world needs your stories.

It is my privilege to introduce this remarkable debut.”

Olatomiwa Williams