By: Jennifer Knight
Children’s author Gwendolyn Wildt has taken a decade’s worth of dreams, sketches, and poems and woven them into something extraordinary: Buckets: The Magic Inside Every Bucket. Her debut children’s book is more than a colorful story—it’s a gentle, uplifting invitation to release fear, welcome love, and discover the quiet freedom we all carry inside.
A Story Born From Dreams
Buckets didn’t arrive in a single lightning bolt of inspiration. Instead, it grew slowly, like a seed nurtured over time. “Buckets was born over a span of ten years, sparked by recurring dreams,” Wildt recalls. “Each time I woke up, I wrote down the poetry that came to me. Over time, the images and words became more vivid, and I began sketching what I saw. It was as if the story itself was asking me to tell it.”
What began as fragmented dreams evolved into a book that speaks to a universal need—for healing, release, and peace.
Why Buckets?
At first glance, a bucket might seem ordinary. But for Wildt, buckets carry profound meaning. “Buckets are simple, everyday tools—I use them to clean, to carry water, to care for my plants. That rhythm—filling up and letting go—became the perfect metaphor for releasing fear and making space for love.”
In the story, each bucket becomes a safe place where children—and the adults reading alongside them—can imagine placing worries inside and gently letting them go.
Bringing the Vision to Life
Wildt’s poetry set the tone, but illustrator Jewel Bree brought the dream into vivid color. “Jewel was a dream collaborator,” Wildt shares. “She chose the vibrant yellow for the cover, and with every illustration, she honored the spirit of the book. Watching her art unfold felt like watching a dream step into reality.”
The result is a story that feels both soothing and visually joyful—an experience children will treasure and parents will love sharing.
A Book With Purpose
More than a bedtime story, Buckets offers a practice for daily life. “Letting go at the end of the day can be one of the most freeing gifts we give ourselves,” Wildt says. “Imagine placing each worry into a bucket and releasing it—welcoming peace and light in its place. If this book helps even one child or adult rest more peacefully, if it adds just 30 minutes of comfort to someone’s night, then every moment of creating it was worth it.”
That sense of purpose carried Wildt through the challenges of publishing. From finding the right illustrator to connecting with supportive mentors and the C-Suite Network, she persevered until she found the team that could bring her vision to life.
Beyond the Pages
Buckets also extends beyond storytime. The book includes a free companion lesson plan for teachers, making it a valuable classroom resource. Therapists can use it as a tool to help children express emotions, while families can use it to spark conversations about feelings, resilience, and release.
And this is just the beginning. Wildt is already developing a workshop, coloring book, and teacher’s guide to expand the Buckets universe. “There’s much more freedom to come,” she promises.
At Its Heart
At its core, Buckets is about finding peace in letting go—something children and adults alike need. Through poetry, imagery, and bright illustrations, Wildt creates a safe, imaginative space where releasing fear and welcoming love feels not only possible, but freeing.
For more about Gwendolyn Wildt and Buckets: The Magic Inside Every Bucket, visit Amazon.
