Elizabeth Stevens

Elizabeth Stevens is an actress/singer and film and television writer and author who has written projects for top Hollywood producers and directors.

ICE DREAMS, a romantic drama for The Hallmark Channel, written by Elizabeth and her writing partner husband, James Bruner, was nominated for the $100,000 Epiphany Prize for Television by MovieGuide.org.

Elizabeth was born in Boston and currently lives in South Pasadena, California with James and their family.

BEESWING MAKES FRIENDS, the first in a picture book series by Elizabeth and James, is an entertaining and enlightening story that helps children deal with major changes in their lives with the help of BEESWING, the little magical golden dragon, and his friends, both human and fantastical.

BEESWING MAKES FRIENDS marks Elizabeth and James' first book collaboration.

MISTER D: A CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK ABOUT OVERCOMING DOUBTS AND FEARS, Elizabeth's first book, is an empowering, entertaining fable for 4-9 year olds about overcoming doubts and fears.

REE DRUMMOND, THE PIONEER WOMAN, is one of the first people to have read MISTER D.

MISTER D has been approved for use in California public schools by the office of California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Story Behind Mister D

Like so many other parents, I used to take my daughter, Jennifer, to her Karate lessons several times a week. It was a big part of our lives. She took Karate from one of Chuck Norris' senior Black Belts. Chuck was active in his schools and we used to see him all the time at the belt tests.

One day before one of her advanced belt tests, Jennifer nervously said to me, "What if I make a mistake during the test?"

I felt for her. She looked so scared. I think she was nervous that she would let me down. I wouldn't have been disappointed, of course, not if she had tried her best.

I asked her, "Do you know everything you need to know for the next belt?"

"Yes, I do." she said.

I then asked, "Have you practiced?" Of course, I knew that she had practiced since I always watched her class, but I was trying to make a point.

She smiled and said, "Yes, Mom, I have practiced a lot."

I told her that when you have doubts and fears then you can't focus. And when you're not focused, that's when you can make mistakes. I suddenly thought of something. "Why don't you think of your doubts as Mister D... During your test, if you feel scared, just say in your mind -- Go away Mister D!"

Jennifer looked at me and nodded. I could tell that she liked the idea.

She tested and did really well. After it was over, she ran up to me, showed me her new belt, and said, "It worked!"

Jennifer was so excited. I was too. I was so happy that something I thought of to help her, had actually helped her.

I told my husband, James, about it later that evening. "You should write it as a children's book," he said.

I told him that I didn't know if I could.

He then said to me, "You better tell Mister D to go away."