Shenandoah Chefalo is sought-after speaker, award-winning author, and nationally recognized expert in trauma-informed care with over 20 years of leadership consulting experience.
As the Founder and Lead Strategist of Chefalo Consulting, Shenandoah designs and delivers trauma-informed professional development programs and leads long-term systems change initiatives across governmental, public, and private sectors including health care, human services, education, and non-profits. Her work has impacted over 500,000 individuals, aided 100+ organizations, and empowered 80+ communities to create sustainable systems that foster growth and resilience.
A former foster youth herself, Shenandoah draws from her lived experience, detailed in her acclaimed memoir, Garbage Bag Suitcase, to inform her work in organizational transformation and advocacy. She is deeply committed to creating more equitable, healing-centered systems and improving outcomes for youth and families impacted by trauma. Through storytelling, consulting, and her growing body of work that now includes children’s literature, she empowers individuals and organizations to move from trauma to transformation, creating a world where resilience and compassion lead the way.
This one-on-one interview shares Shenandoah’s background and experience in writing The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best.
Tell us about The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best.
The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best captures the quiet struggles of grief that so many children experience but often can’t put into words.
Through the eyes of Lil Shen, we explore the pain of losing her beloved grandmother and the loneliness she feels, even surrounded by family. Struggling with grief and feeling invisible at the funeral, she finds comfort in a gift from her grandmother—a stuffed bunny named Bunny Best that has a magical ability to talk. With Bunny Best’s encouragement and the power of her “Imagine-A-Shen,” Lil Shen learns that it’s okay not to be okay and that healing doesn’t happen all at once. Together, they embark on a journey of small steps toward hope, self-discovery, and remembering the love that never leaves us.
This heartfelt story is a celebration of resilience, imagination, and the enduring bonds that help us through life’s hardest moments.
What inspired you to write The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best?
The Best Bunny was inspired by my own journey through trauma and healing, shaped by the challenges I faced growing up in the foster care system. After publishing my memoir, Garbage Bag Suitcase in 2016, I realized the importance of reaching younger audiences—children who face loss and hardship but often lack the words or tools to process their pain.
Lil Shen’s story is a reflection of my deep understanding of grief and resilience, highlighting how imagination and emotional support can guide children through difficult emotions. Using my own childhood stuffed animal, I crafted The Best Bunny as both a comforting companion and a beacon of hope, creating a heartfelt story that empowers kids to navigate their world with courage and healing. This book is just the beginning of a series dedicated to helping children understand the world around them and transform their struggles into strength.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
The message I hope readers take away from this book is this: no matter how overwhelming loss and hardship may feel, there is always a path towards healing and hope. Children facing difficult emotions deserve more than just sympathy, they need tools and stories that validate their experiences and inspire resilience. My goal with this book, and the series to follow, is to provide compassionate guidance so that young readers feel seen, understood, and empowered to navigate their feelings with courage and kindness.
Purchasing the Book
The Best Bunny: Adventures of Lil Shen and Her Inspirational Sidekick Bunny Best has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Book Excellence writes, “The Best Bunny is a beautifully crafted story that tenderly guides young readers through themes of loss, resilience, and self-discovery. With its enchanting narrative and powerful message of hope, this book is a must-have for families seeking to nurture emotional growth, courage and imagination in children.”
The book is scheduled for worldwide release on July 22nd, 2025. Readers are encouraged to pre-order a copy of the book today: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Bunny-Shenandoah-Chefalo/dp/B0F8PNFG5Y/
To connect with Shenandoah and learn more about her work, visit: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/. You can also find her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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