PRESS RELEASE: Helping children understand what it means to live with diabetes.

NEW RELEASE FROM MULTI-AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR – CRYSTAL LEONARDI

Cairns, Queensland, Australia – 15th July 2025 – Bowerbird Publishing’s Crystal Leonardi shares news of her new title, My Bestie Mackenzie: Explaining Diabetes to Kids.
My Bestie McKenzie: Explaining Diabetes to Kids is a heartwarming and educational story that helps children understand what it means to live with diabetes. Through the eyes of a caring best friend, young readers learn about McKenzie’s daily routine—checking her blood sugar, using an insulin pen or pump, and choosing healthy snacks to keep her feeling her best.
This gentle and reassuring book explains the ups and downs of diabetes in a simple way, showing that while McKenzie may need extra care, she’s still the same fun and lovable friend. With messages of kindness, understanding, and support, this story encourages young readers to be compassionate allies to anyone living with a medical condition.
Perfect for children, families, and classrooms, My Bestie McKenzie reminds us that friendship and love are stronger than any challenge.

Crystal Leonardi is not just an author and publisher, but a tenacious mother and advocate for critically ill children. As the resilient mum of a brain cancer warrior, her experiences fuel her passion for empowering others to share their stories.
Her son, Sebastian, continues to be her motivation. The challenges faced by Sebastian inspire her mission to assist families confronting a life-threatening illness and disability. Crystal intimately understands that one diagnosis often triggers others, leaving families scrambling for resources.
Crystal invites you to join her on a journey of resilience, hope and empowerment as she endeavours to make a difference in the lives of families facing health challenges.

For inquiries, please contact me directly on [email protected] or 0412 779 889.

Book details:
Title: My Bestie Mackenzie: Explaining Diabetes to Kids
Author: Crystal Leonardi
Illustrator: Vivian Saad
Publication Date: 1 December 2025
ISBN (paperback): 978 1 7641082 7 0
ISBN (ebook): 978 1 7641082 8 7
RRP: $20.00AU paperback / $5.95AU ebook
Trade price (55% discount): $9.00AU paperback

Find Bowerbird Publishing Online:
Website: www.crystalleonardi.com – Facebook: /Bowerbird Publishing
Instagram: @Bowerbird_Publishing – YouTube: /Bowerbird Publishing

Media Contacts:

Name: Crystal LeonardiCompany: Bowerbird PublishingEmail: Phone: 0412779889

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About Bowerbird Publishing

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Born and raised in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Crystal Leonardi is now a multi-award-winning author and publisher. Nestled in the lush green rainforest of Julatten (better known as the Port Douglas Highlands), Crystal dedicates her time to writing and empowering other writers to publish through her unique business, Bowerbird Publishing. As a publisher, Crystal empowers writers to share their stories. Bowerbird Publishing educates writers on how to publish independently and still become successful authors and advocates for their own purpose. In 2025 & 2024, Crystal was announced the Bronze winner in the Woman in Literature category by Duchess Sarah Ferguson and Dr Terarai Trent at the Women Changing the World Awards in London. Additionally, Crystal was announced as the Bronze winner in the 2024 Telly Awards in New York for her work in MP4 Book Trailer Production, a service she is very proud to offer exclusively to her clients. As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, no topic is off limits; Crystal’s willingness to open up to her audience leaves them feeling uplifted and inspired, believing that they, too, have the power to succeed, no matter what life throws at them. Through a tragic diagnosis, Crystal has found the strength to want more out of life and become a beacon of hope for others. Her first book, ‘Boy of Steel, Little Sebastian’s Big Miracle,’ sheds light on families' social, financial and emotional struggles when diagnosed with cancer. It is used by medical, nursing and psychology students as an educational tool at five James Cook University Campuses. In 2022, Crystal was named Bronze Author of the Year by the Ausmumpreneur National Awards for her work on ‘Boy of Steel.’ Other notable publications by Crystal are her children’s books titled ‘My Brother Sebastian, Explaining Cancer to Kids,’ ‘My Friend Alice, Explaining Disability to Kids’ and ‘My Mate Jed, Explaining Stroke to Kids.’ Designed to provide families with an age-appropriate and supportive tool to explain a cancer sensitive medical conditions to children, the books have been embraced and supported by Camp Quality, RedKite, BrainChild and Education Queensland. Crystal has enjoyed promoting and sharing the books with primary school-aged children throughout the state since their publication in 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. Surrounded by virgin scrub, rainforest flora and fauna, an abundance of fresh air and views of the Great Dividing Range, the Leonardi farm is also home to Crystal’s husband Sam and children; Antonia, Josephine, Alyssa and 6-year-old Sebastian, a brain cancer survivor. Crystal has worked hard to overcome mental health battles since her son’s diagnosis and started her publishing business in 2021. Crystal has enthusiastically become a spokesperson for anyone willing to rise above the ashes of tragedy and survive. She educates her audiences about how publishing the ups and downs in her life has led her to a path of positivity and a winning attitude. To follow Crystal’s exciting journey through life as a mum and businesswoman, check out her website, www.crystalleonardi.com or follow her on social media: Bowerbird Publishing - Crystal Leonardi (FB) and Bowerbird Publishing (IG).