Terri Roberts-Leonard is building a legacy by co-authoring books with each of her children.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Roberts-Leonard is an Indianapolis-based leadership trainer and consultant and co-author of the “Danda the Panda” children’s books series. Writing children’s books is something Roberts-Leonard has always wanted to do; however, it wasn’t until the pandemic that she decided to start pursuing that dream with her debut book, “Danda the Panda: Welcome to my World.”
Shortly after publishing that book in 2020, Roberts-Leonard realized she wanted to continue the series, allowing her children to get involved in the process. All three of her children are adopted, and working on a children’s book series is just one way she hopes to create lasting memories and traditions with them.
“It started off as just something originally, I always wanted to do, but then it was like, just a good idea, and why not? It’s a way to get them involved,” Roberts-Leonard said. “This can be something that’s a legacy for them.”
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In 2021, Roberts-Leaonard co-authored the sequel, “Danda the Panda: Love Makes a Family,” with her then 5-year-old son, Justin Leonard. In August 2025, she published the third book, “Danda the Panda: Unexpected Friends,” with her youngest child, Jordan Leonard.
Throughout the series, her children are involved in creating storylines, characters and sharing final input on the illustrations. The original characters — such as Jordy Giraffe and Mason Mouse — are created by and based on her kids (and, on occasion, their close friends).
“I really liked watching Jordan in helping to create the new characters, and thinking it was humorous that she, of course, would want to name the giraffe after herself, and giving it features like her glasses,” Roberts-Leonard said. “I think a lot of times as parents, we think we know what’s going on, but there’s a lot that we don’t necessarily know, and when you give them a creative outlet, it gives an opportunity for those things to come out.”
The books aren’t just for fun either; they tackle themes of adoption and family, friendship, bullying, inclusion and self-acceptance.“Danda the Panda: Love Makes a Family” even includes a sheet at the back with tips for parents and caregivers on how to discuss these topics with their own kids, Roberts-Leonard said.
“I want them to know that it’s always important to be yourself, and being you is okay, whatever that is, and it’s okay to be friends with different people,” Roberts-Leonard said. “I want these books to just be a light and to show kids that it’s okay to be you, and … sometimes they’re just going to be bad people out there, right? But that doesn’t have to kill your joy, and there are ways for you to approach that and still stay true to yourself.”
Jordan Leonard shared a similar sentiment and said she hopes people who read the “Danda the Panda” books understand that “they can be bold.”
Through this process, Roberts-Leonard said her children have “really blossomed” in the knowledge that they can succeed at something that isn’t typically expected of other kids their age.
“It makes me feel happy, because I have people helping me,” Jordan Leonard said. “I don’t know how to say it, but it makes me proud of myself.”
Outside of the “Danda the Panda” series, Justin co-authored another book, “That’s My Thing,” which was published in November 2025. “That’s My Thing” is about three siblings who each have a different hobby — including basketball, soccer and ballet, Justin Leonard said.
“All three kids want to sign up to try out for it (basketball), but Kyle wasn’t good at it, so he felt left out,” Justin Leonard said.
The book features themes of teamwork, self-discovery and trying new things, but the moral of the story is simple:
“Kids don’t have to be great at everything,” Justin Leonard said. “It’s okay to try new things.”
“Danda the Panda” and “That’s My Thing” are self-published, but Roberts-Leonard worked with a hybrid publishing company to partner with an editor, illustrator and marketing team. Their books are available at the Johnson County, Greenwood, Mooresville and Carmel Clay public libraries, as well as Amazon, Author’s Patch in Danville, Indiana, and Wild Geese in Franklin, Indiana.
For more information, visit facebook.com/dandathepanda.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
