“Use memory, don’t allow memory to use you.”
~ Deepak Chopra 

"When we don’t have emotionally intelligent parents to help us navigate painful experiences like grief and heartbreak, we internalize the pain and personalize it."

Jana Wilson, the founder of Emotional Healing Systems, explores her childhood trauma and her subsequent aspiration to bond with and heal her inner child in this empowering, confessional, and prescriptive memoir. At age twelve, during a raucous, disturbing fight between her alcoholic father and codependent mother, Jana had a mystical experience that clarified her human connection to a spiritual source. When she ran outdoors to escape the violent chaos and pray for help, she had an out-of-body experience: “I looked around and saw that I was floating in the cosmos—nebulas, galaxies, and star nurseries were all around me…. In that moment, I felt more love and peace than I had ever experienced.”

This deeply moving book is a courageous exposure of Jana’s deepest wounding and her struggles and successes in integrating all the loose ends—and dead ends—of emerging selfhood. While the narrative has some uneven, uncertain moments at the outset, it ripens and brims with compelling prose and authenticity as it unfolds. The author candidly shares how her long exposure to childhood abuse and neglect left her susceptible to more unsatisfying relationships in adulthood, even with her strong desire to transcend childhood conditioning. While reaching outward to develop skills to support herself financially and extricate herself from toxic or unsatisfying circumstances, Jana also continually looked inward. She learned how to be her own best friend and protector of her wounded inner child as her informal and formal education progressed. She dreamed too of finding a soul mate, working hard to create the peace and balance in her life that allowed her to marry a man who also engaged in self-discovery and healing. Readers in similar circumstances, such as divorced single mothers, codependent wives, or women disconnected from their authentic selves, will find solace, wisdom, and opportunity in Jana’s narrative.

Kate Robinson

RECOMMENDED by The US Review of Books

"Wise Little One is a poignant memoir that gives you the precious opportunity to reconnect with your own little one inside, and start to build a connection through honoring this part of you that is wise and wants what is best for you.

Through Jana's story, told vulnerably and authentically, at times quite shocking, you're able to come to terms with the ability you have to give yourself a childhood as an adult, no matter how traumatic your childhood was, by getting to know and listen to this part of yourself. Jana's style of writing makes you feel as though you were with her on the ride, and the book pulls you in every step of the way.

Inner child work has seemed theoretical to me in the past, without a way of actually practicing it. Jana's book taught me how to do that through tangible steps and through her own story of meeting this part of herself. My relationship with my inner child has already deepened as a result of this profound book, and I'm enjoying the peace and safety it has offered me! Give yourself the gift of nurturing this beautiful aspect of yourself and get this book!”

Emily Smith, Author of ‘Wholeness Within: Insights from One Woman’s Journey of Creating a Life and Career in Alignment’

In this debut memoir, Jana Wilson courageously shares her path to healing childhood trauma. Wise Little One is an intimate portrait of perseverance and spirituality.

Wise Little One, a memoir written by Jana Wilson, is nothing short of exceptional. I was hooked moments after turning the first page. Jana explores her unconventional and chaotic childhood growing up with her parents who were both deeply flawed, unreliable, and volatile. Her recount of her upbringing, and her quest to find her beloved only after deep soul searching, healing, and listening to her “wise little one” is told with an unflinching honesty that is both raw and profoundly moving.

She weaves through her complex past brilliantly and introduces multi-dimensional individuals rather than simply villains. Jana also explores the themes of poverty, self-sabotage, spiritual awakening, and domestic violence, and how these issues can have a profound impact on families, and our individual behavior, patterns, and unconscious limiting beliefs.

Wise Little One is a powerful and captivating memoir with a heartbreaking yet important perspective on the complexities of family relationships. If you are seeking inspiration. and a glimpse into what a resilient human spirit is all about, I highly recommend it.

— Michelle Renee, Author of Held Hostage & Nine Days

The authors telling of her personal narrative, amongst abuse and parental drama, is captivating and heartfelt. Jana paints a vivid picture of her traumatic childhood story and the awakening and awareness that she develops throughout her life are meaningful and life changing. She captures the details in a way that make you not want to put the book down. While you learn what she took as generational, unhealthy patterns and learned to make sense of the Spiritual realm and break the chains of psychological damage and addictions, to a beautiful new way to see and process emotion with inner child connection. Oh, the layers of wisdom and guidance you’ll receive in this self-help memoir about life and loving oneself.

~ Jessica Stevens, Reviewer

On a personal level, it was like reading a story that was really familiar. The surroundings, the people, the details of our lives when growing up differed, yet Jana and I shared so much: growing up with fear, instability, insecurity, addiction; some of the beliefs that were formed and tainted our view of life, others and ourselves; the behavioural patterns born out of those beliefs that would play out into our adulthood.

I have no doubt that many will find themselves in Jana’s story but what I loved the most about this book was Jana’s complete honesty. This kind of honesty is only possible when we have truly met the parts of ourselves that we have been conditioned to avoid and all the feelings and emotions that we’d rather push aside like shame or guilt.

Her book, to me, is a wonderful invitation for everyone to do that, to meet it all. By doing it we don’t just heal, we discover who we truly are beyond our stories and our patterns…and this truly changes everything.

Maggie Gilewicz, PhD

Author of “How To Make Sure Your Life Doesn’t Suck: A Different Kind Of Guide To Navigating The Ups And Downs Of Life”

This poignant memoir is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the extraordinary capacity for healing and self-discovery. Through candid and evocative storytelling, Jana invites readers into the recesses of her heart, sharing her darkest moments and shining a light on her triumphant achievements. The book "Wise Little One" is intended for those who have experienced trauma and wish to rediscover their authentic selves. With her heartfelt anecdotes and practical advice, Jana offers invaluable tools for self-reflection, self-care, and cultivating a loving relationship with the inner child. She demonstrates how to overcome the past and manifest an inspiring future by harnessing the power of self-compassion, forgiveness, and resilience. The story of Jana Wilson resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced trauma, providing a guiding light for reclaiming joy, authenticity, and the ability to manifest an inspiring life filled with love.

I give Wise Little One five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Michelle Kidwell, Author & Book Blogger

Wilson’s evocative and descriptive prose doesn’t shy from the dark side of domestic violence in her home. Wilson takes the reader through a vivid journey of seeking and lasting healing, until she eventually finds it within herself with her Wise Little One.

Takeaway: Inspiring memoir about healing from childhood trauma.

Five stars to Jana Wilson for sharing her story in Wise Little One. Memoirs are my favorite genre and I'm always amazed at the books that are published with such captivating tales. Wilson tells the interesting story of her life with grace and grit. Five stars, did I mention that?! Loved it.

Kelly Pramberger

A true eye opening book. It hits hard to home as the situations Jana has been through I can relate too! Jana is the most courageous, beautiful soul, the way she has written her book is short of incredible!

Danielle Clynch

Jana's story is moving and masterfully shared. It is vulnerable, raw, inspiring, and hopeful. Jana shares the interplay between her trauma history and her spirituality. Her ability to forgive and have compassion for her wounded parents is a powerful theme and trajectory in her story. Jana is clearly a cycle breaker for how she provided unconditional love for her daughter, safety, and security. It took time for Jana to provide the same compassion for herself, but she prevails and lives a blessed life. I interviewed Jana on my podcast, "Heal Thrive Dream", and she shared her powerful healing journey with herself and others. She provided me a proof copy for my unbiased view. I can confidently say survivors of family violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and narcistic relationships, will find comfort and healing in Jana's book.

Karen Robinson

I received this book from LIBRARYTHING for an honest review.

“Wise Little One” is an amazing book about resilience after a devastated childhood. The heroine tells us about her childhood, the abuse she suffered, the mistreatment, maternal rejection... All these traumas, which could have made her sink! Instead, she got back up, time and time again, with unwavering faith that she will pull through! A story that will have deep resonances for all those whom life has hurt, fallen! A book that shows that we can all decide our future. I liked the optimistic tone despite the darkness of his past. I loved her rage to live, her appetite and her mystical faith, which transcended her. Read it! An act of courage and redemption, to write his confessions with such frankness.

Louanne