Some become stories told around a dinner table.

And every once in a while, a single moment grows into something much bigger.

Over the years, I’ve collected unforgettable experiences while living in and exploring countries around the world. A hidden bakery in Budapest. A quiet train ride through the countryside. A chance conversation with a stranger. The unexpected discoveries that happen when curiosity takes the lead.

While many of those experiences find their way into the travel stories I share on It Was Worth It, some inspire something entirely different: books.

The stories featured here are inspired by real moments, real places, and the wonder that comes from exploring the world with an open mind. Some are children’s books. Some may become larger storytelling projects in the future. All of them begin with the same belief:

The best adventures often start when you least expect them.

Whether you’re a traveller, a parent, a dreamer, or simply someone who loves a good story, I hope these books inspire you to stay curious and see where life leads next.

More than a story about travel, Lila’s Nose Knows celebrates curiosity, imagination, and the joy of paying attention to the little things that make our world so extraordinary. It encourages young readers to ask questions, explore with confidence, and embrace the adventures that can begin when they follow their own sense of wonder.

Filled with vibrant illustrations and inspired by real-world experiences, Lila’s Nose Knows is a gentle reminder that some of life’s best adventures aren’t planned at all. Sometimes they begin with a single scent, a curious thought, and the courage to see where it leads.

Inspired by: Various Travels Adventures and my nose.

Perfect for: Ages 3-10, curious explorers, and little dreamers.

Some adventures begin with a passport stamp. Others begin with a child asking a question.

The next story in the series is inspired by my time living in Panama, a country filled with vibrant wildlife, tropical landscapes, and everyday moments that felt a little bit magical.

From colorful birds hidden in the rainforest canopy to unexpected encounters with creatures big and small, Panama became the backdrop for countless adventures. One particular experience stayed with me long after I returned home, eventually sparking the idea for another story waiting to be told.

Like Lila’s Nose Knows, this new tale is rooted in a real experience and shaped by the wonder, curiosity, and imagination that travel inspires.

Stay tuned as the next adventure takes shape.

Inspired by: True stories from Panama

Perfect for: Ages 3-10, curious explorers, and little dreamers.

As a teenager, author Jackelyn Mossman lived in Japan as an exchange student, spending a year immersed in the country’s culture, traditions, and everyday life. Decades later, she returned to Japan with her daughter to revisit many of the places that had become treasured memories and to create new ones together.

Those real adventures inspired Lila’s Nose Knows: The Sakura Surprise.

This time, a trail of unforgettable scents leads Lila across Japan, from bustling cities and ancient shrines to peaceful bamboo forests, mountain villages, and fields of colourful blooms. Along the way, she meets fascinating animal friends, discovers beloved traditions, and follows clues hidden in every scent she encounters.

Inspired by: True stories from Japan

Perfect for: Ages 3-10, curious explorers, and little dreamers.

That’s the same spirit that inspires these books.

I believe stories can encourage children and adults alike to stay curious, pay attention to the world around them, and discover adventure in unexpected places.

After all, a story about following a cinnamon scent through Budapest eventually became a children’s book called Lila’s Nose Knows.

You never know where curiosity might lead.

Lila’s Nose Knows is available now and ready to take young readers on a journey around the world, one scent at a time.