Wyles DanielStorytelling has long been one of the simplest ways to bring people together. It connects generations, sparks imagination, and turns small family moments into lasting memories. Through stories, children learn values while parents rediscover the joy of seeing the world through youthful eyes.
For Reginald Q. Barnes, storytelling is not only a creative pursuit but a heartfelt way to celebrate the bond between a father and his daughter.
Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Barnes grew up in a home that valued education, hard work, and creativity. His mother was a schoolteacher and reading specialist, while his father worked for the post office and often took a second job to support their family of seven. Barnes attended Beasley Academic Center and Whitney Young Magnet High School, where he excelled academically and found joy in both music and sports.
Before entering the world of publishing, Barnes built a successful career in IT, working for law firms in Chicago. His interest in finance eventually led him to make a major career change. He began his own wealth-building journey, earned a B.S. in Finance from Purdue Global, and later achieved his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, General Management, and Behavioral Science. It was during this demanding period that his writing journey began to take form.
The idea for his beloved children’s series, Little Big Girl and Daddy, came from a personal exercise he called his “I Should” list. It was a list of goals and aspirations he often told himself he should pursue: “I should start investing. I should get an MBA. I should write a book.”
Wanting one of those goals to include his daughter, he began writing down the sweet, funny, and memorable moments they shared. What started as notes about their adventures soon took shape as stories that reflected the warmth and joy of their everyday life. He realized these moments could resonate with other families, too, and from that realization, his book series was born.
Each book in the Little Big Girl and Daddy series is inspired by a true story, capturing the small adventures that define the father-daughter relationship. The books are fun and lighthearted, yet filled with lessons about love, patience, and curiosity. Parents find comfort and familiarity in the stories, while children are drawn to their playful tone and colorful storytelling. Barnes writes with a genuine heart, creating stories that bring families closer and remind readers to treasure shared experiences.
Barnes’ work has earned wide recognition, including being named among MSN’s Top 10 Children’s Authors to Watch in 2025 and The Chicago Weekly’s Top 10 Authors of 2025. He has been featured by the University of Chicago, Perkins Coie LLP, and in Chicago Business. His collaboration with award-winning illustrators Alana McCarthy and Cathy Morrison, as well as editor Jennifer Rees, best known for The Hunger Games, has elevated the series even further. His debut book’s re-release under Dorrance Publishing, along with six more titles in production, marks a significant step in expanding his reach.
Now a finance professional at a Fortune 100 company, Barnes continues to write alongside his corporate career. The upcoming release of the eighth book in the series marks another milestone in his growing catalog. His books have reached public libraries, schools, and community spaces across Chicago, including the Blackstone branch of the Chicago Public Library, Brown Books and Paintbrushes, and Hinsdale Adventist Academy.
Through his growing body of work, Reginald Q. Barnes continues to show that storytelling is a powerful tool for connection. What began as a personal project between a father and his daughter has become a source of joy for countless families. With each new story, he reminds readers that the most meaningful adventures often start at home and that love, laughter, and imagination will always have the power to bring families together, one page at a time.