EAST LONGMEADOW – Elizabeth O’Neill-Sheehan is a distant relative of 16th century Irish chieftain, pirate, and warrior Grace O’Malley.

Now she is set to release a children’s book about her historic ancestor on Feb. 14.

O’Neill-Sheehan, a resident and school counselor at Meadow Brook Elementary School, told Reminder Publications her book, “Grace O’Malley, Queen of the Sea,” has a theme, which seeks to empower girls to choose their own story in life.

“Back in the 1530s, when she was alive, her story got completely sort of taken off the books in some ways,” she added. “A lot of people are trying to put it back on, but [I want] children to know her story too and to know that you don’t have to always be the princess. You could choose to be a pirate and a princess and whatever else you want to be.”

O’Neill-Sheehan said the book focuses more on O’Malley’s character rather than her life’s story, but certain events from her life are mentioned in the book such as meeting with Queen of England Elizabeth I.

She said she drew the illustrations for the book as well, frequently incorporating Celtic designs, and wrote the storybook in a style similar to an Irish ballad.

“Grace’s story, including her famous meeting with Queen Elizabeth I, is echoed in true Irish songlike manner to inspire readers to tap into the pirate in their souls,” she added. “This book is perfect to reflect on Irish heritage and the roles of women in history.”

She said O’Malley also fought for the Irish as chieftain during the Nine Years’ War against English rule, which ultimately was unsuccessful.

“Queen Elizabeth took an interest in her and she was called to meet with her and during that meeting, Grace O’Malley didn’t bow to her … And so instead of the queen being offended, she found her as an equal,” O’Neill-Sheehan said.

She added O’Malley was a woman who spoke her mind.

“She went through war, she went through pirating and all those different things, but she never let that drive her spirit down,” O’Neill-Sheehan said.

She said O’Malley is not getting her historical due with a recent surge of interest and published historical books about her.

“I noticed also that there’s not a lot for children to explain her story and she’s kind of inspirational. She was a girl who wanted to go out with her father into the sea because he was more of a pirate,” she said. “His name was Black Oak … But she really wanted to go with him and her parents actually wanted her to stay and get married.”

She continued, “The rumor is that she cut off her hair either because she didn’t want it to be tangled in the ropes or just because she wanted to disguise herself as a boy to get onto the ship.”

O’Neill-Sheehan said the reason why she decided to write a book about O’Malley was because her mother used to tell stories about her while she was growing up.

“My mother always told stories of our pirate ancestor,” she added. “She is definitely the stuff of bedtime stories and inspiring children’s imaginations. We need to hear more true stories about women in history who took charge.”

She added her first book, “Where the Ocean Meets the Shore,” was released in May 2014 and highlights seaside adventures of O’Neill-Sheehan’s imaginative son, Bobby.

The book is available through Amazon as well as Barnes and Noble.