Not long ago, it dawned on me that I am now officially the author of FIFTEEN diverse children’s books for young readers.
15 books!
Book Celebration Day 10 | In The Nick of Time
My family absolutely loves the holidays.
Christmas is a very special time for us. We go all out with addressing all the senses. Every single one. The sights of the warm lights. The smells of the tree, the food, and all the cookies. The sounds of holiday music- all day every day. The hardy laughs and sharing of old stories. Warm hugs from old and new friends. Wrapping packages and tying bows. Making things pretty and spreading all the joy. Watching reruns of movies we’ve seen too many times and my favorite- reading our holiday book collection.
But finding holiday picture books with Black characters (especially one with brown young boys) was always challenging and every year it seemed even harder to find a new title that we didn’t already own.
A simple Google search reveals an endless amount of stories with white kids or with animals as the main protagonist. Really, what does this say to a little brown kid (who is not a bear) who may be searching for a story that’s a little more relatable to them and their experience?
I very much believe in Santa. I am so serious. Every Christmas I see miracles happen, because Santa not only lives in the North Pole, he lives in all of us. I’d like to believe we can make Santa magic happen even when Santa cannot.
Some of my favorite stories are when kids come to the rescue and do something miraculous at Christmas time. I could not find a single book where a little brown boy helped Santa save Christmas. Not one.
I remember grumbling to myself, why is it so difficult to keep building this collection? My family loves Christmas too, why can’t we be represented in the books my kids read?
That was the year (2019) that I decided that the next diverse holiday book that I would add to my family’s collection would be one that I wrote myself.
In The Nick of Time is a timely tale about a little Brown Boy named Nick Saint who helps Santa save Christmas for one special family in need. One snowy day in December, Nick accidentally receives a letter meant for Saint Nick. Realizing that Christmas is almost upon them, he opens the letter. The unexpected message inside ultimately leads him on a journey of understanding poverty, gratitude, and service to others while discovering the real meaning of the holiday spirit.
Nick Saint never really put a lot of thought into his name until one snowy day in December when he accidentally receives a letter meant for Saint Nick. Realizing there is not much time left until Christmas, Nick opens the letter. The unexpected message inside ultimately leads him on a journey of understanding poverty, gratitude, and service to others while discovering the real meaning of the holiday spirit. Nick’s actions and kindness are filled with heartwarming results that even please Santa Claus himself! An endearing story of a little brown boy who helps Santa save Christmas. Children of all ages and backgrounds who read In the Nick of Time will understand that sometimes the smallest act of kindness can take up the biggest space in someone else’s heart.
“In the Nick of Time” is a book written with lessons that fit today’s world and with today’s kids. A book that can be read with kids and teens alike! Read this now to make a happy difference before Christmas in your child’s life! 5 stars!– Green Gables Book Reviews
The Louisville Book Festival 2021 is coming!
This online (Zoom) gathering continues to provide the opportunity to celebrate the city’s culture and vibrancy and reach the goal that all students have access to books in their homes.
Highway 65 is the divide between east and west Louisville. West of 65, there are no book stores which greatly reduces access to books for our children and youth, creating a book desert. Our goal for the Louisville Book Festival is to ensure every child that attends the Book Festival on Children’s Day leaves with at least one free age-appropriate book. We will continue to work on the goal of getting books into the hands of children year-round through our programs like It Pays to Read.
This 501(c) (3) non-profit organization was founded in 2018 to celebrate and promote the love and the benefits of reading, writing, and literacy. We believe that literacy is a fundamental human right and that there is power and purpose in bringing books to life every day of the year. We celebrate books and use them to highlight and grow the resilient culture of our vibrant city, as well as to encourage and elevate our creative thinking as a community. This book is open to the public and we will have amazing authors from all over the nation on hand to talk books and sign copies.
Please join us on October 22nd and 23rd, 2021 via ZOOM for excitement and exploration of all things books! Visit the website for more details.
Connect with The Louisville Book Festival via their website or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.