We are so proud of @AuthorDeedeeCummings for winning MULTIPLE Story Monster’s Inc. Purple Dragonfly Awards!
Book Summary
The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess is a heartwarming story about the importance of family, dreams, knowing your worth, and a determination for growth. Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams is the second book in a five-part series that shines the spotlight on a little Black girl who never lets anything get in the way of her dreams.
Feisty and determined, Kayla shares her world with all around her and learns not to judge others along the way. In Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams, Kayla also meets Tommie; a unique new neighbor that needs a friend who is understanding and non-judgmental.
Reading stories with characters who look like you, builds self-esteem.
Reading stories with characters who look like our world builds empathy. Kayla shares her world with everyone around her and learns not to judge others along the way. The world is filled with gifts sent directly to you. Staying open to finding them is key.
The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by real-life budding Broadway Star, Kayla Pecchioni: a young Black woman who has always lived her life by believing in herself while letting nothing get in the way of her dreams.
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 Praise Of:
“5.0 out of 5 stars Great Holiday Storyline! We loved everything about this story. It’s just perfect for helping children learn about joy of giving to others. My daughter is six and loved the story too.”~SCGIRLSHOPS
“Read this now to make a difference for your kids this Christmas! 5 stars! 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
“In the Nick of Time” is a book about learning to have compassion for others, teaching awareness of others’ situations, and learning that doing things to help others can make you feel really great. Highly recommended to read with your whole family before Christmas.” ~Amazon reviewer
Book Summary
This beautiful diverse picture book is a heartwarming story about family matters, role models, dreams, gender diversity, and discovering a determination for growth.
As the third book in a five-book #OWNVOICES series, Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess shines the spotlight on the evolving life of a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. The Kayla series was inspired by the author’s own daughter and Broadway actress, Kayla Pecchioni.
Parents and Teachers: Deedee Cummings has spent more than two decades working within the family therapy and support field, and much of her writing shares her experiences of working with kids in therapeutic foster care. Using therapeutic techniques in her stories to teach coping skills, Cummings strives to lessen the stigma surrounding children and adults suffering in silence from mental health issues. As a family therapist, many of her tried-and-true therapy techniques are skillfully woven into this story to show young readers gentle ways to cope and find inner peace.
Cummings’ third book in the series pushes forward issues of gender bias and negative self-image among tweens, and its overall messages are valuable and necessary. ~Kirkus
“Cummings seamlessly weaves mental health techniques throughout the series. Tough As Tulle, alone, has more than six dozen coping skills within a short story. Little kids everywhere will start doing some of these things in their daily lives automatically and it may make all the difference in the success of their day.”~Dr. Jane Kim, Psychiatrist
“I cannot wait to see where the last two books in this series take us because the stories and the lessons in the first three books have been phenomenal! I love the message that being different is special as a reminder because not everyone thinks that way. There is a second lesson within the book that I don’t want to share because it is an amazing surprise with superb responses that is valuable to every person alive.” ~ Leels Loves Books
“The book introduces the concept of gender bias, self-esteem, and more. It also has a nice quick pace and the illustrations are spot on.” ~Gina Rae Michell
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess–These Shoes Are Made For Dancing is the fourth book in a five-book #OWNVOICES series that follows the story of a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams.
In These Shoes Are Made For Dancing, Kayla faces feelings of self-doubt and loss while finding new ways to remind herself of what is real and important in life. This feisty little dancer is determined to carve her own path as she continues to fall in love with the world of performing arts. The Kayla series was inspired by the author’s daughter and Broadway actress, Kayla Pecchioni.
Parents and Teachers: Deedee Cummings has spent more than two decades working within the family therapy and support field, and much of her writing shares her experiences of working with kids in therapeutic foster care. Using therapeutic techniques in her stories to teach coping skills, Cummings strives to lessen the stigma surrounding children and adults suffering in silence from mental health issues. As a family therapist, many of her tried-and-true therapy techniques are skillfully woven into this story to show young readers gentle ways to cope and find inner peace.
Available in ebook and paperback.
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