Authored By Us

Javvon was living the life of a normal middle-schooler.  He had an annoying little sister, a loyal best friend, his first crush, and of course, daily encounters with the school bully.  Normal, right?  That's until Javvon acquired super powers and went on a mission to protect his neighborhood, save the occasional stray cat, and take down his arch nemesis.  This seems like a normal day for THE SUPADUPA KID as longs as he gets home in time to complete his homework.

It's hard enough being the new kid and when you don't speak the same language as everyone else you standout even more - and not in a good way.  In her new book,  I Am Not Being Lazy, I Just Don't Understand, Gina Paul shares a story based on her experiences as she and her family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York from the Caribbean island of Haiti.  This heartwarming story about young Georgette's struggle to be seen even though her words could not be understood is a tale of triumph for all.

While books may contain stories, not all stories are found in books.  The tradition of storytelling is deeply rooted in the history and culture of people throughout the diaspora and around the globe.  And there is a difference between reading a story and telling a story, a distinction we will hear and experience from this week's guest, master storyteller, Glenn Kwabena Davis.  Gather 'round, It's Story Time on Authored By Us. 

Zara's weekly hair washing ritual with her mother is anything but mundane.  While she may not look forward to the discomfort which accompanies the washing and combing of her hair, she enjoys the time she spends with her mother learning about her heritage and her HAIRITAGE.  Hairstyles some simple, yet telling a story of pride and a rich African legacy which reveal to Zara that with her "crown" on her head she can take on the world.

Storytelling is a tradition in African and Caribbean culture and How Red Ants Got Their Color is a story within a story.  Author I. Carol Husbands shares a telling tale not just about a father and daughter enjoying a picnic interrupted by the ants but the story is beautifully set with the picturesque island of St. Thomas as a major character.  Listen and and perhaps you will learn just how red ants really got their color.

Being bullied is the pits!  This is something that Max and Levi have experienced individually but when their paths collide and they have to encounter the school bully, they become fast friends and learn that not only are they stronger together, they learn that their friendship is their superpower.  The Adventures of Max and Levi: The Alpha League Book Series is a wonderfully written origin story that shows children how to find strength within and affirms that you, too, can be a super hero.

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Culture Greetings is an Atlanta based tech startup that allows consumers to pick a culturally relevant physical greeting card and write a personal note using handwriting fonts.  Visit Culture Greetings and enjoy 25% of birthday cards when you purchase as an Authored By Us listener.

We tend to depart the presence of loved ones by sending wishes to "Have a Good Day," without thinking what that really means and also assuming that their day begins once they have left our presence.  Join author Julie Carter as she shares her book, A Good Day as it chronicles the daily routine of "CJ" as he and his family give us insight that a good day truly starts at home, from the moment you wake and in the company of those you love.

Episode Sponsor
Culture Greetings is an Atlanta based tech startup that allows consumers to pick a culturally relevant physical greeting card and write a personal note using handwriting fonts.  Visit Culture Greetings and enjoy 25% of birthday cards when you purchase as an Authored By Us listener.

What started as a class assignment became an expression of creativity and pride, and has now been produced as Tacardra Rountree's latest book, "Hello Queen."  Powerfully written with words of empowerment and beautifully illustrated with the custom work of acclaimed artist, Audrey “Sala Adenike” Jeter- Allen, "Hello Queen" is a blessing to young queens everywhere.

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Follow Audrey “Sala Adenike” Jeter- Allen on Twitter and Instagram at @SalaAdenike.

Children are always picking things up and parents have to make sure they are picking up the right things.  This is the focus of "Someone is Watching You," by author Omar Chin.  From the moment of birth, a child relies on its parent for nurturing and that nurturing is for both the body and the soul.  With each interaction, a parent teaches a child how he or she should walk through life because that child may one day become a parent and will be responsible as someone will soon be watching him or her.

As a parent and author of children's books, Omar has crafted a not just a story but a teaching tool for parents, mentors, and young readers as they learn how to receive the baton and be prepared to pass it along in the future.

About our Author
Omar Chin was born in The Bronx, NY to Jamaican parents and was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He has always enjoyed writing, teaching, and helping children grow by realizing their full potential. When he was in middle school, he began to write short stories which helped to stretch his imagination. From that point on he explored different writing styles like poetry, storytelling, and short narratives. When he was in college, he started to mentor kids and learned that they had much more to offer if they were given the opportunity. He realized that there was an opportunity to combine all of his passions by writing children's books with the hopes that they will inspire conversations between children and adults.  Someone is Watching You is available on Amazon in paperback and e-book.

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Mr. Pete's Playhouse is a children's program that takes children of all ages on a fun learning adventure, which includes various segments of songs, dance, readings and so much more!  Catch episodes of Mr. Pete’s Playhouse on YouTube.

About our Host
Zenzi Hodge is the author of the 2014 children's book, The Never Snowy Christmas.  The story tells the tale of a young boy wanting it to snow in his island home of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and the antics he employs to make it snow in paradise.