‘Purple Turtle’ helps children explore their superpowers

Tamera Fair co-wrote “The Purple Turtle” series to show children they posess their own superpowers. PHOTO PROVIDED TAMERA FAIR.
Tamera Fair co-wrote “The Purple Turtle” series to show children they posess their own superpowers. PHOTO PROVIDED TAMERA FAIR.

‘Purple Turtle’ helps children explore their superpowers

By Tia Carol Jones

Tamera Fair used her extensive background in childcare to create “The Purple Turtle.” But, Fair doesn’t just want it to be a book series, she wants it to be a movement, complete with merchandise featuring the characters from the books.

“The Purple Turtle” series Modi, a young girl who finds a magical purple turtle named Grapie. He takes Modi on different adventures to meet other magical underwater creatures that has superpowers.

Fair owns Premier Child Care Centers, which has locations in Pill Hill, Hegewisch, Near North and West Austin. She saw a gap for Black characters in print and she wanted to fill that gap. She took the experiences with all the children that were serviced at the daycare and put it into the book series. The daycare facilities serve as a test ground for the books. It’s more than just a book for Fair.

Fair wants the children who read the books and buy the merchandise to understand they have superpowers and re-engage in their own imagination and creativity. She co-wrote the books with Tonia Evans and said it only took an hour to write the first book. Fair described it as a great experience.

Fair is a writer, activist, actress, producer and mother. She also is the co-host of “The Brunch Bunch” on iHeartRadio. She manages all that she does by designating set times for each thing.

The first book is “Modi’s Magical Adventures” and is available for purchase. The Modi doll and the Grapie emotional intelligence animal are on their way to the marketplace. There will also be jewelry, bags and night lights, with knapsacks, bedding and sleeping bags.

“It was very important for us to make sure that the melanin was a focal point in our characters, because there’s so few books that actually cater to Black and brown children,” Fair said.

Currently there is a perfume, Grapie, that is available for purchase. The perfume was Fair’s most fun product to create because she learned a lot about notes and fragrances and ingredients.

Parents whose children have read the book love it. On the Purple Turtle social media platforms there are videos of parents and teachers reading the book to children. “As the creator of this series, of this whole movement, it is heartwarming to see,” Fair said.

The second book will be titled “The Purple Turtle: Brave.” It will be launched within the next month. Each book has a different message for children. Other books will focus on bravery and imagination.

“I just hope that one day we see this in mass production like we see “The Little Mermaid.” As minorities, we don’t really have any mass production movements like that.  I hope “The Purple Turtle” fills that gap one day,” Fair said. Fair added that representation of characters that look like Black children are important, whether it is in books, animated movies or cartoons.

Fair’s daughter, Modi, owns an Emotional Intelligence Book Lounge and Café, where people can find alternate methods of healing trauma, depression and suppression. Modi also is the author of the book, “Some Women Prefer Hell.” Fair believes it is a testament to her work as a mother that Modi has chosen to continue to work in emotional intelligence and healing.

To purchase the books and merchandise, visit www.thepurpleturtlemodismagicaladventures.com.

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