Stories About Children Accomplishing Goals Meant To Inspire Young People
Stories About Children Accomplishing Goals Meant To Inspire Young People
By Tia Carol Jones
Dr. Veronica Appleton always knew children’s literature was a space where she could create an impact, with stories about children accomplishing their goals and dreams. Despite being rejected by multiple publishers over the course of five years, she decided to continue to write. “Journey to Appleville” was the first in her collection of books. This summer, Appleton released “Mama Why,” a comic book about a young boy who loses friends to gun violence and becomes a community activist.
“Journey to Appleville” is about six children from a neighborhood going to Appleville and visiting the Appleville Fairy in order to accomplish their goals. The book sold more than 900 copies and has been featured in different places throughout the Chicagoland area.
“I’m just very, very happy with the ways in which families have connected with the book, and also children,” Appleton said.
Appleton is a certified diversity professional and the co-founder of Candidly Connecting, a diversity education firm. She is also Publicis Media’s U.S. Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. With that work, she educates workplaces on creating safe environments for people of color, people with disabilities and veterans and those who are aging. With her books, she tells stories about children accomplishing their goals with the hope they will be inspired to create change in their communities. Appleton said her work and the books work hand in hand, operating as roles in the same world, even though they look very different.
“It’s a part of educating and creating stories and narratives that can help share some sort of change, whether it is for the child, whether it’s for the community, whether it’s for the parents in the home, even the teachers they encounter,” she said.
Appleton came up with the idea for “Mama Why” after writing “Journey to Appleville.” She knew because of what was going on in the world, with the deaths of Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Laquan McDonald and others. She wanted it to be a reflection of what systemic change could look like. The book was a way for her to say to parents, churches, educators and the community that it was necessary to look at the way children process violence in the community.
“It’s important for us to create stories where children can see what’s happening, where they may not have full context, but through a tool, like “Mama Why,” … that’s how we can make it happen,” she said.
The comic book, which is recommended for children ages 9 years old to 12 years old, also has a discussion guide, as well as tips for equity. It encourages readers to understand the past, while recognizing the need to advocate for a safe and brighter future.
Appleton hopes that readers of the comic book feel empowered to create a sense of community and further the commitment of equity, as well as encouraging a sense of giving back, while educating others. In the comic book, there are ads from Bernie’s Book Bank, Burst Into Books and Therapy for Kids, which are organizations that have a commitment to young people that Appleton admires. She said that when a reader feels empowered, they are inspired to do more in the community they live in.
Appleton said the children who read her books have been really excited to see characters who look like them. She said those children have also been inspired to hear from an author. She said “TuTu Goes to School,” which is the second book in the “Journey to Appleville” series, and “Mama Why” go hand-in-hand because they are both books that feature Black children who love school and also love serving and committing to their community.
“I am just so grateful that what was intended to inspire and empower the little humans in the world has also done so for their families and for their parents, and that’s a beautiful thing to see,” she said.
Appleton wants to encourage writers, illustrators and creatives to create moments for writing and connecting. She wants people to be inspired to create their own stories because there is room and space for them.
For more information about Dr. Veronica Appleton and her books, visit www.veronicaappleton.com.
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