An award winning author of books for kids from right here in Southwest Michigan visited St. Joseph’s Forever Books on Friday.
Forever Books, 312 State Street, St. Joseph, hosted a book signing for author Kelly J Baptist. Baptist was able to highlight her latest book, ‘Isaiah Dunn Saves The Day.’ Baptist spent the evening autographing books and mingling with readers.
Kelly Baptist is the 2015 We Need Diverse Books short story contest winner with The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn, which is included in the middle grade anthology, Flying Lessons and Other Stories. As a result of her work in an urban school district, Kelly felt compelled to continue Isaiah’s story with Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero and Isaiah Dunn Saves The Day. Kelly has also written a picture book, The Electric Slide and Kai, and a middle grade novel, The Swag Is In The Socks.
Kelly says she has enjoyed writing her entire life as she grew up in Berrien Springs, and now works as a Social Emotional Learning Interventionist for Benton Harbor Public Schools. She keeps herself busy with her five children, who always give her plenty of story ideas and background noise to write to.
Who does Baptist hope to reach with her books? “Any kid who needs to be seen, kids who are passionate about something and want to follow their dreams. Kids who need family and support. Any kid who wants to be heard I hope to reach them.”
Timettas Wilson said she decided to come out and show her support because “I read Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero and it’s a terrific book. I enjoyed that and also The Electric Slide that she read on a webinar, and I am in love with her writing. I even sent one of her books to my grandchildren so they can read Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero.”
“I am always down to support Black owned businesses and Kelly is an amazing black author which we definitely want to celebrate.”, said Karmen Wimberley who attended the book signing at Forever Books.
For more upcoming events and book signings visit https://www.foreverbooks.net/event
and for more on Kelly Baptist visit https://www.kellyiswrite.com.
By Nicholas Gunn, MOTM Contributor
