Anusha and Arnav Chakraborty. Photos by Chris Emeott
Four local authors have written children’s books meant to encourage, expand and promote understanding.
It’s Time to Travel the World by Anusha and Arnav Chakraborty
Anusha and Arnav Chakraborty are siblings who, despite being only 15 and 13, have traveled to 39 countries and counting. “We have been traveling the world since we were infants. We love to explore the food, languages, landmarks and culture of new countries,” Anusha says.
Their first book highlights the siblings’ 12 favorite countries. “Each page gives some history, some important information and some fun facts,” Anusha says. “We have the capitals, flags and where it’s located on each page.”
“I think my favorite country is Thailand, because I think their history is amazing, and the food there is very good,” Arnav says. “The people are amazing there. And I love the tropical weather.”
The duo hopes that their book helps other kids get excited about traveling the world and visiting new places. “Since we have traveled so much, we want to share our experiences about where we’ve been and our favorite countries,” Arnav says. “We want other kids to open up to the world.”
Anusha and Arnav make a good team, and they’ve already published their second book, Let’s Travel to South America. “I really enjoy writing, and I was like, ‘Since I love to write and travel, why not create a traveling book!’” Anusha says. “We enjoyed it together. Even though we had some ups and downs in the process, it went really smoothly.”
Find it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at Hennepin County Libraries
Saturday Morning at the ’Shop by Keenan Jones
Keenan Jones grew up down the street from his local library in University Park, Illinois. “I would go to the library to get a drink of water [after] playing basketball,” Jones says. “The librarian wouldn’t let me leave without taking a book.”
Jones has been writing nonstop throughout his life. When he first returned to a barbershop after COVID-19, he had an idea. “I sat in the chair, and I was like, ‘This is it. I know what my first book is going to be about,’” Jones says. He participated in the Minnesota Writing Project through the University of Minnesota and was accepted into a fellowship for writers of color at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis.
Keenan Jones
Ultimately, with significant effort getting his book in front of publishers, Simon and Schuster’s Beach Lane Books picked up Saturday Morning at the ’Shop.
With the book’s vibrant illustrations and friendly characters, Jones encapsulates a Black barbershop. “It’s more than just a haircut; it’s an experience,” Jones says. “There’s laughter; there’s wisdom. It’s a community hub. I also wanted to counter some stereotypes by showing Black men smiling, having a good time, that positive human connection.”
Every page in the book is a new scene, pulling readers into a different aspect of the shop. Jones’s goal is that the book demystifies the barbershop experience for people who aren’t familiar with it and acknowledges its importance for those who call the barbershop home. “There’s an element of its intention that it’s for Black boys, but it’s really for everybody,” Jones says.
Find it: Strive Bookstore and Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis; Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul; Barnes & Noble at Edina, Mall of America and Roseville; or online at Amazon and Simon & Schuster
Strong Mama, Beautiful Baby by Sarah Schuh
This high-contrast board book is designed with both babies and moms in mind. By pairing black-and-white images, which are important for babies’ early development, with encouraging messages to new moms, Sarah Schuh captures two distinct audiences.
“I was looking for something that would keep me entertained too,” Schuh says. “Wouldn’t it be cool if I infused some messaging that spoke to a mom specifically in her fourth trimester [12 weeks post delivery], which is typically the most challenging with a baby?”
Sarah Schuh
Schuh, who has three children, experienced a challenging fourth trimester with her second child and was struggling to keep herself mentally healthy while also caring for her new baby. There was only one type of book her baby would respond to: black-and-white board books that she would lay him down with to steal a few minutes to herself. “We read these same two black-and-white books over and over,” Schuh says. She craved variety but also validation that she was doing a good job.
Strong Mama, Beautiful Baby reads like a poem where every spread includes something for a baby to engage with as well as a message for a mom who may need some encouragement. “I just want postpartum moms to not feel so lonely in those tougher newborn times and that they’re doing an amazing job with their newborn even if it doesn’t feel like it,” Schuh says.
Find it: Amazon
