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Aug. 9, 2017
Contact: Laurie Marshall 415-612-0401 [email protected]
-For Immediate Release –The Flood of Kindness – Inspired by Hurricane Katrina -
Child Author’s Book Hits A Universal Wave
Aug. 23rd, 2017 marks the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans is flooding again. These events coincide with the release of a unique children’s book called “The Flood of Kindness – Inspired by Hurricane Katrina”, written by a child for children. In 2011, De’Ante Webster of Indianapolis, wrote a story for an historical fiction assignment by his third grade class about Hurricane Katrina. In it, a boy’s memory
of his best friend, who died in the flood, magically helps kindness return to New Orleans
where anger, division and mistrust had taken over.
When Laurie Marshall, professional artist, educator and long-time friend of De’Ante’s
family read the story, she googled the main character, Jessica Park. She thought the girl in
the story was real, but De’Ante had made her up. Moved to bring this powerful story to
the world, Laurie worked on illustrations and Dee wrote and re-wrote the story.
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Page 2, Flood, cont.
After six years of collaborating, the book finally can be purchased on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Flood-Kindness-Inspired-Hurricane-Katrina/dp/069290686X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502417379&sr=8-1&keywords=the+flood+of+kindness.
De’Ante describes his process and motivation: “My mom introduced me to the tragedy
known as Hurricane Katrina at an early age. She had attended to Grambling State
University and showed me videos and pictures of the event. This made me pretty
emotional and the tragedy stayed in mind. My third grade teacher, Mrs. Crowe,
introduced us to an historical fiction story project. I knew immediately that I wanted to
write about Hurricane Katrina. When I decided to write a story about Hurricane Katrina, I
knew I wanted to add a positive aspect to the story. I enjoyed writing the story and felt
like I knew Jessica.
I want kids to learn how the power of kindness can change your life and the life of
others. I want to bring to light the story of Hurricane Katrina and how devastating it was
to the people who lived in New Orleans at the time. I feel like this story can reach out to
people around the world. If it reaches New Orleans, I would be very proud and honored.
In keeping with the spirit of the story, De’Ante and Laurie decided to give 25% of the proceeds from the book to a non-profit that helps those still affected by Hurricane Katrina. Now that flooding has re-occurred in New Orleans, the timeliness of the story and the
financial support for the United Way of South East Louisiana is even more urgent. The
Flood of Kindness is written for third graders, the age De’Ante was when he wrote it. Maya Linney, a 16 year-old artist in El Paso, Texas, said it is a good book for any age. There are ideas about how to increase the flood of kindness with children at the website,http://www.thefloodofkindness.com.
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What readers have to say:
"Ms. Shelton loves the book, but said someone else will need to read it to the kids, because she wept, and would again." Barbara Oberreich, Indianapolis, IN
"The archetypal symbolism of the connection between expressing grief, healing trauma and regenerating Nature, coming from someone so young, is remarkable." Robert Moorehead , San Rafael, CA
"The Flood of Kindness is very engaging, simultaneously melancholy and uplifting. The illustrations are wonderful. Laurie Marshall’s ability to birth De’Ante’s story is such a gift to this very accomplished young man. I hope that he is continuing to write." Jeannie Roggio, Philadelphia, PA
"Maybe I can write a book!" Kindergarten Student, Indianapolis, IN“As a former New Orleanian I am so grateful for this story, knowing it will touch and reach many others.”Stewart Kelly
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