Eden's Light

Author Jessica McKay On Tour
Illustrated by Jestenia Southerland
Look inside
A gentle story to help parents and children discuss racial injustice and empower young readers to let their inner lights shine

Like her favorite superheroes, Eden always knew how to save the day.

That is, until one night, she sees something troubling on the television: the story of a Black man who was unjustly treated and hurt by the police. For the first time, Eden feels scared, and she's not exactly sure how to explain it. She does know one thing for sure: the dark seems much scarier now than it did before.

Eden's parents try their best to explain that she is protected and safe, but none of the things that usually soothe her work. It's only when her mother reminds Eden that people can never take away her inner light that Eden understands her most powerful tool to fight the dark.
Jessica McKay's debut picture book, Always with You, Always with me, was co-written with Kelly Rowland and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Her work shines a light on the power of maternal love, starts important conversations, and validates the big feelings of small children with big hearts. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Please visit her on Instagram @AuthoressJess.

Jestenia Southerland has a BFA in film and television studies from Boston University and has a degree in illustration from Syracuse University. She is the illustrator of the Brown Sugar Baby board book series. She lives in North Carolina.

Please visit her online at CitrusFoam.com or on Instagram @JesteniaSoutherland.

About

A gentle story to help parents and children discuss racial injustice and empower young readers to let their inner lights shine

Like her favorite superheroes, Eden always knew how to save the day.

That is, until one night, she sees something troubling on the television: the story of a Black man who was unjustly treated and hurt by the police. For the first time, Eden feels scared, and she's not exactly sure how to explain it. She does know one thing for sure: the dark seems much scarier now than it did before.

Eden's parents try their best to explain that she is protected and safe, but none of the things that usually soothe her work. It's only when her mother reminds Eden that people can never take away her inner light that Eden understands her most powerful tool to fight the dark.

Author

Jessica McKay's debut picture book, Always with You, Always with me, was co-written with Kelly Rowland and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Her work shines a light on the power of maternal love, starts important conversations, and validates the big feelings of small children with big hearts. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three children.

Please visit her on Instagram @AuthoressJess.

Jestenia Southerland has a BFA in film and television studies from Boston University and has a degree in illustration from Syracuse University. She is the illustrator of the Brown Sugar Baby board book series. She lives in North Carolina.

Please visit her online at CitrusFoam.com or on Instagram @JesteniaSoutherland.

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