Eden's Light

Illustrated by Jestenia Southerland
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.

Books for National Depression Education and Awareness Month

For National Depression Education and Awareness Month in October, we are sharing a collection of titles that educates and informs on depression, including personal stories from those who have experienced depression and topics that range from causes and symptoms of depression to how to develop coping mechanisms to battle depression.

Read more

Horror Titles for the Halloween Season

In celebration of the Halloween season, we are sharing horror books that are aligned with the themes of the holiday: the sometimes unknown and scary creatures and witches. From classic ghost stories and popular novels that are celebrated today, in literature courses and beyond, to contemporary stories about the monsters that hide in the dark, our list

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ History Month

For LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, we’re celebrating the shared history of individuals within the community and the importance of the activists who have fought for their rights and the rights of others. We acknowledge the varying and diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community that have shaped history and have led the way for those

Read more