Photo courtesy of Black News
A Sacramento woman released a children’s book series after her 8-year-old son asked why police kept killing Black people.
Crystel Patterson, a technology consultant and mother of two boys, said she never imagined she would be an author of a children’s book series since writing was never a hobby or a passion for her. However, she realized her children’s literature could impact young Black boys and girls learning about police brutality, Black News reported
.“That question just stayed with me over the next few days because it was such a provocative and heartbreaking question coming from a child,” she said.
After the conversations she had with her two sons, Patterson decided that she wanted to write positive depictions of Black people in the children’s book series.
Patterson said she wants children to learn about Black culture and inspiration through real people’s stories. Her first book, “One Flip, Two Flip, Three Flip, Four,” is about three-time Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. She released her second book entitled, “I Am Different,” a story about Kheris Rogers, a teenage fashion designer who created a clothing line called “Flexin’ in My Complexion” after being bullied for her skin color.
Recently, she published a superhero book called “Superheroes Here and There,” dedicated to the late Chadwick Boseman, who was known for the infamous saying “Wakanda Forever” as he portrayed Black Panther in the well-known Marvel series.
“When children read my books, I want them to know that someone real is behind these stories. I want them to say, ‘Hey, if they did that, I could do that too,'” she said.
Patterson said it’s important for her children and other Black boys and girls to get inspired by other successful Black figures. However, she revealed that her children’s literature is not only for children to enjoy.
“I actually want kids who aren’t Black to see these stories of Black people and be inspired by them because I think that could make a huge difference in the way other races view Black people,” she says. “The messages in my stories are universal. Any child should be able to relate to them… it’s just that I make sure to stay focused on Black characters.”
She said her children’s book series has gained recognition from other children, including a six-year-old girl who was inspired after reading “I Am Different.”
Then, a first-grade teacher used “One Flip, Two Flip, Three Flip, Four” to teach her children how to read.
“It’s so validating to receive such positive feedback about how children are receiving my books and how they are being used by adults to help children,” she said.
Patterson’s books are available on her website and wherever books are sold online.