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FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @MAKINIREGALDESIGNS

Here she is!! I am so excited to finally reveal th

Here she is!! I am so excited to finally reveal the cover of my beautiful, new alphabet book @worldofzurirose available for pre-orders on April 19th.

Zuri Rose, is a curious, imaginative, and rambunctious girl from Brooklyn, New York. She learned all about flowers from her mum who owns a flower shop in New York City’s flower district. Surrounded by flowers in her mum’s flower shop, Zuri invites readers on a journey as she shares fun facts about flowers.

Although Zuri Rose’s blackness is not central to the story, it was important for me to include Black characters as they continue to be underrepresented in children’s literature. In 2019, only 11.9% of U.S. children’s books had a Black main character.* I am elated that Black children will be able to see themselves and their families beautifully illustrated and positively represented in this book.

Sign up using the link in my bio to be the first to know when pre-orders are available.

Illustrations by @haleydoods

*Sourced from Cooperative Children’s Book Center

#thewonderfulworldofzurirose
#worldofzurirose
#flowersatoz
#alphabetbook
#stembookforkids

What I loved most about creating @worldofzurirose

What I loved most about creating @worldofzurirose was that I got to infuse cultural references into the book that matter to me. Like, for example, hibiscus being the origin of #sorrel and the national flower of Haiti or that lavender, not only smells great but also has medicinal uses. There is also, of course, a reference to Trinidad and my Granny’s flower garden 🌺

I curated every detail of this book to teach children about all of the wonderful ways in which flowers impact our lives. It contains some STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, Math) fun facts about flowers described in an imaginative way that will not only teach children but also inspire their curiosity about nature and geography.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my book cover and I hope you’ll love it as much as I do 🌸

P.S. This is my official author photo, that I used in the book. 💄@danieandthebloom 📷 @bufotos

#thewonderfulworldofzurirose #worldofzurirose #kidlitwomen #flowersatoz #makiniregal #

If I know nothing else to be true, I know that thi

If I know nothing else to be true, I know that this man would do just about anything for me. He may do it begrudgingly but he’ll get it done 🤣 And if there’s one person in this world who will go door to door selling books to ensure that @worldofzurirose is a success, it will be him. Happy birthday, Sekou!! I am a very lucky girl to have you as a dad and Zuri is even luckier to have you as a Papa.

#fathersanddaughters

Why must you include a black girl on the cover of

Why must you include a black girl on the cover of your book? You’ll alienate white consumers.

Perhaps you should consider making Zuri Rose lighter so that she’s more marketable.

Your book is too sophisticated for your audience.

Why does Zuri Rose have to live in a brownstone? Other children might think she’s “stuck up” since most NYC kids live in apartments.

It’s an alphabet book. Why do you even need a character?

Why are you prototyping a doll? You don’t even know if anyone is going to buy your book. You’re jumping the gun.

Why don’t you go the traditionally published route? Indie authors don’t sell books.

The cover is too girlie. Why don’t you add a boy to the cover? Boys love flowers too.

Are you sure your followers of mainly black women can afford your book? You should consider lowering the price.

I could go on and on about the feedback I’ve gotten and the micro-aggressions I’ve experienced throughout this book publishing journey. It’s exhausting but I am finally ready to tune out the noise and commit to a book launch date.

On April 19th, The Wonderful World of Zuri Rose: Flowers A-Z will be available for pre-orders through Kickstarter. Why Kickstarter? I’ll share more on that soon.

Also, if 9 of you follow my book page @worldofzurirose I can finally reveal my book cover 🌸🌸🌸

#thewonderfulworldofzurirose
#worldofzurirose
#flowerbook
#childrensbookauthor

I posted this in a Mom’s group after a really st

I posted this in a Mom’s group after a really stressful night with Zuri. Just felt like sharing it again.
⁣
Last night, I was child and husband free. That may not sound like a big deal for some but for me, it was a much needed break to unwind and reflect. For the past few weeks, bedtime with my daughter has been insanity. I don’t even have the mental capacity to type out all of the challenges we were having with getting Zuri to bed. I’m having heart palpitations just thinking about it 🤣⁣
⁣
Two nights ago, after I finally got her to sleep, I went back in her room, put my hand on her head and prayed over my baby in a way that I have never done before.⁣
⁣
I prayed about the tantrums, the outbursts and most importantly, the shrieking screams that have potential to drive me to madhouse. I also prayed for strength, courage and patience to continue to be the kind and nurturing mother that I have worked so hard to be.⁣
⁣
The more I prayed, the more I sobbed and when I was done, I crawled in her little toddler bed, held her close and went to sleep.⁣
⁣
When she woke up the next morning, she was elated to see me in her bed. After our morning rituals, I said to her, “Zuri, we both had a really rough night. Mum is trying to learn new ways to support you when you’re having big feelings. And because I’ve never been a Mummy before, I don’t always know how to help you feel better. So, please be patient with me while I learn.”⁣
⁣
Even though she’s only four, she gave me a reassuring look, as if she understood exactly what I was saying. Moments like that, carry me through the more challenging times when I feel so defeated and unsure of this whole motherhood thing.

#tozuriwithlove #motherhoodunplugged

Most of what I know about flowers, I learned from

Most of what I know about flowers, I learned from both my grandmothers whom were avid gardeners and flower enthusiasts. I have so many memories of being in their gardens, in Trinidad, and discovering all of the wonder that is flowers. In some unconscious way, starting a floral design company @makiniregaldesigns was an ode to them.⁣
⁣
I gave birth to the idea for my children’s book, almost four years ago, when I was pregnant with Zuri and building her library. I knew that I wanted to teach her about flowers, just like my grandmothers’ taught me, but I could not find a book that appealed to me. So, I wrote the book that I wanted to see on bookshelves. ⁣
⁣
“The Wonderful World of Zuri Rose: Flowers A-Z” is the first of my book series which will be released this spring. I am dying to show you what I’ve created! Follow my new book page @worldofzurirose and sign up (link in my bio) to be notified when preorders are open 💗
⁣
#thewonderfulworldofzurirose⁣ #childrensbookauthor #alphabetbook #makiniregal

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