Keishia Lee Louis - Luminance Literacy

The Transformative Power of Patience: How Waiting Shapes Our Lives

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 21:17:43 GMT

What Can Your Child Do While Waiting for Life's Milestones?

Patience is one of the most valuable life skills a child can develop, yet it’s often one of the hardest to practice—especially when they see friends hitting milestones before they do. Whether it’s losing a first tooth, learning to ride a bike, or reaching a big achievement in school, waiting can feel frustrating and lonely.
As parents, we want to reassure our children that they are on their own unique timeline. That’s why books like Wonder in the Waiting help kids understand that waiting is not about being left behind—it’s about growing in their own time.

In this post, we’ll explore:
A) strategies to help children develop patience,
B) ways to foster a sense of belonging even when they feel “behind,” and
C) important life lessons children learn while they wait.

Helping Children Develop Patience When Friends Reach Milestones First
It’s natural for kids to compare themselves to their friends, but patience is a skill they can build with the right support. Here are four strategies to help your child develop patience:

1. Celebrate Their Own Milestones
Instead of focusing on what hasn’t happened yet, highlight the things your child has accomplished. Maybe they haven’t lost their first tooth, but they learned to tie their shoes, mastered a puzzle, or made a new friend.
👉 Try this: Create a “Look What I Did!” chart where your child can track their own achievements, big or small.

2. Use Positive Affirmations
Kids absorb the messages they hear. Reinforce the idea that they are on their own perfect timeline with affirmations like:
✅ “I am growing at the right time.”
✅ “Great things are worth the wait.”
✅ “My time will come, and I will be ready.”
👉 Try this: Say an affirmation together each morning to start the day with confidence.

3. Teach the Power of Perspective
Help kids shift their focus from comparison to curiosity. Instead of thinking, Why hasn’t it happened to me yet?, they can ask, What can I learn while I wait?
👉 Try this: When your child feels left out, ask them to notice something great about themselves that has nothing to do with a milestone.
4. Read Books That Reinforce Patience
Children’s books like Wonder in the Waiting help kids see that waiting is part of growing up. Reading about characters who experience the same feelings can be comforting and empowering.
👉 Try this: After reading Wonder in the Waiting, ask your child: Have you ever had to wait for something special? How did you feel when it finally happened?

Fostering a Sense of Belonging When Friends Seem Ahead
When children feel like they’re the only ones who haven’t reached a milestone, they may struggle with feeling left out. Here are three ways to help them feel included and valued:

1. Find Shared Experiences
Even if your child is waiting for one milestone, they may have shared experiences with their friends in other areas. Maybe they all love a certain book, enjoy the same sport, or like the same games.
👉 Try this: Help your child find a “me too” moment when talking to friends. For example, “I haven’t lost a tooth yet, but I did just learn how to whistle!”

2. Create a “Waiting Buddy”
Chances are, your child is not the only one still waiting for a certain milestone. Finding a friend or sibling who is also in the same boat can be reassuring.
👉 Try this: If your child feels like the only one who hasn’t reached a milestone, help them identify a friend who’s also waiting. Encourage them to cheer each other on!

3. Shift the Focus to Strengths
Waiting for something doesn’t mean they’re behind—it just means their strengths might lie elsewhere. Remind your child that every person has different talents and abilities that make them special.
👉 Try this: Ask your child, What’s something you’re really good at? Then, help them see that their unique skills are just as important as any milestone.

Lessons Children Learn While They Wait
Waiting isn’t just about patience—it’s about growth. Here are four powerful lessons children learn during the waiting process:

1. Resilience: Handling Disappointment with Strength
Life doesn’t always move at the speed we want, and learning to navigate delays helps kids develop resilience. They learn that frustration is part of the process but doesn’t define the outcome.

2. Gratitude: Appreciating the Journey
When children finally reach a long-awaited milestone, they appreciate it even more. The wait makes the moment feel earned and special.

3. Empathy: Understanding Others’ Struggles
A child who has had to wait for something important will be more compassionate toward others in the same situation. They will recognize how it feels to be in someone else’s shoes.

4. Confidence: Trusting Their Own Timeline
Once children realize that they don’t have to rush or compare themselves to others, they develop confidence in their own journey. They learn that their moment will come, and they will be ready when it does.

Final Thoughts: Waiting is a Superpower
In a world that moves fast, learning to wait is a superpower. Wonder in the Waiting reminds children (and parents!) that every milestone happens at the right time. Through stories, affirmations, and patience-building activities, we can help kids embrace their own unique journey.
📚 Want to help your child develop patience? Grab a copy of Wonder in the Waiting from my publisher Free Sparrows Kids, and explore the beauty of growing in your own time!

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From Farm to Table: Teaching Kids Where Their Food Comes From

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:00:00 GMT

A book about farm life fun written by Keishia Lee Louis

Have you ever heard a child say that milk comes from the grocery store or that vegetables magically appear in the fridge? Many kids grow up enjoying delicious meals without knowing the journey their food takes to get to their plate. Teaching children about the farm-to-table process helps them appreciate farmers, understand nutrition, and become mindful eaters.

Step 1: Start with a Simple Question
Ask your child: Where does food come from? Their answers might surprise you! Some kids might say “the store” or “the fridge,” which is a great starting point for a conversation about farming.

Step 2: Explore the Journey of Food
Here’s a simple breakdown of the farm-to-table journey:

Farmers Grow the Food – Fruits, vegetables, and grains start as seeds in the soil. Farmers work hard to plant, water, and harvest them.
Animals Provide Dairy, Eggs, and Meat – Cows give us milk, chickens lay eggs, and sheep provide wool. Teaching kids about humane farming practices is important too!
Food Gets Transported – Trucks, trains, and boats move food from farms to

stores, restaurants, and schools.
Grocery Stores and Farmers’ Markets Sell the Food – Kids can help pick fresh produce at a farmers’ market or store.
Meals Are Made at Home or in Restaurants – Cooking together helps kids understand food preparation and reduces picky eating.

Step 3: Hands-On Learning Activities

Grow a Mini Garden – Start with easy crops like cherry tomatoes, herbs, or lettuce in a pot or backyard garden.
Visit a Farm – Many local farms offer tours where kids can see cows being milked or apples being picked.
Cook Together – Choose a simple recipe and talk about where each ingredient comes from.
Read Books About Farming – Stories like Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson or How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? by Chris Butterworth make learning fun.

Step 4: Make It Fun and Engaging

Play a farm-to-table matching game where kids match foods to their sources (e.g., bread → wheat, cheese → cow).
Challenge kids to eat a "rainbow" of fruits and veggies and learn where each one grows.
Try a farmers’ market scavenger hunt—find a fruit, a vegetable, something from an animal, and something homemade.

Why This Matters
Understanding where food comes from helps children develop healthy eating habits, appreciate nature, and reduce food waste. Plus, it builds a connection between kids and the hardworking farmers who feed the world!

Breaking High Notes: Black Opera Singers Who Made History

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Meet Kiara—A Star in the Making! □□ If your child loves music, big dreams, and a little drama (the good kind!), then they’ll love Kiara’s Prima Donna Dilemma! Follow Kiara, a young Black girl with BIG opera dreams, as she finds her voice, overcomes self-doubt, and learns that being a prima donna isn’t just about singing the loudest—it’s about heart, determination, and a little bit of flair! □ Perfect for kids who love music, storytelling, and adventure! □ A great way to introduce children to the magic of opera and Black musical excellence! □ Coming soon—don’t miss it!

Opera might seem like a world of fancy costumes and high, high notes—but did you know some of the most powerful voices in history belong to Black opera singers? Today, we’re celebrating the trailblazers who hit the highest notes and shattered the biggest barriers! If you’ve ever wondered, “Can Black people be opera singers?” or “Who are the most famous Black opera singers?”—get ready to meet some legendary voices!
1. Marian Anderson: The Woman Who Opened the Door 🚪🎤
Marian Anderson didn’t just sing—she made history! When the Daughters of the American Revolution wouldn’t let her perform at Constitution Hall (yikes 😡), she didn’t back down. Instead, she sang in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, with 75,000 people watching and millions more listening on the radio. She later became the first Black singer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955!
⭐ Fun Fact: Marian’s voice was so breathtaking that a conductor once said it came "once in a hundred years!"

2. Leontyne Price: The Voice of Gold 🌟🎶
Leontyne Price wasn’t just an opera singer—she was a superstar! With her rich, golden voice, she dominated the world’s biggest opera houses. Her performance in Aida (one of opera’s greatest roles) was so legendary that people still talk about it today.

🎭 Why She’s Amazing: She won 19 Grammy Awards (yes,

NINETEEN) and was the first Black woman to become a superstar at the Met Opera.

3. Jessye Norman: A Voice as Big as the Sky 🌌🎼
Jessye Norman’s voice was powerful, warm, and unforgettable. Whether she was singing opera or spirituals, she commanded the stage like royalty. She performed at the Olympics, for presidents, and all over the world.
🎤 Best Moment: When she sang “La Marseillaise” (France’s national anthem) in Paris, people cried because it was that beautiful.

4. Kathleen Battle: The Queen of High Notes 👑🎵
If you love high, sparkly notes that sound like magic, Kathleen Battle is your girl! She’s known for her angelic soprano voice and has performed in operas, jazz concerts, and even gospel music.
🎶 Fun Fact: She once performed a concert with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis, proving that opera and jazz can be besties!

5. J’Nai Bridges: The Opera Star of Today 🌍🎭
J’Nai Bridges is showing the world that opera is for everyone! With her deep, rich mezzo-soprano voice, she’s bringing fresh energy to classics and proving that Black excellence is alive and well in the opera world.
✨ Why She’s Awesome: She’s performed at the Met Opera, won major awards, and uses her platform to inspire young Black musicians.

Why Representation in Opera Matters 🎤✊🏽
For a long time, people thought opera was just for certain voices—but these Black opera singers proved that talent knows no color! Now, young singers like Kiara (from Kiara’s Prima Donna Dilemma) can dream of standing on stage and hitting their own high notes.
Want to Listen? Here’s a Playlist of Black Opera Stars in Action! 🎧(Include links to YouTube performances or a Spotify playlist featuring these artists.)
Opera Challenge! 🎶Try listening to one of these amazing singers and see if you can mimic their high notes! (Warning: You might make the dog howl! 🐶😂)

What do you think? Do you have a favorite opera singer? Drop a comment below and let’s celebrate these incredible voices! 🎭🎤💖

Buy the Book Kiara's Prima Donna Dilemma from My Publisher

Building Relationships Through Creative Literacy Skills: 7 Fun Family Activities You Can Do at Home or on the Road

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:30:59 GMT

This past weekend, Ernst and I participated in another book fair, but what really stood out was an ongoing literacy exhibit the North Cobb Regional library had going on in their garden. Ernst's book, "I Know a Horse" was featured. We were excited and honored because not only was his book the only one selected for this exhibit, but also because they purchased copies for circulation.

If you are in the area, request a copy!

So what does this experience have to do with creative literacy and your family? Read on to find out!

When people think of literacy, they often think of academics, but literacy is the foundation of communication. The more skilled one becomes at the art of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, the stronger he or she can become at building relationships, rapport, and adept personal agency.

Fall break is right around the corner and so often, it’s easy for us to allow more screen time when kids say they are bored. Yes, I’m talking to myself-- the literacy advocate and author. But I'm also the fatigued, and well-meaning parent. Like you, I feel all the mom guilt as my little one does her thing on her laptop or tablet. But I am thankful that she is still managing to develop into a bright and creative person.

A little history.

When our two adult children were small, we were very fortunate to have a lot of time to invest in building their literacy skills at home. We homeschooled them for almost ten years.

However, with our youngest one, we needed to shift. I went back to work full-time, and it has been a challenge to stay consistent and creative, despite being a certified educator.

Between busy work and activity schedules--and simply being tired--I completely empathize with young parents who wonder how can we keep our children actively engaged with the art of listening, reading, speaking, and writing, the foundational components of literacy.

The good news is that some creative literacy activities you probably already do: cooking from recipes, putting together toys or furniture, and telling bedtime stories. But if you are looking for things to do during a staycation, long car trip, or school break, here are a few unusual and creative ways to support literacy at home, beyond the traditional "read every night" routine:

1. Storytelling Jar
Create a “storytelling jar” filled with random objects, pictures, or words written on slips of paper. Encourage your child to pull out a few items and craft a story around them. This sparks imagination and helps children practice narrative skills in a fun, low-pressure way.

2. Book Scavenger Hunt
Turn reading into an adventure by hosting a book scavenger hunt. Hide books around the house, and give clues related to characters, themes, or plotlines to find them. You can tie this in with topics they’re learning in school or current events. This activity turns books into treasures to be discovered!

3. DIY Comic Books
Encourage your child to create their own comic book or graphic novel. Provide blank comic panels, markers, and a prompt to help them get started. This taps into their love for visual storytelling, encouraging them to blend words and art to convey a narrative. Plus, it shows that storytelling can take many forms!

4. Picture to Story Challenge
Take family photos, old magazines, or random images from the internet and challenge your child to write a short story based on the picture. Ask guiding questions like, "What do you think is happening here?" or "Who are these people, and where are they going?" This activity strengthens descriptive writing and narrative structure, while also allowing your child to connect visuals with words.

5. Letterboxing
Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby that combines treasure hunting and puzzle-solving with literacy. Participants hide small, weatherproof boxes containing a notebook and stamp, along with written clues to find the box. You can have your child write their own clues or follow others' clues, practicing writing and reading skills while exploring nature.
- You can find letterboxing sites through [Atlas Quest](https://www.atlasquest.com).

6. Set the Scene
Building on the previous idea, consider the places you’ve been or plan to go. If you like to travel, or dream of doing so, why not create a story based upon a place you love or hope to visit one day? Gather information about famous landmarks, foods, things to do, and people who live (or lived there). Decide if your story will be action-packed, full of mystery, or contain realistic sci-fi. It could have all three if you like.

7. Literacy Postcards
Help your child develop writing and reading skills by sending real postcards to friends, family, or even fictional characters. Ask them to write short, imaginative notes—whether it’s an update on their day or a pretend letter to a superhero. You can also read aloud the responses they receive, making it a collaborative and rewarding experience.

Bonus: Experience books like "I know a Horse" by author Ernst Louis in the great outdoors. Visiting a literacy walk at your local library or park like the one at North Cobb Regional will take you there!

So now you have a few more ideas in your wheelhouse. Continue to build relationships with your children and keep them creatively engaged as they develop their communication skills. By incorporating creativity, play, and everyday activities into literacy learning, you’ll keep your child’s curious and show them that reading and writing can happen anywhere.

Let me know how it’s working out for you or if you have any more ideas that you’d like to share.

Why Representation in Children’s Books Matters

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Ernst and I recently participated in a Hispanic Month Celebration in a neighboring community--and we will continue to do so throughout the month. We realize that although our stories may be underrepresented in children's literature, other communities face similar conundrums. As authors and publishers, we know the importance of diverse stories.

Books--whether they act as mirrors or windows--have the power to build bridges. Bridges offer people, especially children, ways to connect with others, develop empathy and understanding, and ultimately to solve problems. That's what leaders do.

I recently shared a campaign on social media about ways "Readers Become Leaders". As adults, we know the power of a shifting political and cultural landscape. We need tomorrow's leaders to be equipped with the tools they need to relate to all kinds of people no matter their cultural, religious, or ideological background. Diverse books provide a framework for readers to delve into worlds that may not be readily accessible where they live.

Additionally, diverse books, give children opportunities to see themselves within the story and to understand that their experiences are important, too. They are able to bolster a sense of self that strengthens their esteem and subsequently, their voice. When children see themselves in books, in movies, in games, and in other media, they realize they have the power to lead and solve problems, too.

If everyone in the room has the same or similar experiences, they may fail to see blind spots in plans and agendas. Having access to different experiences empowers leaders (and their teams) to develop more creative solutions to challenges we face.

The earlier children become comfortable with this reality, the more equipped they will be to function successfully in the world we actually live in.

Each story brings a unique perspective. Each story allows the audience to experience life through the eyes of another. The story can be familiar or foreign. It just needs to be told and shared. That is why representation in children's books matters.

Click on the "K" to purchase author signed copies on my publisher's website FreeSparrows.com

Keishia Lee Louis

Keishia is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She has authored three picture books for families: What's In a Name? : A Tale of Discovery, My Uncle Aaron's Farm, Wonder in the Waiting.
She has also authored an early chapter book: Wonder in the Waiting
All of her books can be purchased through FreeSparrows.com and where ever books are sold.