Dear Reader,
How are you? Fine I hope. As for me, I’m very excited these days because I have just published my first picture book called AROUND OUR WAY ON NEIGHBORS’ DAY.
AROUND OUR WAY is special to me because it was inspired by the place where I grew up: Miami, Florida. Miami is a place that is full of so many different cultures. I remember having friends whose families were Haitian, Cuban, Chinese, Jamaican, Jewish, Italian, Dominican…and the list goes on and on. I am so thankful I grew up there, because I learned to appreciate that every group of people has something special and interesting about it, and how fantastic it is to share those things with others. Plus, Miami has all kinds of yummy foods. My 
favorite things to eat when I’m there are fried conch and conch fritters.
You know, it’s the little things that make our families, friends, and communities special to us. Is there a friend you can always count on to play a certain game with? How about a particular place you like to go in your neighborhood? Can you think of a favorite activity you enjoy doing with a family member? If you give it some thought, I bet you’ll find that lots of things are special around your way. Maybe you can even write about them, and have a wonderful poem or story of your own to share.
Speaking of writing, guess how long it took me to get a book published? Almost five years, but it was worth the wait. I’m so glad I didn’t give up. Do you dream of doing something big…or interesting…or difficult? Then don’t you give up either! You never know what you can accomplish unless you give it a good try.
Well, I’d better be going. Thanks so much for reading AROUND OUR WAY ON NEIGHBORS’ DAY. I hope you like it.
Your Friend,
Download a copy of “Your Friend, Tameka (A Letter to Readers)” HERE.
Take a peek at Tameka’s Office HERE.
For more about Tameka, visit her website HERE.
