Hope for Haiti is a beautiful book that kids and parents, grandparents can enjoy, but one that also generates focus on the continued support of Haiti, and through the sales of the book, Penguin is giving a generous donation to Save the Children in Haiti. In addition to that, through WeGiveBooks.org, people can read free online copies of the book, and each time they do, an actual copy of a book is sent to kids in Haiti, and other places around the world.
It is a great way for kids to be able to take part in reaching out and helping other communities. They can even keep track of how many books they have raised. It is a particularly nice project for grandparents and grandchildren to participate in together. Grandparents can pass on the importance of taking action (even very small steps, like reading a free online book) in order to make a change in the world.
This is my first book as an author and illustrator and I am very pleased with it. I set out to earn money and support for Haiti, as well as longer term attention. I was able to travel to Haiti recently and saw how much the kids responded to reading the book. I am planning on going again for the anniversary of the horrific earthquake, and connecting groups of Haitian and American classrooms, as well as involving kids in self generated fundraising to assist with school supplies, as well as soccer equipment.
Hope for Haiti
Putnam Juvenile, 2010
Hardcover, $16.99
32 pages
Ages 5 – 8
BIO:
Jesse Joshua Watson is an award-winning NY Times Bestselling illustrator and author whose work includes Hope for Haiti, Chess Rumble, and the Hank Zipzer series.
Jesse is the illustrator of many books, including the NY Times Bestselling Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver, I AND I – Bob Marley, written by Tony Medina, the award winning, ALA Notable Chess Rumble by G. Neri, the Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series by Sharon Draper and These Things I Wish by Lee Pitts.
Jesse is excited to present the first book, both written and illustrated by him, HOPE FOR HAITI, published by Putnam. Jesse’s upcoming book, Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri will be released Fall 2011 from Candlewick.
Jesse lives with his wife, Mariah, and their boys in Washington. In addition to writing and illustrating books, exhibiting fine art, and teaching art to kids, Jesse is infatuated with growing bamboo, plays soccer religiously, and surfs the chilly NW waters as often as he can.