Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess–Book One is Coming April of 2021!
Written by veteran author, Deedee Cummings, the Kayla: Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by her own real-life princess and Broadway actress, Kayla Pecchioni.
A heartwarming story about family, role models, dreams, and discovering a determination for growth. This five-part diverse picture book series shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. It seems that everyone else has an idea for who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.
The story also reveals the very special family dynamic that Kayla shares with her mom- a hard-working woman who struggles with the guilt of not being as available for her young daughter as she would like. But as the story progresses, Kayla and her mom realize the impact of valuing the time they have together as well as the importance of seeing each other acknowledge (and pursue) their individual dreams. {ages 4 to 8}
This #OwnVoices project is a five-part series set for Rapid Release in the spring and summer of 2021. Following the picture series will be a middle-grade series and a script to continue to tell the story of this dynamic and necessary character.
GO HERE to preorder your copy of Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess (Spring of 2021)
Preorder Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess–Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams (BOOK 2) HERE.
Preorder Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess–Tough as Tulle (BOOK 3) HERE.
Preorder Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess–These Shoes are Made for Dancing (BOOK 4) TBA
Preorder Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess–A Little Magic (BOOK 5)TBA
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Preorder ALL FIVE Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Books in one convenient bundle! (NOTE: Est, Delivery of the 5-Book Bundle is September 30, 2021) HERE.
What is Rapid Releasing??
is the act of releasing 3+ books within a month of each other for maximum buzz, marketing, and visibility. Every time a new book is released, it will stay on Amazon’s Hot New Release list for 30 days. By releasing a Kayla book every 30 days, there will always be one of our beautiful series on the Hot New Release list. It’s an epic way to build buzz and build momentum for the next book in the series!
Rapid Releasing is an expensive and ambitious project, but it is one that the Make A Way Team is committed to implementing and successfully completing. Releasing Kayla: A Modern Day Princess books 2-5 in rapid succession allows readers, parents, caregivers, educators, and librarians to seamlessly share the story of a little Brown girl who grows, evolves, and inspires as the story continues.
Watch social media and this blog to participate, donate, and enjoy some of the wonderful rewards and incentives this project has in store for everyone! And follow these hashtags on Instagram: #moderndayk #moderndayprincess #makeawaymedia #kaylapecchioni #deedeecummings #diversebooks
GO HERE to preorder your copy of Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess (Spring of 2021)
About This Project
Make A Way Media publishes diverse books for children. Children of color have an easier time finding a story with an animal as the protagonist as opposed to a book with a lead character who actually looks like them or reflects their experiences.
Deedee Cummings, CEO of Make A Way Media, has always strived to write and publish diverse picture books for kids that cultivate curiosity, a sense of purpose, and social justice for the next generation. Since her first book published in 2014, Cummings has been on a mission to help young dreamers and doers “see themselves” in the pages of the books they read.
Determined to continue to fill the gaps in children’s picture books with vibrant books that feed and inspire young minds, she has teamed up with illustrator Charlene Mosley to create a series of five diverse picture books called Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Kickstarter recently wrapped and we are proud to announce that our project was FULLY FUNDED!
Support this #OWNVOICES project Preorder Book One Here
With hundreds of Kickstarter backers and her adult daughter’s blessing (successful Broadway actress Kayla Pecchioni), Cummings is releasing the first of a five-book series, Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess, in April of 2021. At the heart of this series is a feisty little Brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. The series will also touch on important and timely topics like family dynamics, challenging gender stereotypes, acceptance, social justice, and inclusion.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess is a heartwarming story about family, role models, dreams, and discovering a determination for growth. This five-part diverse picture book series shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. It seems that everyone else has an idea for who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.
The story also reveals the very special family dynamic that Kayla shares with her mom- a hard-working woman who struggles with the guilt of not being as available for her young daughter as she would like. But as the story progresses, Kayla and her mom realize the impact of valuing the time they have together as well as the importance of seeing each other acknowledge (and pursue) their individual dreams.
Preorder Kayla: Book One HERE
The remaining four books in the series will be rapid released during the Spring and Summer months of 2021 and will continue Princess Kayla’s story and the pursuit of a dream of a career in musical theatre. Along the way, Kayla will form beautiful friendships, learn from her mother’s example, and always stay true to herself. Readers of the series will also get to witness Kayla as she matures from a grade-schooler to a college grad and watch her dream of being on stage come to fruition.
Let Me Know When the Kayla Series Publishes!! (sign up securely and easily below)
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“The more we continue to support the initiatives that get diverse books on shelves, the less it will stop seeming like a radical idea,” Cummings added. “It will become the norm to go to any library or bookstore and see books that feature characters of all colors and backgrounds. We have seen the impact a children’s series can have on young readers, long after they have turned the last page.”
Cummings’ ambitious goal not only has a mission of offering an #OWNVOICES perspective of the modern princess tale, but the five-book series of Kayla: A Modern Day Princess will also support the It Pays to Read program: a reading and employment program for at-risk youth that focuses on teaching a love of reading, the importance of literacy, behavioral health goals, independent living skills, and the power of mentoring.
“Unfortunately, the aspirations and goals of young Black and Brown girls get overshadowed by naysayers and well-meaning adults,” Cummings noted. “One of my many goals with this series is to help all kids understand that they have a chance to freely dream of being royalty, world leaders, authors, and heroes despite race, education, or socioeconomic status. My hope is that girls and boys of all ages and colors will read the Kayla series and understand that, even when it seems that everyone else has an idea for who or what they should be when they grow up, ultimately, they are the ones who get to decide.”