Today’s the book launch party for Trini’s Big Leap. Although it was released last month, our friends at Main Point Books just outside Philadelphia are hosting co-author Beth Kephart, illustrator William Sulit, and The Little Gym franchisee Mitchell Kantrowitz to an evening of stories, laughs, interviews, and cake!
Trini is the highest flyer, the strongest gripper, the most spectacular cartwheeler at her after-school club. She easily masters any gymnastic move her teachers show her, and always says, "I can do that." But when she tries to construct buildings out of blocks like her friends do, she discovers that some things don't come as easily for her. Trini takes a big leap by learning to trust and collaborate with her friends.
Like its star, this new picture book is a big leap for each collaborator involved. It is co-author Alexander de Wit’s first book. It is co-author and National Book Award finalist Beth Kephart’s first picture book. It is illustrator William Sulit’s first picture book.
And so, inspired by Trini and her creators, we created a special home on our website we’re calling The Big Leap. It’s where we can share stories about people of all ages who discover new strengths—physical, emotional, intellectual, artistic, social—at home and in their communities. And we’ve received so many wonderful stories so far!
You can read about a woman who overcomes her fears of getting lost by going on a cross country road trip to visit the ocean. You can read about a family who opens their hearts and home to a foster child, and the devastation they feel when he returns to live with his biological parents. You can read about people who gather the courage to take the leap and start their own businesses. There’s also a new story by Beth Kephart about Freddy Marvel, the math whiz who discovers he actually likes hanging on the monkey bars once he gives it a try.
We hope you enjoy our growing collection of stories from people who take big leaps and have something to say about the ride. And if you feel you have something to share, we’d love to hear it! Send it to us here. Maybe we’ll feature it on our website!
What big leap will you take today?