Stacey Abrams released her first-ever children’s book, “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words,” released this week, which is partly inspired by her experience of competing in her first spelling bee.
However, the premise of the book goes much deeper.
“Stacey’s Extraordinary Words,” tells the story of a second-grader whose love of language helps her to find her voice.
“Stacey is in the second grade, and she is having difficulty acclimating. But her teacher, her second-grade teacher Mrs. Blakesley, recognizes that she loves words, and that those are her friends; that this quiet child has turned to words to understand where she is,” said Abrams to WABE.
“By inviting her to participate in the spelling bee, she gives her a chance to use her superpower to present herself to the world. And Stacey thinks about how words have helped her, but also how she has not always lived up to the words that she believes in; that she has not done enough with her words to make a difference in the lives of her friends.”
While this may be Abrams’ first children’s book, she is an accomplished author. “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words,” which is illustrated by Kitt Thomas, is her 12th publication. Abrams has written a best-selling political thriller as well as several romance novels.
The book comes on the heels of her announcement that she will be facing off against Gov. Brian Kemp again next year.
Kemp won by about 55,000 votes in 2018 amid claims of voter suppression. In response, Abrams launched Fair Fight, a voting rights advocacy group, and sued Georgia election officials, citing gross mismanagement of the process and voter suppression.
“We have broken health-care infrastructure, we have a broken educational system, and we have an ineffective leader who has failed in his job,” Abrams said of Kemp.
Abrams is one of several formidable Black women credited with flipping Georgia blue.
“Stacey’s Extraordinary Words,” is available now through all major publishers.
