Date and Time: August 5, 2023; 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm CDT
Location: Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN 55106
Cost: Free
Minnesota Humanities Center, in partnership with Minnesota Historical Society Press, is pleased to host the launch of Rose McGee’s new children’s book, “Can’t Nobody Make a Sweet Potato Pie Like Our Mama!” The author and the book’s illustrator, Christopheraaron Deanes, will read from the book and participate in a moderated discussion around themes related to food and family. The author and illustrator will be available for a book signing and discussion at a reception following the event. Books will be available for purchase from Black Garnet Books. Part of the Minnesota Writers Series.
About the Book
In Rose McGee’s charming picture book (3-7 age range), young Marie and Landon think that their grandmother, “Mama,” makes the best sweet potato pies ever. The twins sometimes wonder if there might be some magic involved. Neighbors dealing with bad news or struggling with loss stop by for a slice. Sharing the pies—their sweet aroma, their familiar texture—in Mama’s warm home brings them comfort. The twins marvel at the neighbors’ transformation. Maybe, the twins realize, the magic isn’t in the pies. Maybe it’s in their mama.
About the Author and Illustrator
Rose McGee’s touching story expands on her own work building community and relationships through her “baketivism” as the leader of the nonprofit Sweet Potato Comfort Pie. She is a well-known facilitator, the playwright behind “Kumbayah: The Juneteenth Story,” one of Minnesota’s 50 Over 50, and a 2019 Bush Fellow. Her work has been featured in the national PBS documentary, “A Few Good Pie Places,” and in the TEDx Talk, “The Power of Pie.”
Christopheraaron Deanes is an artist and educator working to build creative equitable spaces that support and engage communities. As an artist, Christopheraaron is represented in local galleries and has created metal enamel sculptures as well as murals sited throughout the Twin Cities. As an educator, he works in the administration offices at Fridley Public Schools and with communities of color around Minneapolis and St. Paul. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Cara, and five amazing children.
Learn more and register here: https://www.mnhum.org/event/mn-writers-series-rose-mcgee-childrens-book-release/