Local Kid Pens Children’s Book ‘Allie the Annoying Elephant’

Be true to yourself. And give tons of shout-outs in the acknowledgements! Those two things sparked Lake Orion fourth-grader Kennedy Keller’s first picture book.

Her dad, Joe Keller, played a role too. An IT pro and newly minted author himself, he chatted about his book in Kennedy’s class. That’s when she learned her name was listed in the credits. “I said, ‘Oh, that’s so cool! I wanna write a book now so I can put a bunch of people in there,” Kennedy laughs. The 11-year-old got to work.

The result, Allie the Annoying Elephant, features a boisterous pink elephant who loves laughing and telling wacky jokes. But this seems to annoy potential pals. Ultimately, this fun-loving little lady finds a true friend who lets her be herself.

Art definitely imitates life. “I based all of the other characters off of my teacher and my friends,” she says. Leaf the Giraffe is one. Joe explains, “He likes to eat leaves. That was based off her fourth-grade teacher who was tall and used to eat salad for lunch!” And Kennedy’s personality is similar to Allie’s.

“I get my corny jokes from my dad and I get my confidence and courage from my mom!” Kennedy, who also loves gymnastics and the outdoors, is doing elementary school readings too. She hopes her book gives kids a positive message.

Basics: 34 pages, $12.95, ages 3-6, Keith Publications, LLC
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, allietheannoyingelephant.com

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -

LATEST STORIES

Splash Pads and Spraygrounds in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor

Let your children cool off from the blazing heat at a spray ground this summer.

The Benefits of a Summer Job for Macomb County Teens

Brought to you by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development and the Macomb Intermediate School District

Kid-Friendly Tours in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor

Enjoy these fun tours with your family in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

Free Coloring Pages for Kids of All Ages

Kids can get colorful and creative with these fun and free coloring pages for kids, which include friendly monsters, Detroit Tigers, Disney characters and more.



- Advertisement -