Book: Black Boy Joy
Author: Charlitta Hatch
Available On: Amazon
Language: English
Rating: 5/5
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I am Charlitta Hatch. I am a Wife, Mama, Consultant, Author, and Advocate. 3 years ago after my son was born, I looked through our home library to find a specific book featuring a young Black boy. I have read stories featuring other characters, but this was missing for me. I began to search and to my surprise, I couldn’t find it. Instead, I learned that less than 10% of children’s books featured people of Color and of that 10% less than 3% featured Black boys as the leading protagonist.
I am on a mission to change the narrative of Black boys in American through positive images, expressive stories, and deliberate advocacy. I fulfil part of that mission by saturating the media, homes, schools and communities with positive images of Black boys.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Black Boy Joy’ book?
1) Finding a publisher that was willing to publish my story
2) Sharing the story beyond my network
3) Accepting that everyone will not be supportive of the book because it features a Black boy on the cover
4) Hearing feedback that someone will not share this book with their child because of their gender or race
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I love you forever by Robert Munsch was the book that pulled on my heart strings as a new mom. I searched all over for a mother/son story that featured a Black mother and son like I love you forever and was not able to find it. That was the book that sparked me to write my own.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Since we are in a global pandemic, I am traveling in books right now. I am learning so much about our history and applying that to the Me3 Project. Me3 Project is an organization I started to change the perception of Black boys in America through positive images, expressive stories, and deliberate advocacy.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I have not followed the traditional path of writing and have been inspired by experiencing that I have with my son. My first book Black Boy Joy was inspired because of my love and desire for my son and I wanted him to see and feel that in the books we were reading. My 2nd book, Black Boy Joy Christmas Countdown was inspired by wanting to teach my son what Christmas was all about and also showcasing that Black families celebrate Christmas too.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Black Boy Joy’ book?
I was nursing my son when the idea of Black Boy Joy came to me and I wrote it that night. The next day I called my friend to tell her that I thought I wrote a children’s book and that I didn’t know how to find an illustrator; her 17-year-old stepdaughter illustrated both books. The 3rd day I was connected to my publisher at AK Classics. 90 days later we were published and gifted my son Black Boy Joy for his one-year old birthday. Similarly inspired for Black Boy Joy Christmas Countdown, after the Christmas holidays last year, I wrote the story that I wanted to read to my son to share with the world.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?
My website https://www.me3project.com/shop-1
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?
The title Black Boy Joy derived from the desire to humanize Black boys in America. To change the perception of mainstream media, I thought it was important that the title reflect the joy of being a child and how Black boys deserve that as well. The covers were strategically chosen to show a Black boy being loved and adored by his mother in Black Boy Joy and the entire family celebrating Christmas together in Black Boy Joy Christmas Countdown. These are not images that you see in mainstream media when you think of Black boys or their families.
Sassy Reviews 