Story Time has Special Meaning on MLK Day

A day off from school was a great day to hear a story.

That's what was happening at Herndon's Wee Play on Monday. Wee Play director Kathy Brennan invited Alexandria author  Amy Tubbs to read her children's book Flakey, the Naked Snowman to children and their adults gathered at Wee Play to celebrate Martin Luther King Day.

Tubbs first wrote “Flakey the Naked Snowman” as a poem. A friend felt it would lend itself beautifully to a children’s book, so Tubbs, along with photographer Joe Shymanski,  threw herself into the illustrations and lay out to tell her story. The style has an intentional retro feel , with handmade characters for each of the snow people.

The story is simple. Each of the characters is a recognizable personality; The Mayor, Mrs. BrrrBerry, The Fridge, SkeeBum and Pinky are all introduced. Then, little, naked Flakey appears.  

He doesn’t wear clothes like the others, and the Mayor asks him why.  Flakey explains he gave his scarf and mittens and hat away to someone who needed them more than he did. After a thoughtful night, all the snow people appear naked the next morning, having given away their clothes to someone who needs them more.

“By the middle of the book, the message comes across,” said Tubbs.  Along with the lyrical sing-song story and illustrative photographs, she has incorporated some subtle visual humor for adults.

Tubbs feels strongly about “alternative giving,” and says she wrote the story to help young children understand the concept on their level.

All the proceeds from the MLK Day Wee Play session and the sale of Tubbs books will benefit  Reston’s r. Brennan volunteers with the families there once a week and has been encouraging other early childhood enrichment specialists to do the same.

Wee Play, located at 441A Carlisle St in Herndon is a center for creative play for young children.

Amy Tubbs can be reached through Dopscotch Press to order Flakey The Naked Snowman or discuss personal appearances.