OTHER WORLDLY!

I live in Brooklyn and anybody who has ever lived in NYC or seen apartments in NYC knows that space is very limited and expensive. The cost you spend on a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment here in the city you can have a huge house in the suburbs. My family and I aren't ready for that yet. We love the city and Brooklyn. However, I can't predict our future. With that said, My wife and I try to give our kids all the magic and wonder we can at home even though space maybe tight. I decided to paint my son's room to give him a little added dimension to his space. Take a look.

THE DOLLAR DEPARTURE

THE DOLLAR DEPARTURE

I found four quarters in a gutter neatly stacked.

The coins looked so out of place amongst the trash.

I picked them up and cleaned off the muck.

Then I went to the arcade so I could spend that buck.

I placed the dollar in a game that I had never played before.

The machine was odd and hummed and seemed to shake the floor.

I saw the last high score was listed as someone named CRS.

The game began with trumpets blowing and the words 
FIRST TEST.

The arcade felt electric as I played and fell into a digital daze. 

There were monsters to fight, tricks, aliens and even a complex maze.

I was a quick study though, I pounded those buttons and worked the joystick until my wrist was sore.

And although I wasn't familiar with the game, I received the high score.

The bells and whistles of the machine rang and sounded out loud.

The game spoke and told me I was the best and should be very proud.

Then the weirdest thing happened to the video game screen.

It shined and opened up to reveal a button that was green.

It glowed as if to call me closer and the word push was written underneath it.

So I did, and was transported to a strange world and couldn't believe it.

Once there, a man was standing in front of me as if he was waiting for my arrival.

He said he was so glad to see me and I was going to help with his survival.

I was confused, then he asked if I was with anyone or told people I played the game.

I told him I was alone and no one knew I went to the arcade.

He shook his head with disappointment, frowned for a second then snapped back out of it as his face turned glad.

"Well, welcome," he said and told me the adventures he had.

"By the way, I'm Chris," he said. "But you have already seen my name."

Then he gave a worried look and said, "You see I've been here for years and I was the last high score on the game."

by Jimmy Jenkins Jr.

YUMMY!

Meet "Yummy." She is an awesome, amazing, energetic, charming and super cute puppy that has many layers to her. She's looking for a nice home to go to with very patient owners. Check her out in "Jahffie's BEAST FOR FREE!"

COSMIC

Jahffie's BEAST FOR FREE!

Hey I know it's been a while, but I have been on my grind creatively and also doing my Art History teaching thang. I've written another children's book and searching for representation / publication. It is a really cool and funny story about a little boy name Jahffie (this is still a working name) who has recently acquired a "BEAST" and the events that unfold from it. It's sort of a cautionary tale with a lesson. Jahffie is a character that I've been developing that will appear in future stories. He is a quirky, curious, creative, imaginative little dude who tells wild stories about his adventures and leaves you wondering if some of his stories are fact or fiction. At any case they are all entertaining! Here is the artwork I created for the cover. I still have a few pages to illustrate.

GAME ON!!!

6 HOURS LATER

MY STORY IS WORTH BEING TOLD TOO!

Here is an article that was given to me by a friend just published in The NY Times about the lack of children of color being represented in the children's book market or even the general book market as a whole. Publishers, literary agents and even bookstores talk a very good game of equality, but their actions don't say the same. We (meaning everyone; black, white, asian, latino, indian, etc.) have to fight for stories being told from all perspectives, because that brings awareness, understanding and ultimately connection with each other as a human race. It starts with the children! Click the link below and let's make change!



http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/16/opinion/sunday/the-apartheid-of-childrens-literature.html?_r=0




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