Simply put, Alecia Thurston is an educator, writer, illustrator as well as a “Nani” to five granddaughters, one of whom inspired the book: “Shumalady and the hand that decided long ago not to  grow,” that so justly brings attention to children with disabilities and, too often, are bullied because of those disabilities.

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    Ms. Thurston has been using her God-given storytelling  gift since childhood.  It all started when Alecia’s two younger sisters pleased and pretty-pleased the author every night to tell another “Sissy” episode before the parent-people started knocking on the bedroom door.
   
   Needless to say, Ms. Thurston is indeed a most unusual woman, who remains connected with the child within so she will always have kids as best, best friends.  Why not? Ms. Thurston welcomes her inner kid-self and will continue to befriend that inner kid-self until she’s 90 + ; little kids will smile and clap their hands because a grownup kid understands. Other stories are coming; be on the look-out.