Lauren Simone Blogs

Key Book Store @keybookstore, an interactive bookstore, located in CT highlighted our CEO, Melissa-Sue John for #WritersWednesday. Name: Melissa-Sue JohnBio: Melissa-Sue John, Ph.D. is the author of the Olivia Lauren series. Her other roles include wife, mother, psychologist, and publisher. She is a Jamaican born, Harrison's Preparatory School and Holy Childhood High School alumnus. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from CUNY: Hunter College and her Master's and Ph.D.  from the University of Connecticut, Storrs. Currently, she lectures at Quinnipiac University and works as a Research Associate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. With her daughters, Olivia Lauren and Alyssa Simone, she developed a...

As a parent I have made a very conscientious decision to buy products that promote a very positive Black image. I purposely bought black and brown dolls for my daughters, I bought sheet sets and room decor with Black characters (Bratz, Tinkerbell and friends, Disney Princesses), I bought medical playsets,  a microscope for my niece, etc. I want my children, nieces and nephews to know that they can do anything they put their minds to and that their futures aren't limited to basketball, office administration, sales, and rapping.As I reflect on Black History Month, I look on my 4 year old's book...

Melissa-Sue John is a social psychologist by training,  who also started and runs a small publishing company. The company, Lauren Simone Publishing, named after her two daughters, focuses on  promoting diverse books, in which all children regardless of race, gender, or special needs can find representation. Lauren Simone publishing also highlights youth talent with 7 youth authors and 5 youth illustrators.  Red Clover Reader is fortunate to feature three books from Lauren Simone Publishing, two from youth authors: “I May Be Different But We Can Still Be Friends” and “Disco Balls of the Universe” and one from Melissa-Sue’s Olivia Lauren...