New books from local authors

Nearly everyone knows Houston is a cultural mecca with great restaurants and shopping, but did you know there’s a growing number of children’s authors in our mix? Here are two new titles by local talent.

‘Beautiful You’ By Leah Cast; illustrated by Tamra Boyd Outskirts Press, 23 pp., $20.95 Ages 4-7

Leah Cast wants children everywhere to know they are beautiful, inside and out. The public-relations professional and model has penned her first picture book to celebrate the diversity of children. Cast had been mulling over the idea for a book for years and became more focused about it after she saw her 3-year-old daughter, Summer, playing with a pair of shorts on her head to pretend she had longer hair like a “princess.”

“What she sees on kids’ shows and in movies doesn’t always represent her,” said Cast, who is African American and also has an 11-monthold son with husband Dustin. “We really focused on teaching her that she’s beautiful like she is. It took a while, but at 3, she’s definitely confident now. I think all kids should know their uniqueness is what makes them beautiful and that they can share their beauty every day through love and kindness.”

Cast’s artist mother, Tamra Boyd, illustrated the book with bright colors and playful characters.

In honor of World Kindness Day, Nov. 13, Cast is donating all proceeds from her November book sales to the ARK (Adults Relating to Kids) Group, a Houston-based nonprofit providing programs to help build self-esteem in children. She’ll host a storytime and book signing 2-4 p.m. Nov. 18 at Cafeza, 1720 Houston Ave. (Information: leahcast.com.)