Alouettes defender tackles children’s literature
Woody Baron finds the spectre of tangling with a hulking offensive lineman much less daunting than sitting before young children.
The Montreal Alouettes rookie defensive lineman has co-authored a book titled #JustaGobbler with his uncle, James Baron, and Henry Taylor. The 38-page hardcover publication was published in August for third- and fourth-graders.
Baron did his first reading last week at an after-school program in a Montreal church and held his first in-school session Monday.
“I get butterflies before I do any of that like any person does,” The 6-foot-1, 270-pound Baron said in Toronto last week before Montreal’s 26-22 road loss Saturday to the Argonauts. “But then I realize I know the subject matter and what I’m talking about and I’m not trying to do anything out of the ordinary and that kind of brings me back down to earth.”
Baron said his uncle approached him about the book in 2016 when Baron was still at Virginia Tech. Although the project took two years to complete, Baron couldn’t be happier with the finished product.
“My uncle went to Virginia Tech some 20 years before I did and the book being centred around that, it felt like a good fit, an easy transition and something to get into,” Baron said. “I love to write and so it felt like a perfect introductory project and it’s proved to be that and more.
“I just remember it being such an exciting idea and being able to see it now in person, it’s gone above and beyond anything I could’ve imagined. The illustrations are so unique, so vibrant, so attractive and the book’s message is so versatile. You can take it to anybody and they’ll be able to digest it.”
The book’s central figure is the Virginia Tech Hokie, the school’s turkey-like mascot who’s very excited about an upcoming talent show. But as he learns what his friends will be doing at the show, the mascot’s self confidence diminishes because he’s focusing too much on others and not what he can offer.
“Slowly but surely his confidence kind of dwindles throughout the book until the end when he’s reminded of how much he has inside of himself,” Baron said. “He’s able to rebuild his confidence and be proud of what he can offer.
“It’s all about self belief, self confidence, knowing who you are, being proud of it and always believing in yourself. I think the message is great for everyone.” Including pro football players. “It’s a message that can reach everybody at different levels, myself included,” he said. “There are so many things going on outside of your own peripheral that it’s easy to get distracted.
“But then you have so much to offer in yourself.”
Baron would readily welcome other writing opportunities — even in journalism — and is receptive to doing another children’s book.
“I’m so open to the different opportunities right now,” he said. “I think (another children’s book) is the plan down the road but for the time being we’re just getting started.”