WISE INVESTMENT
Texarkana mother-daughter duo pen children’s book series on travel
TEXARKANA, Texas — A mother-daughter duo are using their personal experiences to educate other children and families about world traveling through books.
Shambrekiá Wise and daughter Sandiya Badmus are co-authors of the book series “Sightseeing with Sandy.”
“We want to introduce readers to cultures, history and geography,” Wise said.
On a business trip to Los Angeles with her 6-year-old daughter, Wise said Sandiya asked where were all the children on the plane who looked like her. Wise’s response: “Kids are in school, parents work and traveling is expensive.”
Sandiya came up with a number of ideas for her mom to “fix” the problem so that of other children could kids not being able to see the world, including the idea of writing a children’s book.
That was in January 2020. “Three years later and four books later, we’re rocking and rolling and having a great time and getting our books out there,” Wise said. “I continue to be impressed by her, her creative thoughts, her genius, and be supportive of her pursuits as well.”
Traveling and spending more time with family became more important to Wise once she completed rehab after a relapse of multiple sclerosis, originally diagnosed in October 2015. To celebrate a successful recovery, Wise took a trip to Paris.
Wise said throughout her health journey, she came to realize that tomorrow is not promised and wanted to spend more time with her daughter.
Wise hopes the book series sparks imagination in children and shows them that the world is filled with opportunities for new experience.
“Growing up here in Texarkana, I didn’t take my first international trip until I was an adult, and there might be other kids who might be the same way,” Wise said.
Next month, Wise and Sandiya will travel to Seattle, Washington, to read the books on the television show “Look, Listen and Learn.”
“I want my daughter to take away from the experience the beauty of hard work payoff. The payoff doesn’t come quick or overnight, but consistency, determination and dedication — that is something that will always yield results,” Wise said.
The duo also collaborates with Virgin Foods to create recipes, including a bohemian fruit salad.
“Every book has a recipe at the end of it,” Wise said.
On Saturday, Wise and Sandiya will have a meet-andgreet book signing at Local Habit Coffee Shop, 330 E. New Boston Road. The free event will be from noon to 2 p.m. Seats can be reserved at Eventbrite/sightseeingwithsandy.com.
The pair also will host readings over the next few Saturdays.
Wise is self-published. The book series is available on Amazon and sightseeingwithsandy.com.