Chicago businesswoman Allison Caldwell is a jack-of-all-trades. Caldwell has already opened a string of successful daycare and early childhood development centers and recently acquired two Edible Arrangement locations and other food ventures such as Kreole Queen Foods and Southern City Cuisine.
Her latest endeavor is a children’s book series called Phat Cat and The Family that not only entertains but also educates with comprehensive interactive learning experiences. We caught up with Caldwell to learn more about the book.
What is your children’s book, Phat Cat and the Family about?
Phat Cat and the Family is a 14-book series loosely based on my life growing up in Chicago and my visits to Louisiana — New Orleans and Lake Providence) — as well as moving throughout life. The book includes a workbook in the back that allows the parent and child to gain a deeper understanding of the story through a number of interactive features, including blank pages in the back for journaling, doodling or whatever a young author might want to explore. There is also a coloring book that is a compilation of all the books which explores each story that is separate. A parent could start with the coloring book and explore each story that way or integrate the coloring sheets after they complete each story.
Tell us about the book’s main character, Allie.
The main character is Allie. She is a positive ball of energy, helping her friends and family navigate life. Allie sees the good and tries to get others to do the same. There are metaphors and symbolism that refer to tolerance, acceptance and strength, throughout the stories. There are opportunities for the readers to learn life’s lessons such as consequences, forgiveness, struggle, overcoming adversity and unifying a community.
Walk us through your inspiration in creating the book series.
You know how you have said, “If I had the time, I would write a book,” Well, the Pandemic gave us time to reflect on our past, goals, and dreams. It was during that time that I decided I would get this done. The book series is based on my life growing up in Chicago and Louisiana(New Orleans and Lake Providence trip with my maternal and paternal Grandmothers). Although I only gave credit to one Grandmother, the stories combine things that happened with both Grandmothers.
What’s your best advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t allow others to limit your potential or define you. You are what you say you are.
Do you have future plans for the book or intend to do more writing?
I want to see how the series is received initially. I would like this to be turned into a cartoon series. Where the main character, Allie, goes around solving problems and taking names…lol all while smiling and staying positive in her fashionable, forward, colorful outfits. If families choose to follow the series, Alie has a thousand stories to create.
