MEET COLLEEN THOMAS
Colleen Thomas uses inspiration from her own kids to share her gift of rhyme and story telling with others. Her passion for poetry, combined with her creative vision to bring a story to life, has resulted in 3 self-published children's books.
Like her own family, her children's books include mixed race characters. Hidden on every page of Colleen's books are Tiger paws to pay tribute to her alma mater. She also includes other significant personal symbols in the illustrations of her stories.
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Colleen has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University. She currently works full time as a director of data and strategy for a STEM education non-profit based in Silicon Valley, CA.
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Colleen and her husband, Brandon, reside in Greenville, South Carolina with their two daughters, Mary Kate and Leila, and son RJ.
My Story
I never had any intention to write or publish any children's books. I am proud to have self-published three children's books that are near and dear to my heart so I can share my passion with the world.
Why write "Beautiful Skin"?
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In the wake of racial tensions across the US in 2020, I felt a sense of inspiration. I was struggling with so many emotions. I was hurting; I was mad, and I felt helpless. I wanted to do something, but I didn't know what or how I could make a difference. So, I did what I often do when I am filled with emotion... I wrote a poem. Upon completion of the verses, I decided I wanted to share my words with the world.
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I would lie if I didn't say I was filled with lots of self-doubt. Publishing was something so foreign to me, compounded with the fact that as a white woman, I did not feel worthy enough to write a book on such an important topic. However, being married to a black man and raising my beautiful black and white children, I knew that this book was important and needed to be shared.
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I pray that this book can help teach all of our children that being different is a beautiful thing. I pray that our youth can accept and respect each other. I pray that this book will help our next generation to overcome racism.
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Why write "My Daddy is a Football Coach"?
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The Fall of 2022 was one of the most challenging times in my life. I was a mom of 3 kids under 5 years old, and my husband was transitioning to his first year coaching college football. Football has always been a significant part of my relationship with my husband, but this year was different.
I have been with my husband much of his football journey- 2 years playing college ball, 6 years playing in the NFL, and 1 year coaching High School football. I knew the sacrifice that football season asks of families and spouses, but I was not ready to be solely responsible for my 3 children for 5 months out of the year.
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Football brings so many wonderful opportunities and creates countless special memories, but it also brings lots of missed family time. Not only is this hard for the moms to handle, but it is really difficult for the children to comprehend why daddy is always gone so much.
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This is a story about the special times visiting daddy at football, but also helps coaches' kids to understand why daddy is so busy during the fall.
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Why write "My Daddy is a Football Player"?
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Not often is the sacrifice of a professional athlete talked about. Playing the in NFL is considered to be glamorous; yet, with it comes many sacrifices for the athlete and their family.
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Much like the life of a football coach, the life of a professional football player also comes with its wonderful privileges and challenges, too. With a similar storyline to "My Daddy is a Football Coach", this story is created for all football kids who get to watch their daddy play in the professional level.
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Being a football kid is a unique gift that is meant to be celebrated. There are not many that can relate to being a child of a professional athlete. This story will help those children feel special, because they are!
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