Friday Nov. 4 at Whitelam Books
Monica Acker is launching her first published children’s book, “Brave Like Mom,” at Whitelam Books on November 4. The book is a touching story about a girl whose mom has chronic illness and how she is brave, just like her mom.
Originally from Westchester County, New York, Acker attended Siena College. She studied creative arts, which is a combination of theater and visual arts. Acker had always loved theater, and a childhood background in theater translated well into the classroom. She moved on to get her masters for elementary education, having known she always wanted to teach.
Acker moved to Reading in 2014 with her husband, and she is currently working as a school tutor at Wood End Elementary School. Acker provides Tier Two support for reading and math, giving the extra boost a student might need to excel.
“I love books, I always have, and teaching really brought picture books back into my life,” said Acker, “I always turn to picture books to teach a new topic.”
Acker attended a panel hosted by Whitelam Books in 2018, where she learned about what it entails to write children’s books and began her journey as an author. “I never really thought that I could be the person to write the books,” said Acker, but since then, she has been writing children’s books, hoping to get published.
“Brave Like Mom” was not written with the intention of getting published and was originally an outlet for personal grief. Acker’s sister-in-law was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for stage-four cancer and one day was unable to go for treatment because her body had become so weak. Acker was overcome with sadness when hearing this, but her “next thought was nope, she’s not weak – she is hella strong.”
Acker wrote the book for her sister-in-law while she was in treatment, who has since passed. After her death, Acker began tinkering with the book again. She shared it with critique partners, who encouraged Acker to send it out to attract agents and publishers.
“I don’t know if I sat down and said to myself, ‘I’m going to write a book about chronic illness,’ if I would have been able to do it,” said Acker. “I think because it came through my heart, that’s probably the key to [my] success.”
After landing an agent and enduring the arduous process of finding a publisher, Beaming Books purchased “Brave Like Mom.” It has been surreal and very emotional for Acker, but she hopes her book will end up in the hands of people who need it most.
“What was important for me is that it doesn’t say ‘mom is gonna get better,’ and it doesn’t say ‘mom died. It’s open-ended, and it ends with the young girl knowing that she’s brave and she’s strong, and mom gave her that, and she’s ready for whatever’s next.”
The book is dedicated to Acker’s two young nieces who had lost their mom, and all inspired the story. It is further inspired by some of Acker’s own personal experiences and memories, and the place “Brave Like Mom” creates a strong sense of relatability which parents and kids can get something from when living through similar situations.
“In the big scheme, the book is a small thing, but if the right person is reading it, it means so much,” said Acker.
Acker is launching “Brave Like Mom” at 7:00 pm on November 4 at Whitelam Books on Main Street in Reading. “My writing journey started at Whitelam,” said Acker, “so it just makes sense to do the launch there.” She wants it to be like a party, complete with a reading and signing of “Brave Like Mom” and cookies from Simply Sensational Sweets.
