Unity

Book magic is real, friends! I’ve been reflecting on the serendipity of a recent experience. Things really can come full circle, if we are steadfast in our goals and exercise (often hard-to-come-by) graceful patience.

In 2018, I began writing a picture book, moved by the true story of two childhood friends, Reiko and Mary Frances. On the PBS show We’ll Meet Again, I watched their story unfold: from the innocence of friendship built on fondness and common interests, to being bullied in the face of paranoia that plagued our country following The Empire of Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, to an enduring alliance the two little girls shared. My heart told me that this had the makings of a picture book.

We are never too young – or too old – to see that kindness can serve as a powerful antidote to fear, racism, and injustice.

Reiko and Mary Frances. Unity.

Inspired, I reached out to them. They had an impactful story. They entrusted me, as a storyteller, to write it. Over the course of seven years, through interviews, several phone calls and letters, and countless hours of research, we built a relationship of trust. Newfound friends, all three of us so wanted to make their poignant story into a book.

During that time, in 2022, Mary Frances, a woman of great faith, called to tell me she had put our wish on a prayer list. She said, “Kathleen, I think you should call them, too. It will happen when it’s meant to be.”

The name of the organization: Unity.

In December 2024, a publisher expressed interest. Our vision was coming into focus!

In a video session with Picnic Heist Publishing’s Founder and Publisher, Janet Bruins, I asked about the company’s mission and philosophy. Her answer echoed graceful patience and sweet serendipity:

“Unity.”