A heartfelt story about identity, belonging, and the beauty of every shade.
Meet Frances Marie
Frances Marie is a children’s book author, storyteller, and community creative who believes childhood is one of the freest places to imagine and explore the world. Inspired by the meaning of her name, Frances embraces creativity as a way to bring vibrant, thoughtful stories to life for young readers. Through her books and community engagement, she encourages children and families to embrace literacy, imagination, and the beauty of who they are while seeing the world as a place full of color, curiosity, and possibility.
About Shades Beneath the Oak Tree
In the heart of Chocolate City Park stands a grand oak tree where Miss Dorothy gathers children for story circle, rain or shine. Each child brings something special to share about themselves, but Layla begins to wonder if she should have brought more than just her chocolate skin.
As butterflies flutter and stories unfold, Layla remembers the love of her family, the warmth of the earth beneath her feet, and the beauty reflected in the world around her. Beneath the oak tree’s wide branches, she discovers that her chocolate is more than enough it is something to celebrate. Shades Beneath the Oak Tree is a tender story about identity, belonging, and the beauty found in every shade.
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