Author’s New Work Helps Kids Gain a "Sense of Belonging"
Author’s New Work Helps Kids Gain a "Sense of Belonging"
Hastings’ Bob McKinnon is also bringing a book festival to the Rivertowns
by Janine Annett
Hastings-on-Hudson — Hastings resident Bob McKinnon is having a very busy month. He’s gearing up for the release of his latest children’s book, America’s Dreaming, plus he’s getting ready to launch the Rivertowns Book Festival. He’s also busy writing articles for outlets like Fast Company and Esquire and writing his own newsletter. And last but not least, he’s coaching his three daughters’ soccer teams.
McKinnon describes himself as an “accidental children’s book author.” His previous picture book, Three Little Engines, is a modern retelling of the classic The Little Engine That Could, best known for its mantra of wishful determination, “I think I can.” McKinnon was inspired to write his own version of the story, which originated as a folktale and was first published in the U.S. in 1930, after an acquaintance of his mentioned that he didn’t read The Little Engine That Could to his kids because “some engines can’t,” and that message wasn’t reflected in the book.
“I just wondered if there was a way to tell a different version of that story, which suggested that we all had different tracks, and some of us do make it over by believing in ourselves, but other times you have a tree that falls near tracks or something else happens,” McKinnon told the Rivertowns Current. McKinnon reached out to the publisher of The Little Engine That Could to ask about the rights to the book, which was about to celebrate its 90th anniversary. It turned out that the publisher had been thinking about ways to re-tell the story, and a match was made. Three Little Engines, published in 2021, became a New York Times best-seller.
McKinnon’s new book, illustrated by Thai My Phuong, is about new beginnings, while gleaning inspiration from historic figures. The narrator, America, is excited to enroll at a new school and make new friends, but the first day turns out to be difficult and lonely. The teacher brings the child over to the Welcome Wagon — a cart filled with inspiring books on real-life figures, among them Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Sojourner Truth, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Emma Lazarus, who persevered throughout history.
“Every year, millions of children start a new school,” said McKinnon. “Some of them have a difficult time with it. It’s important for kids to feel welcome, because if they don't have a sense of belonging, that can have an impact on their whole life.”
The Rivertowns Book Festival will take place on Sunday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Hastings Public Library. More than 25 authors, many of them from the Rivertowns, will be there to meet and greet fans, sell copies of their books, and sign books. There will be live readings, activities for kids, food and beverages, and more. In addition to McKinnon, participating children’s book authors include Sujean Rim, Nick Bruel, Valerie Rolling, Mara Van Fleet, Matt Van Fleet, Diana Murray, Artie Bennett, Suzy Levinson, Suzanne Morris, Iyoti Gopal, and Alyssa Capucilli, and YA book author Veera Hiranandani. Adult book authors will include Allyson McCabe, James Kaplan, Jeff Wetzler, and Panio Gianopoulos. The Rivertowns Book Festival is partnering with the Hastings Library, and proceeds from the book festival will help support the Friends of the Library organization’s programs.
“There’s been tremendous interest from authors,” said McKinnon about the new book festival. “I hope many people come, as it will be a great event for readers of all ages and the community as a whole.”
McKinnon will also be at various events in the coming weeks to promote America’s Dreaming, including a book signing at Picture Book in Dobbs Ferry on Tuesday, June 4 from 12 noon - 1 pm.
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