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Vasilisa Hamilton has just the right treat to help fill any Easter basket.
Hamilton, the author of Papa Didn't Preach, has written a children's picture book titled Dakota's Easter Wish. She got the idea for the book from an incident from her childhood, thinking she had found a surefire way to win her church's annual Easter egg hunt.
"It's a funny story," said Hamilton, an editor in University Publications. "I looked forward to all the traditions around Easter, and the egg hunt at our church in Jasper County was always a big deal. But I was one of those kids who never won prizes. Somehow I got the idea that if I could save my eggs under my bed from one year to the next I could win the contest."
Saving those eggs--real hard-boiled eggs, not the plastic ones--ends with both humorous and malodorous results.
"I was too young to realize I couldn't do that," Hamilton said and laughed. "In the book, Dakota--who is a typical little girl who does her homework and chores before she goes out to play with her friends and takes care of her dog--realizes that, in life, you can still win without always getting the top prize."
When writing the story, Hamilton created characters who are both multicultural and multiethnic. "Nigel is a name I've always loved, and it's usually British. Lisa Darlene is the name of a friend from elementary school, and it's very Southern. Another character is Native American," said Hamilton, whose own first name comes from a Russian fairy tale. "I've always been fascinated with other cultures, and I wanted to write a story that everyone can relate and connect to."
Kerry McCaughan, a former University Publications colleague, illustrated the book, using pastels and soft spring colors associated with Easter.
"Kerry created illustrations that are vivid and eye-catching but with a hint of childhood and innocence," Hamilton said. "I tried to make the story colorful, but Kerry did more with the illustrations than I could have ever imagined."
Working with Jim Green, another former University Publications colleague, Hamilton published Dakota's Easter Wish online at Lulu.com. To order a copy, go to papadidntpreach.com. The book also is available at The Happy Bookseller on Forest Drive in Columbia.
Hamilton wrote the book with children ages 3 to 8 in mind.
"It's a great story to read to and interact with children. You can show them the pictures and ask them questions--what color is Dakota's dress or how many eggs does Nigel have?" Hamilton said. "But, I think, it will appeal to the child in anyone."
2/08
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Vasilisa Hamilton, University Publications
