Riverside resident Brandi Mays has published her debut children's book, Forlorn Corn: A Farm Fresh Adventure for Kids Who Love Words, a rhyming picture book that aims to build young readers' vocabularies through story and character.
The 40-page book, published in January and available on Amazon, follows Forlorn Corn through a garden where he meets a cast of alliterative vegetable characters: Zany Zucchini, Timid Tomato, Oblivious Onion, Considerate Carrot, and Boisterous Beet. Each character's name introduces a new vocabulary word, and a recurring guide character, Literate Ladybug, defines the words in speech bubbles throughout the story. A glossary at the back defines additional terms, with notes encouraging adult readers to follow a child's curiosity rather than stick to a script.
Mays, who has lived in Riverside with her husband Tom for 28 years, said the book grew out of watching her youngest child, Dexter, develop an early obsession with language. As a toddler, he peppered adults with questions about unfamiliar words. Dexter, now finishing a teaching degree, inspired his mother to ask whether other children shared that same hunger for vocabulary.
"I thought there must be many more kids like Dex who loved learning new words," Mays wrote, "and thought writing a children's book might be a fun way to share some with them."
The book is illustrated by Anupam Dey and is designed for children ages 4 to 8, though Mays notes the glossary explanations are tailored with a range in mind, from early readers through age 10. It is suited for home read-alouds, classroom libraries, and homeschool families.
Mays has also launched an interactive companion website featuring original poems about the book's characters, plus downloadable activities including coloring pages, a word search, and a crossword puzzle. A second book is in development.
More information: Forlorn Corn: A Farm Fresh Adventure for Kids Who Love Words is available in paperback. More information, including the companion website, can be found at forlorncornandfriends.com.
Starting in June, Mays will also be at the Downtown Riverside Certified Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Main Street between 10th and 12th streets.
