Community Corner

Plum Author to Read to Children at Oakmont Library

Kenya Smith will be reading his book "Food Left for Ginny" at the Oakmont Carnegie Library on Friday, May 11.

This week's Stay & Play crowd at will be hearing from a special guest.

Kenya Smith, a resident of the Ramparts neighborhood in Plum, will be reading his book "Food left for Ginny."

"I am so excited for this," Smith said. "This will be my largest crowd yet."

The reading event will take place Friday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m.

The book is Smith's first children's book. He said he wrote the book as a surprise to his fiancee after her dog, Ginny, formed a bond with their son.

“Most people who have owned pets and have children have memories regarding their children and their pets," Smith said. "It was our experience that our dog was at first passive with our newborn, but the lifelong memories were amazing to observe.”

In "Food Left for Ginny," Smith writes about the experiences of his son and their pet dog. The book teaches children how to take care of their family pet through the eyes of a toddler, and learn the responsibilities that are involved.

"Kids are so attentive at this age," Smith said. "I think they'll really take away the message."

Smith also will read "The Skinny Brown Dog" by Kimberly Willis Holt.

Smith has spent the last 11 years working with individuals with mental health and retardation. He is currently focused on his education to become a physical therapist. But that won't stop him from writing.

The local author said he plans to write a series of children's books revolving around taking care of typical family pets—cats, hamsters, birds and horses.

"I'm thinking about naming the next one 'Cats Don't Fetch Balls,'" he said with a laugh. "It'll show some of the interactions between my son and our cat. He's inspiring a lot of what's in my stories, but it'll give him something to hold on to."

To buy the book

Smith will not be selling books at the reading event, but "Food Left for Ginny" can be purchased on Amazon by clicking here. You also can follow Smith and his work via his Facebook page.


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