Fairfield Teen, Educators Collaborate On Children's Books About Pandemic, Inclusion

FAIRFIELD, CT — As a student at Fairfield Woods Middle School, Layla Aziz, now 17, used to spend time drawing in the cafeteria.

Every day, she remembered, Kris Kelso, dean of students, would walk by and inquire about her work.

“What do you have to show me today?” she remembered him saying each time.

Little did she know she would be invited to illustrate two books written by Kelso and his coworker Cathleen Hamill, a health teacher, and become a professional illustrator — her dream — before even leaving high school.

The trio has just published their second book — "Grin and Bear It: Grin Learns to Wear It!" — a follow up to their first book, "Grin and Bear It: The Forest of Inclusion."

“These are two stories created by Kris and myself that began a few years back when we discovered we both have a love of writing,” explained Hamill.

The first book centered around the importance of inclusion, she said, and how the characters in the story realize that they have more similarities than they do differences. Ultimately they become very good friends.

“I feel like it’s something that kids can learn about equality,” said Aziz, who noted it was an important subject to introduce to children at any age.

The second book, Hamill said, answers questions about what a pandemic is and aims to reassure young children that they are still safe. It also identifies various safety measures that they can use to help prevent themselves from contracting the virus.

“As we developed our story, (Layla) began designing illustrations for the main character,” she said.

Aziz was thrilled to take part.

“I just felt that this was my opportunity to display my passion for art,” Aziz said, “and share my creativity with the world and to inspire others.”

Along with selling her designs on apparel and other merchandise related to heavy metal and rock musicians, she plans to continue her journey as an illustrator. She also wants to wants to go to college to pursue a degree in graphic design.

At least for now, however, she is thrilled to be giving life to Grin, Ping and the other critters in the books.

“I felt a connection with my characters and wanted the children to connect with them through my illustrations,” Aziz said.

Hamill said the experience created a great collaboration between the three of them.

"We are planning a third book in the future," she said.

Aziz, meanwhile, feels she grew from the experience.

“It was a very humble experience bringing these characters to life with their own personalities and adventures,” she said.