Mother's Milk 6.3.13

KICKSTARTER HELPS BRONX DUO DRAW CHILDREN'S IMAGINATION WITH NEW BOOK.

New York based writer and designer form publishing company to promote diversity in children’s books. New York - Ps&Qs Inc. (psnqs.com), a New York-based publishing company created by writer/illustrator duo, Qimmah Saafir and Pope Phoenix, will celebrate the release of their new children's book, Charlie & His Imaginary Friend, on December 16th, 4pm at Bankstreet Books on Broadway and 112th Street in New York City. Saafir, the book’s author, along with Phoenix successfully funded the production of the book and the creation of Ps&Qs Inc. through a KickStarter campaign during the summer of 2012. Their aim is to produce books that better reflect the world’s diversity while promoting the use of magination and creativity. The idea was birthed in a Barnes & Noble Starbucks after the longtime friends flipped through a pile of children’s literature and noticed a lack of diversity in the books’ characters. “We believe children connect more with a story’s lesson if they are able to relate to its characters. Much in the way you look for yourself first in a group photo,” explains Ps&Qs co-founder and author, Qimmah Saafir. “If a child sees someone who resembles him or her, he or she can get more from the experience. There are so many types of children in the world; we hope to reflect that diversity with our books.”