Love & Literacy Block Party Brings San Bernardino Together

It was a celebration Saturday Sept. 20, at Littlefield/Shultis Park in San Bernardino during the Love & Literacy Block Party. The event celebrated the newest book release of author and San Bernardino native T’ana Phelice. The book, “Bratty Tatty” is a part of a three–part children’s book series, inspired by the author's seven-year-old daughter, Tanai. “Bratty Tatty” is the first book in the series, “Liddo Kiddos, Raps and Riddles.” Phelice was first inspired to begin her children’s series after witnessing her daughter’s tantrums in day care. “I’m a San Bernardino native; it’s just so different from when I was growing up, as far as crime, and the things that kids have to see,” Phelice said. Phelice made it a goal to include children that looked like the kids she grew up with- children of all color, creed and background; characters that are not usually found in children’s books she said. The event aimed to promote literacy within the community, “It’s really important to know how to read because no matter what you want to be in life you have to know how to,” Phelice said. The event was filled with music from a local DJ, barbeque plates, drinks, and live music from local artists. Local artists from the San Bernardino based Lue Productions, performed including, gospel rapper, Dunamis L1019, rapper Paul Douglas and the rap group Junkiez. Phelice sold hand-signed copies of her book and gave a lollipop to every child in attendance. There were also games for kids throughout the day. Inspiration for writing has come easy to T’ana: “Well, I’m a young single mother, about to exit my twenties, I just want to do something to make my daughter proud; give her something to aspire to, as far as standards, things like that,” Phelice said. Jaded Diamonds, the author’s first book, is a non-fiction novel available on Amazon and at bookstores. “Even though children’s books are shorter, they’re a lot harder to write,” Phelice said about the release of the next book in the series, I haven’t decided when the one will be released just yet. For future information about the series, visit www.tanaphelice.com. “I don’t really consider myself a full-time author, but yea, I guess you could say that I am,” Phelice said. As long as she could remember Phelice has enjoyed writing, ”I remember people telling me, you’re going to be a writer one day,” she said. Phelice currently lives Glendale, Arizona with her daughter and works for the University of Arizona.