While working at a learning hub at the Smoketown Family Wellness Center, which provides support for kids with Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI), Lavinia Hawkins noticed how disconnected the kids were from their teachers and friends at school.  So, Lavinia decided to write her first children's book as a way to provide a physical copy of a book, which is not readily available due to school and library closures during the pandemic.

Her book, "Will We Still Have Christmas?", focuses on a family's dynamic and how things will be different due to the pandemic. Lavinia started a Kickstarter to raise money for 1,000 of her books and 350 Christmas Friends, our 9" Strawberry Colorama Bear, featured in the book. All which is to be donated to various organizations, like the Smoketown Family Wellness Center and Transitioning Family Advocates.

Thank you to Lavinia and her husband for the amazing work they do for their community and we are proud that our red Colorama Bear is a featured as a part of your children's book.