Blog Archives
Take Meaningful Steps
A Father’s Presence follows a boy growing up with a father who is physically present but emotionally distant, who decides to break generational cycles and learn how to be present and emotionally available to his own son. What was the inspiration for your story?
My middle name is Curtis. This book is loosely based on my life. My father did not meet his father until he was a teenager. This had a significant impact on not only his life but ours as well (I.e., my mother, sister, and brother). My father took lessons from the military and life in general to model his approach for fatherhood; however, that foundation wasn’t there due to his own father’s absence. To him, being there was the most important thing a father could do. I was able to build off of what my father did. This is what inspired the book. I wanted to a way to convey to men and children that may have grew up without a father that they are not destined to repeat that cycle. If they are determined to heal their traumas and seek council, they can take meaningful steps forward which can repair the damage caused from the past absence.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I am a visual person. I wanted to show positive men, black love, effective communication, vulnerability, generational trauma, and generational healing. It was important these elements were in this book. I didn’t want the book to be preachy though. I added subtle details throughout the book. For example, in the book when Curtis is at the dinner table with his son and wife, there is a wedding picture in the background. This is a minor detail some may miss, but subconsciously it is received.
The art in this book brings the story to life and has a strong emotional impact that children can relate to. What was the art collaboration process like with the illustrator Salar Seif?
Before starting this project, Salar and I had a talk. He had done some cover art work for some of my other projects, so I was confident in his work. However, during this talk I wanted to make it clear how important this project was not just for me but for black people everywhere. It could not come across without class. My people had to be shown with dignity and care. He understood the importance and potential impact.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from A Father’s Presence?
While we cannot change our past traumas, we are responsible for healing from them. That is not easy, but it can be done. I believe this book shows a way, and I am sure there are other ways. Additionally, I want this book to be conversation starter, and it has been. Some of my friends told me they’ve had some very insightful conversations with their children after reading it. Discussions around what it means to truly be present and how they can show up better in their lives.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
The story follows three generations:
Curtis’s grandfather: Absent, leaving a wound
Curtis’s father: Present but distant, trying to heal without the tools
Curtis: Present AND emotionally available, completing the healing
Core themes include:
Breaking generational cycles through intentional growth
The difference between being there and being present
How children learn emotional skills wherever they can find them
Building the kind of father you wish you’d had
A Father’s Presence is a gentle, powerful story about how love can grow across generations when someone has the courage to learn what they weren’t taught, creating a new legacy of connection and emotional healing for their family.
Perfect for fathers and children to read together, sparking conversations about feelings, presence, and the daily work of building strong family bonds.
A Father’s Presence
A Father’s Presence tells the story of Curtis and his father, tracing the ripples of absence that echo through generations of men learning what it truly means to “be there.” It begins with a boy whose father, though physically present, feels distant, carrying the quiet ache of growing up without his own dad. Through small, tender moments and the wisdom of mentors like a patient coach, Curtis learns how listening and empathy can heal old wounds. The story blooms into a celebration of connection, showing how one family breaks free from the heavy weight of inherited silence to build something whole and loving.
Reading this children’s book stirred something deep in me. The writing feels honest and simple, yet it cuts right to the heart. Each page carries warmth and quiet power through its words and its illustrations. The author doesn’t hide behind fancy words or big speeches. Instead, he shows us the small gestures like a pat on the head, an empty chair, a son’s whispered promise, that build and break a life. The pacing is gentle, but the emotions sneak up on you. By the end, I wasn’t just reading about Curtis and his father. I was thinking about my own family, about the times I could have listened more or spoken less. There’s something raw and comforting about that.
I loved how the book balances pain and hope. The illustrations by Salar Seif add another layer of heart, soft and sincere, helping the story feel alive. The scene where Curtis and his dad finally spoke, not as man and boy, but as two souls trying to understand each other, that scene hit me hardest. It reminded me that presence isn’t about showing up, it’s about seeing, hearing, and feeling with someone.
I’d recommend A Father’s Presence to anyone who’s ever wished for a deeper connection with their parents, their children, or themselves. It’s a picture book for fathers trying to unlearn the quiet, for sons who crave more than words, and for anyone brave enough to break old cycles. This children’s book doesn’t just tell a story. It gives you a reason to sit down, listen, and start again.
Pages: 20 | ASIN : B0FRQ28YTJ
LITERARY TITAN 