September 15, 2024 • 27 mins
Malik was also invited to Tavis Smiley’s 60th birthday party and celebration of his Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden!
Dr. Cornel West was in the house and Malik got a sound bite from him about the importance of reading! Hear it here!
And Malik interviews Jessica and Parker Curry about their book “Parker Looks Up” and Parker’s viral moment with a portrait of Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Molik Bus has all the knowledge you want. My Leak
Bus has all the knowledge you need.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Chat they have all the books that the whole wild
world one of read League Bus. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to
Malik's Bookshow, bringing a world together with books, culture and community. Hi,
my name is Malik, your host of Malik's Book Show.
I'm outside. I'm in nature. You might hear some crookeds,
(00:31):
you might hear some wind, you might hear some airplanes
going around. You might even hear somebody huffing and puffing
and running down the field.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
But I'm out in the wild.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I'm out in the nature, I'm out in the community,
and I'm sitting here recording my podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
It was a wonderful, wonderful week.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I want to share an interview I did with Jessica
and Parker Carrie.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
At the bookstore.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
We did a podcast line at the bookstore with gold Daddy.
We were filming a video about our brand, our mission
at Malik Books. And Jessica and Parker Carry, who wrote
a couple of books, well not just a couple more
they got about eight books.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
And she started when she was two years old.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Parker Carry with Parker looks up and the latest book is.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
The Slumber Party.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
But I interviewed both Parker and Jessica her mother at
Malik Books, and I'm gonna share that interview.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
You're gonna hear. She's nine now and.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Like I said, got about eight books and she started
out at two years old with the first one. So
she's talking with me as well as her mother, and
I'm gonna feature that interview. Also was invited to Tavis Smiley.
Y'all know Tavis Smiley. He's only one of the most
(02:00):
decorated host that was on I Believe It air for
like fourteen years with PBS as an interview hosted the
PPS Show, interview just about everybody that you can think of,
from Obama to Biden, to.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Celebrities and you name it. He's interviewed him. Well.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Anyway, I was invited to his birthday party, but more
important it was his sixtieth birthday party.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
But more importantly it.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Was his.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
His celebration of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award that he
received by Joe Biden. So it was a combination of
an award ceremony to share with the people that love him,
the friends and the family.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Award that he received by Joe Biden and his sixtieth
birthday party. Malik was honored to be a guest and
be invited to a stellar event downtown in LA on
a short list like that. That was amazing, It was incredible.
It was man just to be there. It lets me
(03:16):
know that I'm doing something. Then I'm doing something in
the community. That Tavis thought there was necessary, well not
nothing used to word necessary that Malik be invited to
his celebratory presidential Lifetime Achievement award and his sixtieth birthday party.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So I'm honored because Tavis is known.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
You can watch the State of the Union videos, the
State of Black America videos, the State of the Union
videos that he's done over the years where he invited
some of the top intellectual educators, scholars, grassroots leaders, political advocates,
(04:06):
you name it. They've been at the State of the
Union and they still run those State of the Unions.
I guess on YouTube in the house was Cordnell West,
doctor Cordnell West, and guess what. Malik was able to
get a SoundBite from doctor Cortnell West, who done.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
The main honorary award ceremony.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
For Tavis Smyle. They've been together for a long time.
They've traveled this whole globe. They've done so many things together,
and they're very close and dear friend like brothers. Where
doctor Cornell West was in the house and he threw
down this is the most intellectual, most extraordinary person I
think I've ever interviewed, simply because this brother.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Has taught some of the greatest sea because.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
You know, he taught at Harvard University. He taught that
major university, I mean, you name it, he's been there.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
And this guy is one of.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
The most intellectual, one of the most educated, one of
the most gifted brothers.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
That I was able to talk to briefly.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I was able to get a sound bite from about
the importance of reading.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
I'm running out on this show.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
But doctor Cornell West, I never thought that I would
run into him or have a conversation with him, Not
that I ever thought about it, but the fact that
the matter is, we were all in the same house
and I said to mine, I got to run up
on doctor Cornell. That's the most Listen, we talk about
WD boys, we talk about Booker t Why, we talk
(05:47):
about a lot of advocates intellectuals, extraordinary leaders of yesterday.
Doctor Cornell West is a modern day leader. Tavin Smarty
Smiley is a modern day leader. I was able to
talk to doctor Cornel what he's the modern.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Day w E D the Boys. Let's just keep it real.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
He's the modern day w E D the Boys because
because he back in the day he was an insulact.
He was known as doing the Harlem renalsce w E
the boyd. I'm sorry, doctor w E the Boys. He
was the modern day you know, he was back in
the past. He was the renaissance, Holland Renaissance. He was,
(06:37):
you know, known for all education, and he talked to
the masters of the people, and he had a philosophy.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
He was highly.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Educated, and he wanted to see black people elevate in
America despite past slavery and oppression and so forth. Anyway,
doctor Cort there, it's the modern day w boy. That's
the level that this brother has been on and the
impact that he's made. He can he everywhere he travels.
(07:10):
I was told his students always recognize him. A lot
of his students are running major corporations. A lot of
his students are palanzouses. A lot of his students are
engaged world. Why so, hey, I got a chance. Hey
it's not that long, but hey, I rolled up on
him and I got a sound bite, and it's about
(07:33):
the importance of reading. And I'm gonna air that on
this so stay tuned for this episode, doctor Cornell. Well,
I can't leave with I'm getting a sound bite for
you why it's important to read.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
Oh, brother Malik, I'm telling you read. You get a
chance to think. When you think critically, you get a
chance to cultivate courage and bad worldness to make the
world a better place. And there's a lot of joy
in reading, not just pleasure, but joy in reading. Deplore
the world's explore the dementias of what it is to
be human. And then at the same time, you can
do it rhythmically, brother, I mean you say, do it with.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
A little style.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
You do it off, beating on the beat, little dissonance here,
little residence there.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Yes, yes, because that's what read on you we got.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
Well, we gotta love the young folk and be an
example of them, so they want to read and reach
y'all to them.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
How y'all doing that?
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yes, yes, doctor Webb, thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to Malie's Book Show, bringing a world
together with books, culture and community. Hi, my name is Malik,
your host of Malik's Book Show. Welcome Jessica and Parker.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
Thank you. We're so excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Wonderful.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Well, hey y'all two big upcoming children authors, and I'm
so excited that I have you on my podcast today
and we're gonna get right into it. We're gonna talk
about your wonderful book that came out a.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Few years ago.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So when you became a child author, both of you
collaborated on this book.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Called Parker Looks Up. Can you tell me how that
came about?
Speaker 3 (09:09):
So Parker Looks Up as our first book, and it
was really inspired by a really special moment that Parker
and I and her sister had at the National Portrait
Gallery in DC, where I was born and raised in
where Parker was born. The Obama portraits had just been unveiled,
and I thought that it would be really important and
(09:30):
special for Parker and her sister to see the portraits
and just recognize like the excellence in who the Obamas
are and everything that they did for our country. So
we went to the National Portrait Gallery and we saw
a ton of portraits. We love art, loved taking in art.
We're all about culture. And although we saw so many
(09:52):
different paintings that day, just as we left, we made
our way to Michelle Obama's portrait. And when we got
to the portrait, you know, like most parents, I wanted
a picture of Parker with the portrait behind her. But
when we got there, yeah, so many pictures, I know.
But we got there and Parker just froze. She wouldn't
(10:14):
turn around to face me. She was staring at the
portrait and I was begging.
Speaker 5 (10:19):
Parker, turn around, turn around, turned around, and she wouldn't
turn around.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
And two seconds later she zipped down the hallway and
we left that day. I left feeling inspired, feeling proud.
And the next morning I woke up to literally hundreds
of text messages and phone calls from family friends, from colleagues,
(10:43):
like elementary school friends, aunties, uncles from all over the country.
And it's a really funny story because at the time
I was really adamant that I wasn't gonna post my
children's faces on the internet. I didn't want them to
have a digital footprint. Until they decided that they wanted
to share their identity with the Internet, because you know,
whatever you put out there, it stays there. So people
(11:05):
were sending me this picture and it looked like a
little girl, a little black girl. She had the same
hairstyle as Parker, the same house as Parker. But I said,
there's no way I didn't take this picture from this angle.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
And it was a picture of her looking up at.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Michelle Obama's portrait in that moment when I couldn't get
her to turn around, and her mouth was just open,
and she was clearly having an extraordinary moment with that portrait.
And the photo went viral and it was shared all
over the world in different languages with all people. Yeah,
(11:44):
who would have thought, right, And then the visits to
the museum turned into this really special, inspiring moment, and
you know when it happened, I was just I was honored.
I was excited that, you know, my little person, who
was two at the time, you know, was in this
image that was so powerful. And a couple of days after,
(12:06):
missus Obama called and we went to her office and
we met her and we talked. We had great conversation.
She's every and anything that you could expect her to be. Warm, generous,
kind and intelligent, beautiful and they had a dance party together.
What yep, And you know what, it was a really
(12:26):
special day. And we left that day feeling really inspired,
and we went on about, you know, our life, our
little life, continuing going to ballet classes and museums and
doing the things that we love to do. And everyone
was asking me in the months after that photo, what
are you gonna do? You should do something? Maybe should
maybe she should model, maybe she should be a kid actor,
(12:47):
And I.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Was like, you know, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
I think Parker's happy going to ballet, being a little kid,
being a two year old doing the things that she loves,
and I'm happy with that too.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
That fills me up. But I'm I wanted to do.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Something special for not only her, so that she could
really hold on to this moment and understand.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
How impactful it was as she grew up.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
But I also wanted little boys and girls all over
the country, all over the world who might not have
the opportunity to get to DC to see the portrait,
to see it. And that's why it's in the book
that reimagining of the portrait is in the book, so
that other kids can see it and they can feel
the magic of that moment. So I wrote the book
(13:32):
and it became a New York and it was an
instant New York Times bestseller. And we've been really lucky
to travel all over the country sharing that book with
little kids and organizations and schools, And I really think
that that's what it's all about, inspiring others. Rights It's
the greatest gift you can give to another person, to
(13:54):
inspire them.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Absolute Parker, how has this whirlwind been? You started his journey.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Two Now you what nine? Yeah, look at that, that's
seven years.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Tell us about how this journey this world when you've
been on, not every nine year old has experienced being
an author and being going viral.
Speaker 6 (14:19):
It's different than most other kids because every almost every
time I walk into a new classroom because I'm in
second grade, I go to third grade and my teacher goes.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Wait a minute, you're Parker.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Every teacher that I've ever met will almost do that
exact same response to me, knowing that I'm a New
York Times bestselling author.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
Man, that's incredible.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Not only a New York Times bestseller, but you nine
people you have inspired inspired over these years through Parker
looks Up and all the other subsequent books Thing you
got books came out to help people read level one.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Are there some level twos and threes.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
There's just level one of the ready to read's right now.
But our literary.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Collection continues to grow. We feel really lucky that we've
had the opportunity to keep writing books and having them
keep being published by Simon and Schuster, who's been such
a wonderful partner much like you, thank you. And we
just tell real stories. The stories are about Parker and
me and my other two children and our life and
(15:32):
and just our day to day adventures, because that that's
what it's about, right, Parker had an extraordinary moment, But kids,
every day, every moment, they're taking in the world around them,
and it's extraordinary to them.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
It's new.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
They're finding inspiration in the littlest pieces of the world
that we live in.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
And so we just we just feel really true, that's true.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
And it's all about taking that moment and then moret
you know, making it immortalize it, Yeah, make it live forever.
And that's what you've done in these books. Because books
is the gift keeps on.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
Gift keeps on giving forever.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Yes, and so Parker, that must be incredible. You go out,
you speak to kids and adults, and you.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Do book signings. Tell us about that and that experience.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
Book tangs are a lot of fun because most of
the time when I do book signings, a lot of
people that I know would come and support me.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yes, yes, yes, you got a lot of new friends. Yeah, yes, yes,
Now I got a question. You got a cell phone, Yeah,
you got a social media account, post a lot of
things that you have done, your books, your events.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Yes, yes, that's right.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
So you got control on round yeah yeah, yeah, but
that's good because I'll follow you.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Yeah, we follow We've all miss from Elite TiO.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Yes, yes, yes, you know.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I you know, I remember the day that you came
to Elite Books here right here at the Westfield Mall.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
And we met and from then we built a relationship.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
We posted events at the Los Angeles Festival Books and
you the book signings with us several times. And we've
also done events right here at the Westfield Mall during
the Winner I think it was called the Widow Wonderland
and last year there was incredible and and we'll continue
(17:34):
to do more events in the future.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
But just tell us about that relationship. What brought you
to Malite Books? Did you stumble on us?
Speaker 5 (17:42):
I did?
Speaker 1 (17:43):
I did.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
Indeed. You know, I'm from d.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
C and we all from d born and raised in
d C, d M d M V right, d m
V d M v DC.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Proper, we're from d C B not Maryland born.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
And so we had just we just moved to California
about three years ago during the pandemic. You know, I
think a lot of people realized during the pandemic, like
life is short. You need to go do what you
want to do, and do it now because you never
know when the last day is going to be. And
so we had just moved here, We've probably been here
(18:22):
a week, and we were like, let's go to the mall.
I don't even remember what we came for, but I
know that as soon as we came in the mall,
we came through Macy's and I looked across the aisle.
I said, Leak Books, sounds like a store I need
to go in. I like books, Malik sounded like one
of my brothers.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I need to go on in.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
And we walked up and as I got closer, my
my mouth just got wider and wider and wider, because
what I could see through the glass was this wall
on this side right, and all I could see was
ceiling to floor books by black authors, authors of color,
(19:04):
books featuring main characters of color, little black kids, little
black boys, picture books. That one bookshelf up there used
to be all picture books. And I said, oh, I
have to go in. And I went in and I
stood in front of that bookshelf for about five minutes
looking at all the books.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
I said, our book, we have our book. I was
so excited.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I literally cut through the aisles and I came up
here and I was like, Hi, how are you, sir?
I need to speak to the owner and he said, oh, well,
you got the right person, that's me. And I said, listen,
can I just express gratitude just before I say anything,
Let me just express gratitude for this beautiful bookstore you have,
(19:48):
with all these beautiful minority books, all these children's picture
books with children of color.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
I said, I cry. I said, I'm this is incredible.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
I've never seen this many black books and whate place, which,
of course from we're very excited to hear that. And
you know, I went on to say you know. My
name is Jessica. I'm from DC. Immediately we connected over that,
of course, and I was like, you have my book
on your bookshelf and he was.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
Like, what do I What book is it? And I said,
Parker looks up. Immediately he comes around the counter.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
We're hugging, we're talking. I said, you know what, we
just moved here. I haven't been in one other bookstore
in LA yet.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
But I want you, if you will.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Have us, I want you to be our partner in
California when we do events.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
I want you to be our bookseller.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
I will tell our publisher you are who we use
when we do events.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
And let's be partners. Let's lift each other up.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
Let's make community together and inspire the community together.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Whatever we can do together, let's do it. And I think.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
It probably wasn't but a few months after that we
probably did our first event together. It's been three years
now that we've had this wonderful, wonderful, beautiful relationship. We
check in with each other, we do events together, we
try to help each other however we can. Whenever someone
finds out that Parker and I are authors, that we
have these beautiful books, the first thing I say is
(21:16):
go to myleek books. Hello, he carries all the books.
They've got two locations. Whoa, you can find our books there.
Go there, tell them. And it's been just a joy
and an honor to be a partner of you and
April and be friends with you all and have community
with you all.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Just just really just really grateful to have you in
our life.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Wonderful, wonderful.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
You know, I'm blessed, you know, to beat it on
that day to meet you. You know, I could have
been some will, but everything came together and no coincidence.
We were meant to meet and we were meant to
work together, and that has taken place now. You know,
you walked into the books store, you saw the legacy wall.
(22:03):
I got sixty foot of children books leading all the
way up to young adult.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
Nothing like it in the country.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
Now, Parker, I believe children of one hundred percent of
the future.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
Everything we do.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Here is to inspire you in the next generation, and you,
at such an early age, is doing just that. You know,
when I look at your books and I see the images,
the illustrations, and the Parker looks up expressed a very
(22:39):
positive image of a little young black Girl, and your
books have evolved to show a melting pot of young
boys and girls and inspire them to read.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
I just want you to.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
You know, tell me in your own words, how does
that feel?
Speaker 6 (23:02):
It feels great?
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Wow, amazing?
Speaker 5 (23:06):
And I'm I'm.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Sure that each book leads to the next book. And
the next book that just came out was Parker Summer Party.
How did that come about?
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Uh? It just came about because when I was younger
and I lived in Washington, I had a best friend
named Ga Jones, which is in the Bucks, and we
had summer parties all the time. We'd stay up almost
all night talking. We couldn't get to bed, even if
our mom thought we were asleep, we were. We were
away playing, doing stuff in gas bed, messing with her clock,
(23:43):
breaking something probably wow.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Having fun. Yes, having a good time. Ka's Slummer Party
is an expression of just you being.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
A young girl.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
Huh yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yeah. And is that how you come up with the
idea DearS for all of your books?
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Yeah? Yes, Real stories are stories, stories that matter to her.
She does a lot of the leading now. She chooses
what we're going to write about, what the next story
is going to be about. And I think that is
what makes them so special, is that they're real stories
that are universal. Right, everybody can relate to their first
slumber party, whether it was with friends or cousins, or
(24:24):
at an auntie or an uncle's house. Slumber parties, we
all go through that.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
So, Yes, and I think one of the titles of
you book, Parker's Big Feelings, is that the title, Yeah,
Parker's big feeling, and well, what's the big feeling?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
The big feelings are because at seven, eight, nine years old,
we have big feelings, we do, and you know, even
adults we have big feelings, you know, and mental health
is really important to me, it's one of my passions.
And I felt like writing a story about something that's
super personal to her, super personal to me as a mom,
(25:01):
trying to help her manage those big feelings, trying to
manage my big feelings and helping her with her big feelings.
Everybody can relate to that, you know, And there's a
million ways you can cope with those big feelings. So
just wanted to put a few of those ideas on
paper for the littlest readers to know that they all
have big feelings and you can deal with them.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yes, where they all the books are inspiring, they're encouraging,
they're motivating, they're uplifting. You're touching a lot of kids,
you're touching a lot of parents.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Listen.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
What you're doing is incredible and I just want you
to know it.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
If nobody else did. I know your mama didn't told.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
You that, but I'm telling you as Alit the owner
of Malique Books.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
I'm very impressed. I'm looking to see what's next.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
I've been following you since the first book, and I'm
gonna continue to follow you until further books. Just just
the beginning, I could see the big screen. I could
see probably unanimated story on TV on your books, the
character Parker.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Wouldn't that be amazing? I got it out of them.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Yes, it's a.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Amation series coming to you soon.
Speaker 5 (26:14):
It's in production.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
If you know a buyer, hello, you know someone that Netflix, Disney,
let us know.
Speaker 5 (26:21):
But yeah, we're working on it. It's in production right now.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
That means you gotta look out for Jessica and Parker
carry You need to tell them where to find you
right now.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
You can find us on Instagram at Parker Curry. It's
Parker's Instagram. We also have another Instagram, happy mom and
happy Babies. That's my where I put all my things
that the kids are doing. Things that I'm doing with
the kids inspire me.
Speaker 6 (26:45):
As five hundred and fifty eight photos.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Hell say that again, I did not have that many photos.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
Yay.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
No, I wish I had enough.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Time, so much I don't. That is well, you just
heard it on Malik's Bookshelf.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Bringing a world together with books, culture and community.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
I'll guess Jessica and Parker carry.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Thank you, Thank you, mister Meligue, thank you.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Thanks for listening to Malik's Bookshelf, where topics on the
shelf are books, culture, and community. Be sure to subscribe
and leave me a review. Check out my instagram at
Malak Books. See you next time,
Molik Bus has all the knowledge you want. My Leak
Bus has all the knowledge you need.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Chat they have all the books that the whole wild
world one of read League Bus. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to
Malik's Bookshow, bringing a world together with books, culture and community. Hi,
my name is Malik, your host of Malik's Book Show.
I'm outside. I'm in nature. You might hear some crookeds,
(00:31):
you might hear some wind, you might hear some airplanes
going around. You might even hear somebody huffing and puffing
and running down the field.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
But I'm out in the wild.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I'm out in the nature, I'm out in the community,
and I'm sitting here recording my podcast.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
It was a wonderful, wonderful week.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
I want to share an interview I did with Jessica
and Parker Carrie.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
At the bookstore.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
We did a podcast line at the bookstore with gold Daddy.
We were filming a video about our brand, our mission
at Malik Books. And Jessica and Parker Carry, who wrote
a couple of books, well not just a couple more
they got about eight books.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
And she started when she was two years old.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Parker Carry with Parker looks up and the latest book is.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
The Slumber Party.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
But I interviewed both Parker and Jessica her mother at
Malik Books, and I'm gonna share that interview.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
You're gonna hear. She's nine now and.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Like I said, got about eight books and she started
out at two years old with the first one. So
she's talking with me as well as her mother, and
I'm gonna feature that interview. Also was invited to Tavis Smiley.
Y'all know Tavis Smiley. He's only one of the most
(02:00):
decorated host that was on I Believe It air for
like fourteen years with PBS as an interview hosted the
PPS Show, interview just about everybody that you can think of,
from Obama to Biden, to.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Celebrities and you name it. He's interviewed him. Well.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
Anyway, I was invited to his birthday party, but more
important it was his sixtieth birthday party.
Speaker 1 (02:28):
But more importantly it.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Was his.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
His celebration of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award that he
received by Joe Biden. So it was a combination of
an award ceremony to share with the people that love him,
the friends and the family.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Award that he received by Joe Biden and his sixtieth
birthday party. Malik was honored to be a guest and
be invited to a stellar event downtown in LA on
a short list like that. That was amazing, It was incredible.
It was man just to be there. It lets me
(03:16):
know that I'm doing something. Then I'm doing something in
the community. That Tavis thought there was necessary, well not
nothing used to word necessary that Malik be invited to
his celebratory presidential Lifetime Achievement award and his sixtieth birthday party.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
So I'm honored because Tavis is known.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
You can watch the State of the Union videos, the
State of Black America videos, the State of the Union
videos that he's done over the years where he invited
some of the top intellectual educators, scholars, grassroots leaders, political advocates,
(04:06):
you name it. They've been at the State of the
Union and they still run those State of the Unions.
I guess on YouTube in the house was Cordnell West,
doctor Cordnell West, and guess what. Malik was able to
get a SoundBite from doctor Cortnell West, who done.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
The main honorary award ceremony.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
For Tavis Smyle. They've been together for a long time.
They've traveled this whole globe. They've done so many things together,
and they're very close and dear friend like brothers. Where
doctor Cornell West was in the house and he threw
down this is the most intellectual, most extraordinary person I
think I've ever interviewed, simply because this brother.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
Has taught some of the greatest sea because.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
You know, he taught at Harvard University. He taught that
major university, I mean, you name it, he's been there.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
And this guy is one of.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
The most intellectual, one of the most educated, one of
the most gifted brothers.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
That I was able to talk to briefly.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
I was able to get a sound bite from about
the importance of reading.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
I'm running out on this show.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
But doctor Cornell West, I never thought that I would
run into him or have a conversation with him, Not
that I ever thought about it, but the fact that
the matter is, we were all in the same house
and I said to mine, I got to run up
on doctor Cornell. That's the most Listen, we talk about
WD boys, we talk about Booker t Why, we talk
(05:47):
about a lot of advocates intellectuals, extraordinary leaders of yesterday.
Doctor Cornell West is a modern day leader. Tavin Smarty
Smiley is a modern day leader. I was able to
talk to doctor Cornel what he's the modern.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Day w E D the Boys. Let's just keep it real.
Speaker 2 (06:14):
He's the modern day w E D the Boys because
because he back in the day he was an insulact.
He was known as doing the Harlem renalsce w E
the boyd. I'm sorry, doctor w E the Boys. He
was the modern day you know, he was back in
the past. He was the renaissance, Holland Renaissance. He was,
(06:37):
you know, known for all education, and he talked to
the masters of the people, and he had a philosophy.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
He was highly.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
Educated, and he wanted to see black people elevate in
America despite past slavery and oppression and so forth. Anyway,
doctor Cort there, it's the modern day w boy. That's
the level that this brother has been on and the
impact that he's made. He can he everywhere he travels.
(07:10):
I was told his students always recognize him. A lot
of his students are running major corporations. A lot of
his students are palanzouses. A lot of his students are
engaged world. Why so, hey, I got a chance. Hey
it's not that long, but hey, I rolled up on
him and I got a sound bite, and it's about
(07:33):
the importance of reading. And I'm gonna air that on
this so stay tuned for this episode, doctor Cornell. Well,
I can't leave with I'm getting a sound bite for
you why it's important to read.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
Oh, brother Malik, I'm telling you read. You get a
chance to think. When you think critically, you get a
chance to cultivate courage and bad worldness to make the
world a better place. And there's a lot of joy
in reading, not just pleasure, but joy in reading. Deplore
the world's explore the dementias of what it is to
be human. And then at the same time, you can
do it rhythmically, brother, I mean you say, do it with.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
A little style.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
You do it off, beating on the beat, little dissonance here,
little residence there.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Yes, yes, because that's what read on you we got.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
Well, we gotta love the young folk and be an
example of them, so they want to read and reach
y'all to them.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
How y'all doing that?
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Yes, yes, doctor Webb, thank you.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to Malie's Book Show, bringing a world
together with books, culture and community. Hi, my name is Malik,
your host of Malik's Book Show. Welcome Jessica and Parker.
Speaker 5 (08:43):
Thank you. We're so excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
Wonderful.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Well, hey y'all two big upcoming children authors, and I'm
so excited that I have you on my podcast today
and we're gonna get right into it. We're gonna talk
about your wonderful book that came out a.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Few years ago.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So when you became a child author, both of you
collaborated on this book.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Called Parker Looks Up. Can you tell me how that
came about?
Speaker 3 (09:09):
So Parker Looks Up as our first book, and it
was really inspired by a really special moment that Parker
and I and her sister had at the National Portrait
Gallery in DC, where I was born and raised in
where Parker was born. The Obama portraits had just been unveiled,
and I thought that it would be really important and
(09:30):
special for Parker and her sister to see the portraits
and just recognize like the excellence in who the Obamas
are and everything that they did for our country. So
we went to the National Portrait Gallery and we saw
a ton of portraits. We love art, loved taking in art.
We're all about culture. And although we saw so many
(09:52):
different paintings that day, just as we left, we made
our way to Michelle Obama's portrait. And when we got
to the portrait, you know, like most parents, I wanted
a picture of Parker with the portrait behind her. But
when we got there, yeah, so many pictures, I know.
But we got there and Parker just froze. She wouldn't
(10:14):
turn around to face me. She was staring at the
portrait and I was begging.
Speaker 5 (10:19):
Parker, turn around, turn around, turned around, and she wouldn't
turn around.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
And two seconds later she zipped down the hallway and
we left that day. I left feeling inspired, feeling proud.
And the next morning I woke up to literally hundreds
of text messages and phone calls from family friends, from colleagues,
(10:43):
like elementary school friends, aunties, uncles from all over the country.
And it's a really funny story because at the time
I was really adamant that I wasn't gonna post my
children's faces on the internet. I didn't want them to
have a digital footprint. Until they decided that they wanted
to share their identity with the Internet, because you know,
whatever you put out there, it stays there. So people
(11:05):
were sending me this picture and it looked like a
little girl, a little black girl. She had the same
hairstyle as Parker, the same house as Parker. But I said,
there's no way I didn't take this picture from this angle.
Speaker 5 (11:20):
And it was a picture of her looking up at.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Michelle Obama's portrait in that moment when I couldn't get
her to turn around, and her mouth was just open,
and she was clearly having an extraordinary moment with that portrait.
And the photo went viral and it was shared all
over the world in different languages with all people. Yeah,
(11:44):
who would have thought, right, And then the visits to
the museum turned into this really special, inspiring moment, and
you know when it happened, I was just I was honored.
I was excited that, you know, my little person, who
was two at the time, you know, was in this
image that was so powerful. And a couple of days after,
(12:06):
missus Obama called and we went to her office and
we met her and we talked. We had great conversation.
She's every and anything that you could expect her to be. Warm, generous,
kind and intelligent, beautiful and they had a dance party together.
What yep, And you know what, it was a really
(12:26):
special day. And we left that day feeling really inspired,
and we went on about, you know, our life, our
little life, continuing going to ballet classes and museums and
doing the things that we love to do. And everyone
was asking me in the months after that photo, what
are you gonna do? You should do something? Maybe should
maybe she should model, maybe she should be a kid actor,
(12:47):
And I.
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Was like, you know, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
I think Parker's happy going to ballet, being a little kid,
being a two year old doing the things that she loves,
and I'm happy with that too.
Speaker 5 (12:58):
That fills me up. But I'm I wanted to do.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Something special for not only her, so that she could
really hold on to this moment and understand.
Speaker 5 (13:07):
How impactful it was as she grew up.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
But I also wanted little boys and girls all over
the country, all over the world who might not have
the opportunity to get to DC to see the portrait,
to see it. And that's why it's in the book
that reimagining of the portrait is in the book, so
that other kids can see it and they can feel
the magic of that moment. So I wrote the book
(13:32):
and it became a New York and it was an
instant New York Times bestseller. And we've been really lucky
to travel all over the country sharing that book with
little kids and organizations and schools, And I really think
that that's what it's all about, inspiring others. Rights It's
the greatest gift you can give to another person, to
(13:54):
inspire them.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Absolute Parker, how has this whirlwind been? You started his journey.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Two Now you what nine? Yeah, look at that, that's
seven years.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Tell us about how this journey this world when you've
been on, not every nine year old has experienced being
an author and being going viral.
Speaker 6 (14:19):
It's different than most other kids because every almost every
time I walk into a new classroom because I'm in
second grade, I go to third grade and my teacher goes.
Speaker 5 (14:32):
Wait a minute, you're Parker.
Speaker 6 (14:36):
Every teacher that I've ever met will almost do that
exact same response to me, knowing that I'm a New
York Times bestselling author.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
Man, that's incredible.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
Not only a New York Times bestseller, but you nine
people you have inspired inspired over these years through Parker
looks Up and all the other subsequent books Thing you
got books came out to help people read level one.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Are there some level twos and threes.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
There's just level one of the ready to read's right now.
But our literary.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Collection continues to grow. We feel really lucky that we've
had the opportunity to keep writing books and having them
keep being published by Simon and Schuster, who's been such
a wonderful partner much like you, thank you. And we
just tell real stories. The stories are about Parker and
me and my other two children and our life and
(15:32):
and just our day to day adventures, because that that's
what it's about, right, Parker had an extraordinary moment, But kids,
every day, every moment, they're taking in the world around them,
and it's extraordinary to them.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
It's new.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
They're finding inspiration in the littlest pieces of the world
that we live in.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
And so we just we just feel really true, that's true.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
And it's all about taking that moment and then moret
you know, making it immortalize it, Yeah, make it live forever.
And that's what you've done in these books. Because books
is the gift keeps on.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
Gift keeps on giving forever.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Yes, and so Parker, that must be incredible. You go out,
you speak to kids and adults, and you.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Do book signings. Tell us about that and that experience.
Speaker 6 (16:21):
Book tangs are a lot of fun because most of
the time when I do book signings, a lot of
people that I know would come and support me.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Yes, yes, yes, you got a lot of new friends. Yeah, yes, yes,
Now I got a question. You got a cell phone, Yeah,
you got a social media account, post a lot of
things that you have done, your books, your events.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
Yes, yes, that's right.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
So you got control on round yeah yeah, yeah, but
that's good because I'll follow you.
Speaker 5 (16:59):
Yeah, we follow We've all miss from Elite TiO.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Yes, yes, yes, you know.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I you know, I remember the day that you came
to Elite Books here right here at the Westfield Mall.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
And we met and from then we built a relationship.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
We posted events at the Los Angeles Festival Books and
you the book signings with us several times. And we've
also done events right here at the Westfield Mall during
the Winner I think it was called the Widow Wonderland
and last year there was incredible and and we'll continue
(17:34):
to do more events in the future.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
But just tell us about that relationship. What brought you
to Malite Books? Did you stumble on us?
Speaker 5 (17:42):
I did?
Speaker 1 (17:43):
I did.
Speaker 5 (17:44):
Indeed. You know, I'm from d.
Speaker 7 (17:46):
C and we all from d born and raised in
d C, d M d M V right, d m
V d M v DC.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Proper, we're from d C B not Maryland born.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
And so we had just we just moved to California
about three years ago during the pandemic. You know, I
think a lot of people realized during the pandemic, like
life is short. You need to go do what you
want to do, and do it now because you never
know when the last day is going to be. And
so we had just moved here, We've probably been here
(18:22):
a week, and we were like, let's go to the mall.
I don't even remember what we came for, but I
know that as soon as we came in the mall,
we came through Macy's and I looked across the aisle.
I said, Leak Books, sounds like a store I need
to go in. I like books, Malik sounded like one
of my brothers.
Speaker 5 (18:41):
I need to go on in.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
And we walked up and as I got closer, my
my mouth just got wider and wider and wider, because
what I could see through the glass was this wall
on this side right, and all I could see was
ceiling to floor books by black authors, authors of color,
(19:04):
books featuring main characters of color, little black kids, little
black boys, picture books. That one bookshelf up there used
to be all picture books. And I said, oh, I
have to go in. And I went in and I
stood in front of that bookshelf for about five minutes
looking at all the books.
Speaker 5 (19:20):
I said, our book, we have our book. I was
so excited.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I literally cut through the aisles and I came up
here and I was like, Hi, how are you, sir?
I need to speak to the owner and he said, oh, well,
you got the right person, that's me. And I said, listen,
can I just express gratitude just before I say anything,
Let me just express gratitude for this beautiful bookstore you have,
(19:48):
with all these beautiful minority books, all these children's picture
books with children of color.
Speaker 5 (19:55):
I said, I cry. I said, I'm this is incredible.
Speaker 3 (19:58):
I've never seen this many black books and whate place, which,
of course from we're very excited to hear that. And
you know, I went on to say you know. My
name is Jessica. I'm from DC. Immediately we connected over that,
of course, and I was like, you have my book
on your bookshelf and he was.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
Like, what do I What book is it? And I said,
Parker looks up. Immediately he comes around the counter.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
We're hugging, we're talking. I said, you know what, we
just moved here. I haven't been in one other bookstore
in LA yet.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
But I want you, if you will.
Speaker 3 (20:32):
Have us, I want you to be our partner in
California when we do events.
Speaker 5 (20:37):
I want you to be our bookseller.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
I will tell our publisher you are who we use
when we do events.
Speaker 5 (20:43):
And let's be partners. Let's lift each other up.
Speaker 3 (20:46):
Let's make community together and inspire the community together.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
Whatever we can do together, let's do it. And I think.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
It probably wasn't but a few months after that we
probably did our first event together. It's been three years
now that we've had this wonderful, wonderful, beautiful relationship. We
check in with each other, we do events together, we
try to help each other however we can. Whenever someone
finds out that Parker and I are authors, that we
have these beautiful books, the first thing I say is
(21:16):
go to myleek books. Hello, he carries all the books.
They've got two locations. Whoa, you can find our books there.
Go there, tell them. And it's been just a joy
and an honor to be a partner of you and
April and be friends with you all and have community
with you all.
Speaker 5 (21:35):
Just just really just really grateful to have you in
our life.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Wonderful, wonderful.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
You know, I'm blessed, you know, to beat it on
that day to meet you. You know, I could have
been some will, but everything came together and no coincidence.
We were meant to meet and we were meant to
work together, and that has taken place now. You know,
you walked into the books store, you saw the legacy wall.
(22:03):
I got sixty foot of children books leading all the
way up to young adult.
Speaker 5 (22:09):
Nothing like it in the country.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
Now, Parker, I believe children of one hundred percent of
the future.
Speaker 5 (22:15):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
Everything we do.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
Here is to inspire you in the next generation, and you,
at such an early age, is doing just that. You know,
when I look at your books and I see the images,
the illustrations, and the Parker looks up expressed a very
(22:39):
positive image of a little young black Girl, and your
books have evolved to show a melting pot of young
boys and girls and inspire them to read.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
I just want you to.
Speaker 2 (22:55):
You know, tell me in your own words, how does
that feel?
Speaker 6 (23:02):
It feels great?
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Wow, amazing?
Speaker 5 (23:06):
And I'm I'm.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Sure that each book leads to the next book. And
the next book that just came out was Parker Summer Party.
How did that come about?
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Uh? It just came about because when I was younger
and I lived in Washington, I had a best friend
named Ga Jones, which is in the Bucks, and we
had summer parties all the time. We'd stay up almost
all night talking. We couldn't get to bed, even if
our mom thought we were asleep, we were. We were
away playing, doing stuff in gas bed, messing with her clock,
(23:43):
breaking something probably wow.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Having fun. Yes, having a good time. Ka's Slummer Party
is an expression of just you being.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
A young girl.
Speaker 5 (23:56):
Huh yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Yeah. And is that how you come up with the
idea DearS for all of your books?
Speaker 3 (24:02):
Yeah? Yes, Real stories are stories, stories that matter to her.
She does a lot of the leading now. She chooses
what we're going to write about, what the next story
is going to be about. And I think that is
what makes them so special, is that they're real stories
that are universal. Right, everybody can relate to their first
slumber party, whether it was with friends or cousins, or
(24:24):
at an auntie or an uncle's house. Slumber parties, we
all go through that.
Speaker 2 (24:27):
So, Yes, and I think one of the titles of
you book, Parker's Big Feelings, is that the title, Yeah,
Parker's big feeling, and well, what's the big feeling?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
The big feelings are because at seven, eight, nine years old,
we have big feelings, we do, and you know, even
adults we have big feelings, you know, and mental health
is really important to me, it's one of my passions.
And I felt like writing a story about something that's
super personal to her, super personal to me as a mom,
(25:01):
trying to help her manage those big feelings, trying to
manage my big feelings and helping her with her big feelings.
Everybody can relate to that, you know, And there's a
million ways you can cope with those big feelings. So
just wanted to put a few of those ideas on
paper for the littlest readers to know that they all
have big feelings and you can deal with them.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yes, where they all the books are inspiring, they're encouraging,
they're motivating, they're uplifting. You're touching a lot of kids,
you're touching a lot of parents.
Speaker 1 (25:30):
Listen.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
What you're doing is incredible and I just want you
to know it.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
If nobody else did. I know your mama didn't told.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
You that, but I'm telling you as Alit the owner
of Malique Books.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
I'm very impressed. I'm looking to see what's next.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
I've been following you since the first book, and I'm
gonna continue to follow you until further books. Just just
the beginning, I could see the big screen. I could
see probably unanimated story on TV on your books, the
character Parker.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Wouldn't that be amazing? I got it out of them.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Yes, it's a.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Amation series coming to you soon.
Speaker 5 (26:14):
It's in production.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
If you know a buyer, hello, you know someone that Netflix, Disney,
let us know.
Speaker 5 (26:21):
But yeah, we're working on it. It's in production right now.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
That means you gotta look out for Jessica and Parker
carry You need to tell them where to find you
right now.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
You can find us on Instagram at Parker Curry. It's
Parker's Instagram. We also have another Instagram, happy mom and
happy Babies. That's my where I put all my things
that the kids are doing. Things that I'm doing with
the kids inspire me.
Speaker 6 (26:45):
As five hundred and fifty eight photos.
Speaker 2 (26:49):
Hell say that again, I did not have that many photos.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
Yay.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
No, I wish I had enough.
Speaker 1 (26:58):
Time, so much I don't. That is well, you just
heard it on Malik's Bookshelf.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
Bringing a world together with books, culture and community.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
I'll guess Jessica and Parker carry.
Speaker 3 (27:12):
Thank you, Thank you, mister Meligue, thank you.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
Thanks for listening to Malik's Bookshelf, where topics on the
shelf are books, culture, and community. Be sure to subscribe
and leave me a review. Check out my instagram at
Malak Books. See you next time,
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