AT a time when gadgets and social media dominate the minds and attention of children, first-time published author Mitzie Williams is on a mission to promote the reading of physical books by minors through her début publication, I Can Says Fran.

According to Williams, the plan for the book was to make it an easy-to-read series of inspirational stories for children

“People are having issues engaging in a proper conversation, to be able to write sentences and paragraphs in a certain way, and to be able to read and to learn new words and to build their vocabulary and to be competently articulate at a certain age. Reading certainly helps that and it builds your confidence as well. I think it is very important for this generation to be encouraged to read and for us to continue to buy books for our children and don’t just give them gadgets to occupy their time. Give them books as gifts and encourage them to read,” Williams said on Friday

The story of Fran is centred on a young girl who faced a lot of teasing from peers because of her big feet. Despite this, she overcame to become a good football player.

“The theme of the book is just children being able to show that you’re able to fulfil your dreams, to have the confidence and courage even when they have things like big feet like Fran. Fran was born with big feet and a lot of people bullied her, teased her, and told her all the things she can’t do because she had big feet. From Fran was a little girl she had that confidence to say, ‘I am going to do what I want to do. I am going to dream big and I am going to fulfil my dream’.

Williams said the book is Jamaican-based and is beautifully illustrated with a wonderful message.

“That is something adults and children can appreciate and benefit from. I think with children being bombarded with so much information and content on social media that takes them away from themselves, this book will hell help children to re-centre themselves and to understand a little bit more about their own abilities,” Williams said.

Physical copies of the book can be bought at Kozy Korner, Craft Cottage, Sun Island and at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Mitzie Williams gets ready to read excerpts from her book to a group of children recently.