Meet Pria Dee | Author, Diversity and Child Literacy advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pria Dee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pria, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
Being there for my children and listening to them was always important to me. I also feel that allowing them room to explore and grow at their own pace, while also teaching them right from wrong, is probably the most important aspect of my parenting. Children need to be loved, heard, accepted, and nurtured to become good people.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a published author of children’s literature, and my books reflect my experiences in raising children as well as my ethnic background. They feature diverse characters set in relatable stories that address common childhood themes, such as feeling different, experiencing embarrassment, and navigating various developmental paths. My message is that it’s okay to be different, and we should embrace our differences because they shape who we are.

I enjoy both art and literature, have written for school newsletters, and submitted to contests since childhood. As an adult, I craved a creative outlet, and writing seemed like an obvious choice. I began writing stories for my children and ultimately decided to publish them for other children to enjoy. My book, *Balu Saves the Day*, was written and published during the pandemic. It received positive feedback and has won awards. I loved sharing that story so much that I continued my journey as a children’s author, and I have since published ten children’s books. I still like to dabble in art, though not formally trained, and one day I hope to be able to illustrate my work. In the meantime, I enjoy photography, especially nature, and mostly with my smartphone. I enjoy taking pictures of sunsets and waves, the wildlife found in Michigan like foxes, sand hill cranes, deer, herons, swans, and so much more. A couple of my books even feature these: Little Moe Can’t Fly and Freddy the Frog and the Three Wishes. I appreciate humor wherever I find it, and often take pictures of quirky signs that say so much about the people who own them and bring smiles to others.

Success is about the process, the journey, and the sense of accomplishment it brings. For me, success means feeling proud of what I have achieved and the number of people I have reached through my work. Being able to continue my efforts and enjoy what I do makes me feel blessed and fulfilled.

There are times when I feel discouraged; however, I don’t believe in quitting. To me, true failure lies in giving up. Instead, I learn from my experiences and apply myself to the next challenge. I focus on the work itself rather than the results, which helps me climb to the next rung on the ladder of success.

Diversity and being true to oneself while accepting others are essential aspects of my brand. I present diversity as it relates to learning about culture and fitting in at schools, workplaces, and other venues. My goal is to write for all children and help them see reflections of themselves in my stories.

Giving back to my community and doing something productive that can change the world in small ways makes me happy. I like fundraising for causes. Profits from my book, Balu Saves The Day, continue to support various causes. If my work can make even one person smile or feel a connection, then I have done some good.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Michigan in the summer is absolutely beautiful, offering so much to see and do that even a week may not be enough for my friend to see it all. My friends’ visit would start with a trip to Traverse City and spending some quality time there. We would spend the morning downtown and visit the Grand Traverse Pie Company, and enjoy some delicious cherry pie. Next, rent a boat and sail to Petoskey, where we can stand in knee-high water and search for Petoskey stones with their distinctive patterns. Petoskey is also home to McLean and Eakin Booksellers, which is a magnet for any children’s book author and lover of books. The Katydid is a quick stop to browse through whimsical curios which I love.

Dine on for some comfort food accompanied by hand-crafted cocktails or ale at Northstar TC lounge while enjoying local talent.

The next day, we would visit a Chateau Chantal winery on the famous Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail (with a designated driver, of course) and then grab lunch. We’d spend the afternoon browsing the many shops in downtown Traverse City to pick up a souvenir or two for my friend. Dinner would be at Red Ginger, where we can indulge in some spicy cuisine. The historic village at Traverse City is a great place to wander and browse. Taking time for an Asylum Twilight Tour. The historic Traverse City State Hospital housed many patients, many of them women diagnosed with hysteria, and is rumored to be haunted. A perfect way to get chills on a hot summer day.

On the following day, we’d head to Great Bear Dunes dressed in workout gear and spend the day climbing the dunes. Lunch on a slice at Paesano’s Pizza, followed by an afternoon snoozing in the sun on the beach. Freshen up, and then head to The Little Fleet, where we could sample various offerings from local food trucks. We’d end the evening with a stroll along the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan, stopping for ice cream along the way.

The next day, we would say goodbye to Traverse City and make our way to Tahquamenon Falls, where we would spend the day enjoying nature and exploring the beautiful trails. That evening, we would stop in Marquette, the home of Northern Michigan University, located on the picturesque shores of Lake Superior, and dine at a local restaurant.

The following day, we would visit Presque Isle Park for a few hours of walking on the trails before heading to Munising to admire the stunning Pictured Rocks shoreline. A sunset cruise allows us to view the amazing rock formations up close and enjoy a brilliant sunset on the clear blue waters. We catch glimpses of the Grand Island Lighthouse, a picturesque landmark. After a busy day filled with a lot of visual stimulation, a delicious pizza from Main Street Pizza hits the spot.

On our journey back south, we’d stop at Mackinac Island along the way. We would visit the Grand Hotel and bike around the island, enjoying lunch at Round Island Kitchen, followed by some fudge tasting. We’d return to Detroit late that evening.

Time to explore downtown Detroit. What better way to start the day than with a walk along the river to see the beautiful Spirit of Detroit sculpture and the famous Joe Louise Arm? A cruise on the Princess River Boat would include lunch, and in the evening, we could enjoy great music and the sights at Campus Martius. Reservations at Leila for relaxed late dinner and then a quick walk to Shelby for coffee to end the evening.

On the following day, we’d visit Kensington Park for some kayaking, followed by a picnic lunch and a bike ride. In the evening, we would relax and treat ourselves to a mani-pedi.

On my friend’s last day, in Michigan, I bid a fond farewell to my friend, leaving her with spectacular memories and already making plans for her next visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to recognize Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators -Michigan (SCBWI-MI) for all of the opportunities, advice and support provided to me as a writer.

Website: https://www.priadee.com

Instagram: @priadeeauthor

Twitter: @authorpriadee

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