Fleming’s literary debut to be published in April

March 17, 2016 | Chris Goudreau
cgoudreau@thereminder.com

Longmeadow resident Kevin Fleming will release his debut children’s book, “Reach for the Stars,” which focuses on a message of believing in oneself, on April 4.
Reminder Publications submitted photo

LONGMEADOW – Kevin Fleming started working on the basis of his first children’s book when he was in high school. Now, nearly 20 years later, “Reach for the Stars” will be published April 5.

Fleming, a 37-year-old resident, told Reminder Publications the central messages of his book – aimed for readers between ages 4 and 10 – are “believing in yourself, knowing that you can achieve, and believing in your own value.”

He added, “I think that’s a message that, particularly kids, but everybody needs to hear now and again. We need to like ourselves and achieve what we set out to achieve.”

Fleming’s book was inspired by Dr. Seuss’ children’s book classic, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”

He said he wrote the bulk of “Reach for the Stars” while in high school.

“I put it away for a year, came back to it for a day, and put it away for another couple years,” Fleming said. “About three years ago, I got pretty serious about it and I have started a few others as well.”

He added his book focuses on a duck and his friends and story starts off with “questioning your place in the universe.”

Fleming then recited the introductory lines of his book, “The world is so big and you are so small. Where can we possibly fit into it all? Reach for the stars, the people all say. But why even try to when they’re so far away? But maybe you’re able to reach for your dreams. Your body can do so much more than it seems.”

The book progresses from there by pointing out things children do in their daily Reach-for-the-Stars-LM-1.jpglives that make a difference to people, he said.

He added he connects to the theme of his book because when he was growing up it took him a while to feel certain about himself.

“I feel like children are particularly vulnerable and need that affirmation and not only to get that affirmation from themselves, but to be affirming to others,” Fleming said. “That’s just an equally important message that I hope comes through in the book.”

Christa Whitten of Suffield, CT, illustrated the book. She said she also could relate to it.

“This is a basic yet powerful message that is especially important for children, but can benefit all of us to hear from time to time,” Whitten noted.

Fleming, who works as the director of Alumni Relations for Emerson College in Boston, said he education is a passion in his life.

“It’s always been a thread, but I really found my home in educating college students,” he explained. “I have my masters in college student personnel, which is the study of how college students learn and develop, and what do we want to equip them when they graduate.”

He noted he plans to finish a doctorate in higher education administration this summer.

“I love watching the process of people learn and evolve into something they didn’t think they could become,” Fleming said.

The duo has also partnered with Link to Libraries, a nonprofit volunteer organization that distributes books to more than 70 programs in Western Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Connecticut, Fleming said. The aim of the partnership is to donate copies of the book to programs Link to Libraries serves.

A launch party for “Reach for the Stars” is set for April 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Salmon Brook Park in Granby, CT. Nearly 100 donated copies of the book will be provided to Link to Libraries by local sponsors.  

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Link To Libraries, and we aspire to use Reach for the Stars to create a positive and lasting imprint on the world – particularly upon the lives of children,” Fleming said.

To register, donate copies, or purchase “Reach for the Stars” visit www.authorkevinfleming.com. The book will also be released April 5 through amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and other online book retailers.

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