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Bailey’s Books was created during the publishing of Southern Grown, the autobiography of Dora Davidson who grew up as a sharecropper’s child in North Carolina.  Dora was the first elder who sat with our youth theater troupe and told her story over an over as the troupe grappled with recreating her life as improvisational theater.  Dora too was transformed by this experience and inspired to write out her life story, which slowly over two years evolved into our first publication–Spring 2009–and the birth of Bailey’s Books.

Southern Grown, besides being illustrated with Dora’s family photos also contains historical photographs of items some younger readers may no longer be familiar with:  an outhouse, still or churn for example.  The narrative captures a moment in American history that will soon no longer be living memory.  $10 plus shipping and handling

Big Top & The Blues, text and original song by Michael Hill and illustrations by Nina Norwood, is a children’s story about how a family copes when the father, a blues musician, is on the road.  This is Michael’s first attempt at children’s literature; a blues guitarist and lyricist, the story is a rendition of what took place when he was touring. For Nina, a Brooklyn born artist, the book became her first experience with the world of book illustration.   Big Top & The Blues with its accompanying CD containing a song written by Michael and his son Seth or “Big Top” is a great way to introduce younger children to the idea of story and song writing and how songs tell stories. $14 plus shipping and handling

Both books have educational merit and can be used with children and teenagers in a variety of forums.  Through Bailey’s Books we hope to continue to present the voices of our participants; to give them the opportunity to share their wisdom, life experiences and creativity.

Bailey’s Cafe’s 20th Anniversary Commemorative Poster

11 X 17, Full Color

$20, includes postage