Close & Away

Close & Away is a children's book narrated by 7 year old Nevaeh about her family and how they commemorate the birthday of her older brother JJ, who passed away in infancy. The goal of Close & Away is to center the traditions of remembrance that help us understand and heal from loss. Nevaeh's questions and observations as her family prepares to celebrate another 19th of July helps to remind us that every one of us grieves and that no healing journey looks the same.

Kezia A. Snipe is an East Coast based writer, child advocate and poet. She has worked with children and youth in literacy intervention, outreach and education and psychosocial development and mentoring. Kezia's goal is to engage, educate and empower children and their families with her work.Ashley T. Johnson is a Baltimore, MD based artist and illustrator. Her work is bright and playful, capturing the essence of everyday people the way she's seen and experienced them, regardless of what's palatable for the general public. Ashley hopes that her work brings warmth and joy, helping us see a little bit of ourselves in each other despite our differences.