Bron Echols has made history as the first author to publish a book about skincare for Black children.
‘Wash Your “T” and Close Your Eyes’, which he co-authored with his mom, Patrice Tartt Chappelle, is a delightful and educational book set to transform how children, particularly Black and brown children, perceive and practice skin care. A few weeks after publishing the book, the duo was also awarded a $2,000 grant to use towards the business.
‘Wash Your “T” and Close Your Eyes’ follows the story of a young boy named Bron, who starts his school day with a morning routine of washing his face and brushing his teeth. However, 13-year-old Bron soon realizes that generic soap, water, and his mom’s lotion are not enough to care for his adolescent skin.
Enter the Magical MelanFairy, who teaches Bron the importance of proper skincare, starting with washing the t-zone of his face. The MelanFairy’s mission is clear: to instil a love for their skin in all children and educate them on how to care for it. By highlighting the essential nature of skincare for children and offering a relatable and magical narrative, this book is poised to become a cornerstone in children’s literature and skincare education.
The book was featured on Reedsy.com/discovery and the reviewer had this to say: “Loved it! This informative and exceptionally written story explains why and how to care for your skin, the body’s largest organ!” Beautifully illustrated and rich with practical skincare tips, ‘Wash Your “T” and Close Your Eyes’ offers a charming narrative that helps keep children’s skin healthy and hydrated year-round.
Bron and Patrice aim to instil good skincare habits in young readers, demonstrating that taking care of their skin is crucial at every age, especially during the pre-teen years. Bron emphasizes the uniqueness of their message, stating: “There are plenty of books about the tooth fairy, even some about children loving and embracing their hair, but there are not any children’s books that talk about, focus on, and teach proper skincare and the importance of taking care of your skin.”
‘Wash Your “T” and Close Your Eyes’ is available for purchase on Amazon. In addition to being history-making authors, Bron and Patrice are also the founders of MelanBrand Skin, a Black-owned pioneering skincare company.
