Egyptian-born, former Montreal resident actor Christine Solomon has added many facets to her multi-faceted career: internationally-renown actor, diversity/inclusion activist, and entrepreneur (she recently launched a new line of skin rejuvenation products). And now she can add another: author.
Christine, who currently resides in Los Angeles, has recently released her very first book, a 32-page work which targets young readers between the ages of 3 and 8, called Odd Ed (Hill Weiser, $10.99).
The story focuses on Ed, an egg who looks a little different than his siblings (his shell is covered with spots), who goes on a series of mini adventures that brings him many important lessons of what it’s like to be different from the other eggs, yet become proud of how unique he is.
“I have never written a kids’ book, but I was so happy that I did it,” said Christine during a recent phone interview. “I have always loved children, and know people who have kids of their own. So I figured I would write a cute story that teaches kids a lot of interesting things that would serve them later in their lives.”
One of her motivations to write the book was to have something to engage herself during the lockdown that resulted from the COVID pandemic. “I had a lot of time on my hands, and I got bored binge watching a lot of TV series and movies. So I decided to create a book that would have a signature message,” she said. “The text that I wrote was short, sweet and simple, which is the best way to write for kids. I also thought what kind of story I wanted to write, so I turned to the books that I liked to read when I was a kid, especially the ones that were so charming to me.”
The genesis for both the character’s name and being came about from two interesting sources. The name “Odd Ed” was based on a voice exercise that Christine took in drama class that helped her learn about phonetics, which was “Ed is an odd egg up on an eave”. The decision to have Ed be an egg with spots on its shell was based on research she conducted at a number of lakes in U.S., and found in Lake Michigan pebbles that closely resembled the spotted pattern that Ed possessed. “Those pebbles that I discovered for Odd Ed’s look also helps to bring up the conversation about people who have issues with skin problems and they shouldn’t be judged on the way they look,” she said.
And Christine credits the illustrations of artist/illustrator Anastasia Balobanova for vividly bringing out the messages she wanted to convey with the story of Odd Ed. The two worked together on the book since March of last year, and was amazed by the superior quality of Anastasia’s illustrations that helped to make the book a great bedtime story that also helps both parents and children think about the issues that are brought about.
Speaking of messages and lessons, Christine hopes that two vital lessons will be learned from reading Odd Ed.
“First of all, I hope the book teaches that everyone of us is unique, and that it is our differences that allow us to succeed in life. To be kind to one another and to be supportive of one another. And above all, to love yourself,” she said.
“Second, I wish to instill in youngsters a love of reading, cleaning their rooms, watering plants, and caring for the environment. I went to great measures to present as much information as possible in order to teach them new things they may not be aware of.”
And Christine is not stopping there. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm has transcended into two new projects that are waiting in the wings. Besides an upcoming French language version of Odd Ed, there is currently a second children’s book in the works called Wishing Upon A New Moon, which is scheduled for publication sometime this year, and deals with the subject of children having to go under a lot pressure in order to strive for perfection.
“I was constantly aiming for perfectionism as a child, and I enjoyed working alone. As I grew older, I realized that there is beauty in everything and that it is vital to understand an accept things that are beyond our control,” she said. “Furthermore, rather than working alone, collaborating with others may help us achieve better achievement.”
As well, the entrepreneurial side of Christine Solomon will be revealed later this year with “Aprem”, her own line of skincare products that she has been working on for nearly four years. The name of the brand is based on the French word for afternoon (après midi), plus the fact that she prefers to have her facials done in the afternoon.
“Aprem is a clean beauty brand that takes a straightforward and simple approach to skincare, backed up by scientific research and natural ingredients,” she said. “We’ll be open as possible about the ingredients we use and the values we hold.”
To purchase a copy of Christine Solomon’s book Odd Ed, go to www.hillweiser.com; it’s also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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