Sat., Sep. 20, 11 AM - 1 PM | 189 Hollow Road Skillman, NJ

Join us for the official launch of Growing Up True, SSAAM’s first children’s book inspired by the True family—African American landowners and farmers who helped shape the Sourland Mountain region. 

Event highlights:
 

• Story Circle:  Hear the book out loud under the trees!

• Hands-On Activities:  Write poems, make art inspired by the land, and design interview questions to explore your own family stories. Plus dig into history, literally, in our heritage garden!

• Meet the Storytellers:  Book signing with author Ryan Jillian Kilpatrick, illustrator Sudesna Samanta, graphic designer Qurra-tul-Ayn Saleem, and the real Patricia "Patty" True Payne herself!

• Celebrate Libraries: Meet representatives from the Mercer County (Hopewell branch) and Somerset County (Montgomery branch) Library Systems and the independent Hopewell Public Library, and get your own library card!

• Eat up:  Enjoy blackberry cobbler and an optional foraging walk on the historic grounds.
   

This event is designed for children ages 4 and up, but all are welcome.

Ticket Price: $30/family (includes 1 copy of the book and cobbler!)

This book was made possible by grants from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.