The unique character and history of South Carolina’s Holy City are heralded in a vibrant children’s book, titled This is Charleston. The 35-page publication has quickly become a favorite among adults and youngsters since its December 2023 release.
Author Dawn Burns derived inspiration for her latest production from the scribe’s previous release of This is Nashville three years ago, after living and raising a family in Music City for nine-plus years.
The elementary and preschool teacher’s connection to Charleston began early in her childhood when Burns and her family moved to the Lowcountry from native Greenville. During those formative years, the married mother of two developed a deep-rooted affinity for Charleston’s coastal pageantry and southern charm.
And while her education and career took her to Clemson and later to Nashville, the 43-year-old Mount Pleasant resident never wanted her two children not to experience the opportunity of living in Charleston.
“Charleston is a beautiful place to visit; it’s a beautiful place to live,” said Burns. “You have lots of beaches here, but you also have a very diverse history and culture. We have an amazing food scene — you can’t beat some of our local restaurants and fresh seafood.”
Unlike most stodgy history books, which tend to be big without much in the way of art, This is Charleston showcases the wondrous pastels of Rainbow Row and other sites through the hand-drawn images of artist Candler Reynolds.
When taking on the project, Burns envisioned making her self-publishing book as inviting as possible to young, curious minds. As a result, the color-infused book is both informative and visually appealing by highlighting Charleston’s cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage rides and the Dock Street Theater, among other must-see attractions.
“I have a lot of people who say their kids love reading the books at night. I have one lady, she sent me a picture the other day; she said her child picked out the book and wanted to read that specific one.”
And while This is Charleston doesn’t go in depth on the featured venues of the popular and oft-visited city, it serves as guide for those with a hankering to explore.
As for the people of Charleston, Burns observed that the friendly locals exude a sense of hospitality, although she acknowledged how much the city has changed over the years.
“We have had a lot of people moving in from all over the place. So, it does feel a little more diverse than probably 25 years ago. I think the people are genuinely happy to be here, whether that is to live here or on vacation,” she added.
When Burns isn’t teaching preschoolers at Palmetto Christian School, she manages a website called The Nashville Mom and still visits the Tennessee city she recently relocated from. What’s more, the multi-faceted educator has also self-published coloring books, including one celebrating Fairhope, Alabama.
Down the road, Burns hopes to write a book centered on another of her cherished cities. Both of her previous releases have allowed her to realize the dream of combining her two passions of traveling and education for the benefit of others.
“One thing we love about being back is that we can get outside more here. In Nashville, it’s very rainy and wet, and cold during the winter,” she reflected. “Both are great places to live and I’m glad I was able to call both home.”
For more information on Burns and her portfolio, visit www.thenashvillemom.com.
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