Raleigh, North Carolina Jul 30, 2023 (Issuewire.com) - How much do Race, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Gender, and Age matter in our Culture?  To what effect?  Would you invite someone of a different race to a Christmas Party?  Becky did in this new Christmas Classic: "Sandy The Christmas Star, Folklore from the Beach."  In just 34 pages, this picture book taps some big topics.  Diversity, inclusion, adaptive play, compromise, friendship, bereavement, and cultural acceptance all cumulate in this 15-minute story to uplift and celebrate this Christmas season.  This book even keeps Jesus as "The Reason for the Season." 

"It is time to change the conversation in our culture from what divides us to what unites us," said author Diana June.  

Diana's father was a Naval Officer sent to serve in Charleston, SC, just a few years after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. She remembers singing "We Shall Overcome" at every school assembly.  Living in multicultural communities for much of her childhood, she is passionate that people are people; all that matters is how one acts. She said, "Our nation has challenged people of all races to be Civil since 1964, the year I was born.  I am starting to fear it will not happen during my lifetime."  

This folklore started with Ella Mae Marshall, Diana's mother.  Five generations of her family have now heard the story.  Diana said, "My mother asked me to publish the story of the Starfish who becomes the Star that lights the night to Christ's Birth, but I used my creative license to rewrite my childhood too."

The book starts with an invitation to a Christmas Party along the Atlantic Shore. The tale of Sandy, a starfish, is shared at the party.   Sandy has lots of friends that she enjoys in the ocean.  She dreams of becoming a star in the sky. She gets her wish on the night Christ is born.  Sandy remembers all of her friends as she transforms into a brilliant new Star to light the first Christmas night.  Sandy lights the way for the three wise men to visit Bethlehem, and she still lights the night sky.

Now you are invited to have your own Sandy Christmas party.  Open your heart to a variety of people in your community.  Share this story with them at a party, or send the book to friends and family this holiday season. It is available through Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other good booksellers or directly from the book website.

Diana June invites Youth Groups, Non-profit organizations, and Churches to ask for fundraising copies of "Sandy the Christmas Star."  She would be thrilled to help cities, towns, and any organization across the United States to have Sandy Christmas Parties.  Please contact her through the book website: https://sandythechristmasstar.com/, Email: AuthorDJune@gmail.com, or Call 623-755-3382.  Please request a review copy today.