Alex Wilson’s New Book Celebrates Family, Memories, and Hometown Pride Welcome Back to St. Thomas is a heartwarming new children’s book by local author, Alex Wilson. “The book was a way to leave my mark for my son. I wanted to show him that if you put in the hard work and follow through with dreams, anything is possible,” Alex explained. Having always loved writing, she decided to channel that passion into a project that would not only introduce her son to the self-publishing process but also celebrate the city that holds so many of her cherished memories. Set in the future, the story follows Alex and her son as they return to St. Thomas after having moved away. Through their visit, she shares stories from her childhood, reflecting on the importance of staying connected to friends and family. “I’m telling my son about all my memories growing up in St. Thomas,” Alex says, “And reminding him to always stay in touch and come home to visit.” After spending time away from St. Thomas herself, Alex eventually returned, drawn back by the relationships that had shaped her life. “You don’t know what you’re missing until it’s gone. I’ve made friends all over, but there’s just nothing like being around people you’ve grown up next to,” she shares. The experience of raising her son alongside her childhood friends has reminded her of the importance of simple joys and close bonds. St. Thomas is more than just the setting for her book; it’s a place rich in history, art, and community spirit. Alex is proud to introduce her hometown to readers both near and far. “Our city is full of nostalgia and memories. Anywhere I’ve been, I’ve met people who know or have family in our once small town,” she remarks,
adding that St. Thomas has a strong sense of community that is central to her book’s theme of remembering your roots. One of Alex’s favourite places in the city is her parents’ backyard, where she enjoys watching her son explore the same space she once did. “The food isn’t bad there either!” she jokes. Another special spot is the elevated park, where she loves to catch a sunset. “Matt (the illustrator) made sure to include a pink and purple sky in the book, which was important to me.” The illustrations in Welcome Back to St. Thomas were created by Matthew Dunham, a tattoo artist at Stay True in St. Thomas. Alex praised Matthew’s ability to bring her ideas to life and capture the heart of the story. Copies of the book are available at Lake House Books in Port Stanley, We Got Creative in the Elgin Centre, Amazon, Indigo, and for loan from the St. Thomas Library. Alex also plans to attend local markets to connect with readers.
Hometown St. Thomas • November 2024 • Page 35
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