ABOUT THE BOOK: When Brooklyn native, Makayla Mac aka "Kayla" is ripped from her Double Dutch dreams and sent to North Carolina for the summer, she believes she’s going to have the worst summer ever. But after creating new friendships, a hodge-podge Double Dutch team and meeting a really cute boy, Kayla has the time of her life. A perfect story for fans of friendship, sports, and the spirit to dig in when the tough gets going.
THE EDITORIAL REVIEWS ARE IN AND THE VERDICT IS...
"A fun, well-paced read bubbling with energy and charming, diverse characters." —Kirkus Reviews
"Flawless descriptions make visualizing signature moves easy and keep readers hooked." —Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
"Keep this on the shelf next to other fierce sports novels, like Victoria Jamieson’s Roller Girl." —Booklist
LOVE DOUBLE DUTCH! has received 4 stars on GOODREADS and AMAZON BOOKS!
Love Double Dutch! is an inclusive and diverse book in which all middle-grade girls can relate.
About the Author
Doreen Spicer-Dannelly is best known for her work as a Writer/Producer for Disney Channel's critically acclaimed show, "The Proud Family" and the record-breaking TV movie, "Jump In!" She began her career on shows Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin. Spicer-Dannelly's latest credits include, Onyx Monster Mysteries (Amazon) Motown Magic (Netflix) and the international series, The Wannabes. Spicer-Dannelly lives in Los Angeles, California and continues to produce family entertainment for children around the world.
ABOUT tHE PreSentATION
In a presentation, Doreen shares a brief story of her background and why she made a conscious decision to pursue a career in entertainment writing. In short, she felt there was a void of shows and movies involving and highlighting children of all colors, especially young black girls. After attending the HBCU, Morgan State University, Doreen left her hometown, New York City for Hollywood with hopes of adding diverse and inclusive stories to the landscape of Hollywood. To date, Doreen has successfully created shows that have reached and inspired children around the world and continues to produce projects under the auspices of her company, SpiceRack Productions Inc. Doreen's presentations encompass stories of triumph over adversity, the reasons and willingness to forge a path when there isn't one. The Love Double Dutch! Presentation is most certainly youth empowerment driven.
The Curriculum is NOW available!
In partnership with Dr. Keitha Burnett, a National Board-Certified Teacher, a Love Double Dutch! Middle-School Curriculum Guide was developed to make the book an educational tool in the classroom. The curriculum aligns chapter assessments with the US Common Core State Standards, then uses multiple-choice questions focusing on key story ideas, details, craft and structure, to inspire critical thinking amongst students.
Upon request and with proof of purchase of twenty books or more, educators and organizations can use the curriculum as a teaching tool and a way to further engage their students. Please send inquiries to bookings@spicerackproductionsinc.com
OTHER CLASS OFFERINGS
- "HOW TO START WRITING YOUR FIRST BOOK" - An introduction to writing your wildest ideas, dreams or just your thoughts. For children, writing a book may be an aspiration but getting starting is the daunting part. Doreen offer and inspires them to get started in the most easiest and fun way.
- "HOW TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS" - Children are encouraged by "follow your dreams" but sometimes they don't know where or how to start. Doreen offers the kids her story of how she went from humble beginnings to creating the change she only hoped for as a child.
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Spicer-Dannelly loved jumping double-Dutch. She wrote Love Double Dutch! with intentions of reintroducing the favorite past-time, and now competitive sport, to children who have never jumped before. So far, so good!
THE LOVE DOUBLE DUTCH BOOK TOUR WAS A BLAST! Author Doreen Spicer-Dannelly was given a warm welcome in six cities to connect with kids of all ages! She was excited to make her first stop at the Brooklyn Public Library, Stone Avenue, which she frequented as a child. Then Doreen enjoyed a huge book launch event at the Brooklyn Children's Museum with Sisters Uptown as the most gracious vendor. Other stops included:
- NEW YORK: Books of Wonder, Powerhouse Books
- Philadelphia PA: Barnes & Noble
- Charlotte, NC: Parkroads, Coulwood STEM Academy and Bruns Academy
- Atlanta, GA: Little Shop of Stories
- Tampa, FL: Barnes & Noble
- Los Angeles, CA: Barnes & Noble , The Grove
- Doreen also attended Double Dutch events throughout the summer promoting the book and engaging everyone in the joy (and fitness) of jumping double Dutch.
PAST APPEARANCES & SCHOOL VISITS 2019-20
- BAM Festival, West Palm Beach, FL 3/7/20
- Bruns STEM Academy, Charlotte, NC
- Lowell Elementary School, Long Beach, CA
- Children's Books and Authors Festival, Philadelphia, PA
- Jump For Jordan, Jersey City, NJ
- Sisters Uptown Bookstore, Harlem, NY
- Somerset Palms Academy, Miami, FL
- Children's Media Association, USC, CA
- Neema's Purse Org., Charlotte, NC
- African American Children's Book Fest, Baltimore, MD
- Rekindling the Wonder of Books for all Children - CRA, Sacramento, CA
- Northern Parkway School, Queens, NY
- CEJJUS Institute, Nyack, NY
CHECKOUT THE VIDEO FROM OUR LAUNCH
Doreen Spicer-Dannelly is repped by Regina Brooks, Serendipity Literary Agency.
Learn more about Doreen here.
Credits:
K. Hickerman Photography