I wrote The Blocks Come Out at Night because I MADE A PROMISE to my children. It is the culmination of a 7-year journey. In 2012, I left a career on Wall Street to pursue my passion for working with children. (Shout out to my family for encouraging me to take the leap!) I started a business that taught STEM-focused after-school programs and summer camps. I personally witnessed the unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity these children possessed. I wanted to find a way to impact more children than just the ones our organization reached. I began to investigate and discovered all of the same headlines you've probably seen about the importance of STEM. All of the research seemed to echo the same message - early exposure to STEM was the key to driving continued interest. What better way to do that than through a children's book?
My proverbial light bulb moment happened in 2017 when I was putting my three children to bed. As dads sometimes do, I invented a bedtime story. In it, building blocks came to life and created a magnificent structure. Over time this story evolved and became the foundation for The Blocks Come Out at Night. As time passed, my three children (6, 8 and 10) asked me to make it into a "real" book. They were incredibly persistent and I'm thankful to finally fulfill the promise I made to them.
This series is aimed at girls and boys ages 4 to 9. The books introduce fun engineering concepts through fast-paced and engaging storytelling. There is also a clever cultural element woven into each book that will have young readers eager to learn about the world. I wrote the words, but the pictures really help the story come to life. They were created by a brilliant Canadian illustrator, Keenan Hopson.
The Blocks Get Lost in India
Lloyd and Sonia are two building blocks on a mission to save their friends from the dreaded Garcia Family Yard Sale. But when they arrive in India, something goes terribly wrong. Will the tough little blocks from Philadelphia find their way home in time to save the day?
The Blocks Save New York City
Under the streets of New York City, inside an abandoned subway station, is the headquarters for a secret organization. As the Global League of Block Engineers welcomes its two newest members, an engineering emergency interrupts the celebration. Join Lloyd and Sonia as they race to save one of New York City's most famous landmarks.
I am passionate about unleashing the natural curiosity children possess. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Orleans, I grew up with a thirst for knowledge that led me to Harvard and The Wharton School. I left a 12-year career on Wall Street to start a business that taught STEM-focused programs to children ages 4 to 14. With my debut book, I am excited to share my love of learning and travel. When I'm not exploring the world, I am in Philadelphia conducting experiments and making a mess in the kitchen with my wife and three children.
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Check out this cool time-lapse video of Keenan Hopson illustrating The Blocks Come Out at Night.
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