From My Circle to The Page: Writing What Community Gave Me
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
By Tomeko Brown
Growing up, I learned the importance of community. Whether it's the love of family, friends, teachers, or even strangers, a strong community helps shape us. It provides the support we need to grow, and it’s especially important for children to recognize those around them who help them to thrive and reach their full potential.
I was about eight years old when, just a few days after Christmas, my family’s home burned down. My brother, who was about four at the time, and I stood on our neighbor’s porch, watching as firefighters worked hard to control the flames. Unfortunately, we lost everything. All we had was the clothes we were wearing. That night, my family and I moved in with our great uncle to prepare ourselves for the long haul of rebuilding.
But that’s when I witnessed the true strength of the community. In a matter of 48 hours, it seemed like the support of family, friends, and total strangers came to the rescue. Bags of clothes, toys, household necessities, money—you name it—poured in, providing the strength and compassion we needed at that moment.
Yes, the material support made a huge difference, but it was the emotional support that mattered most. People came together to make sure we had what we needed and, more importantly, to remind us that we were not alone.
Looking back, I see how the kindness of others carried us through one of the hardest times in our lives. It’s a reminder that when everything else feels uncertain, the strength of the community can be the thing that keeps us going.
This experience, as well as others, is what brought me to this moment—a voice to keep uplifting the importance of community, especially to children, through storytelling. As a mom and a former educator, it’s important that children continue to understand the strength of the community-- the people who help them reach their goals, support them through challenges, and help them see their full potential.
One of my favorite books, both as a child and still today, is Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. It beautifully illustrates the values of compassion, friendship, and community. These same themes are at the heart of my recent book, An Instrument for Florenda. In it, we see the strong friendship between Lilly and Nate, who stand by Florenda and encourage her. We see the kindness of neighbors like Mr. and Mrs. Lyles and the unconditional love from her adopted mother. Together, these individuals help Florenda grow and achieve her dream of learning to play the clarinet. They were her community.
Both books show us that we don’t reach our goals alone. Whether it's a friend, a neighbor—or in Wilbur’s case, a spider—sometimes we all need a little help to become the best version of ourselves. And like the characters in these stories, we all have a community of, seen and unseen, who help us along the way.
That’s why I want young readers to connect with Florenda’s story in a real way. I hope they can see parts of themselves in the characters and recognize the community of people around them who are cheering them on and supporting their growth. Florenda’s journey is one many kids can relate to, and I hope it encourages them to keep going, even when things get tough.
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