Patrice Karst Empowers Her Readers by Keeping It Simple

Once again, author Patrice Karst has wrapped a simple truth in a book pleasingly imaginative and subtly powerful. The former Palisadian will introduce her latest children’s book, ‘The Smile That Went Around the World,’ on Friday, January 15 at Kids Pajama Storytime, 6:30 p.m. at Village Books on Swarthmore. The story conveys the infectiousness of a smile and its magical ability as the universal language to convert its recipients to being open and receptive. Coached in the colorful world of illustrator Jana Christy, ‘The Smile’ begins with a mother and son, as with Karst’s first children’s book, ‘The Invisible String,’ a motif that reflects Karst’s experience with her own son when he was a little boy; he is now 18. ‘The Invisible String’ again focuses on a simple idea that we are all connected, and to visualize this truth, Karst uses the invisible string that connects one heart to another’s. ”Invisible String’ helps kids with any kind of loss, whether it’s parent-child separation at school or the death of an animal,’ Karst says. As with many creative, energetic people, Karst is ignited by the white heat of multiple ideas. In her case, she preaches the philosophy of ‘Keeping it Simple, Keeping it Real.’ In a recent article for Vision magazine, she describes the fad of spirituality as ‘watered down, sugary sweet, invested with a ‘holier than you’ aura.’ Whereas her everyday heroes are ‘those brave, wondrous and therefore interesting people who have a voice’those who tell us the truths of their lives, even the ugly parts.’ While all of this may sound pontificating, Karst is her own best representative, full of joy and a considerable sense of fun. She will read her book and allow the children in the audience to respond and add their tales to hers. Karst’s first book, ‘God Made Easy’ (published in 1995) has sold over 50,000 copies and has been translated into French, German, Italian and Dutch. A simple little primer, the book is an entertaining, user-friendly guide to the human condition. For more information, visit www.patricekarst.com. Lifestyle@palipost.com