by Jackie Nunnery Northumberland Middle School seventh grader, animator and illustrator
Jaivion Henderson recently teamed up with his aunt, author and Lancaster High School assistant principal Quintese Kenner, to create Odin, the Lonely Lion. The children’s book tells the story of a young lion struggling to make friends with other animals on the savannah and deals with lessons of kindness and forgiveness.
Kenner said she gave Henderson free rein to create the colorful animal characters and Savannah setting after she completed the writing process. “All of the illustrations, he developed on his own from just the storyline,” she said. The entire process, which he does in a digital format, took him “around a month to complete,” each illustration in his distinctive cartoon style.
“This project is extra special because it has helped my nephew receive positive attention and recognition,” said Kenner. “I want him always to remember that he is somebody, and he is somebody great. He has brought life to Odin with his illustrations, and he is now an inspiration to others. He should feel very accomplished.”
While this was their first time working on a book together, it won’t be their last. The two plan to team up again for book based on a poem Kenner wrote for Black History Month.
Odin, the Lonely Lion is available for purchase on Amazon