13-Year-Old Boy Makes History By Publishing First-Ever Skin Care Book For Black Children

At national scale — Bron Echols, 13, made history by becoming the first author to publish a book on skin care for black children. Wash your “T” and close your eyeswhich he co-wrote with his mother, Patrice Tartt Chappelle, is an enjoyable and educational book intended to transform the way children, particularly black and brown children, view and practice skin care. Within weeks of the book’s publication, the duo also received a $2,000 grant to use toward the business.

Wash your “T” and close your eyes The book follows the story of a young boy named Bron, who begins his school day with a morning routine of washing his face and brushing his teeth. However, Bron soon realizes that his mother’s generic soap, water, and lotion aren’t enough to care for his teenage skin. Enter the magical MelanFairy, who teaches Bron the importance of taking care of his skin, starting with washing the T-zone of his face. MelanFairy’s mission is clear: to instill a love of their skin in all children and teach them how to care for it. By emphasizing the essential nature of skin care for children and providing a magical and relatable narrative, this book is poised to become a cornerstone of children’s literature and skin care education.

The book was featured on Reedsy.com/discovery and the reviewer said, “Loved it! This informative and exceptionally well-written story explains why and how to care for your skin, the body’s largest organ!”

Beautifully illustrated and packed with practical skin care tips, Wash your “T” and close your eyes offers a charming story that helps keep children’s skin healthy and hydrated all year round. Bron and Patrice aim to instill good skin care habits in young readers, demonstrating that taking care of your skin is crucial at any age, especially during the pre-teen years.

Bron highlights the uniqueness of their message by stating, “There are many books about the tooth fairy, some even about children loving and accepting their hair, but there is no children’s book that talks about, focuses on, and teaches proper skin care and the importance of taking care of your skin.”

Wash your “T” and close your eyes is available for purchase on Amazon

In addition to being history-making authors, Bron and Patrice are also the founders of MelanBrand Skin, a pioneering Black-owned skincare company.

About
Patrice Tartt Chappelle and Bron Echols, the visionary minds behind MelanBrand Skin, bring together their passion for skincare and dedication to nurturing young minds in Wash your “T” and close your eyesTheir unique perspective as a Black mother and son shines through in their mission to make high-quality skin care accessible and essential for Black and Brown children.

For media inquiries, to schedule an interview, or to request a copy of the book for review, please contact [email protected]