After more than a decade of working in education, coaching, and now at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, Jelissa Thomas, the Brooklyn-based educator and public servant, adds another title to her bucket: author.
Deeply inspired by the little moments of watching her children grow up, Thomas’s first book Just One Small Word, illustrated by Farimah Khavarinezhad, was published through WonderUs Tales Publishing, a company newly founded by Thomas. This title is currently the publisher’s only book available for purchase.
Prior to her current role as a senior project manager at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, specifically under the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, Thomas was a teacher and coach for the Equity Project Charter School for many years. Her venture into publishing children’s books feels like the perfect next step that marries her experiences in education, youth development, and public service.
“I’ve spent over a decade helping children and families feel seen, valued, and inspired. Writing this book felt like a natural extension of that work, helping families nurture pride and belonging through stories that reflect their children’s lives and identities,” she said.
Just One Small World follows the story of a young girl, Taylor, as her parents witness small milestones of her growing up. When Taylor turns two, she learns the word “No” and would use it as the response to everything, encouraging her parents to ask her grandparents for advice. When Taylor finally stops saying “No” to everything, her new word becomes “Why.”
This mostly lighthearted story also highlights rewarding moments of growing as a parent while seeing your child grow into themselves. Thomas wanted this book to showcase the everyday trials of parenthood and the lasting meaning of family connections and patience. Thomas affirms the personal space this book came from when she dedicated this book to “Taylor,” and then again at the end, in the author's note, when she affirms an incredible joy for this book to be dedicated to Taylor.
“If I had to choose the journey of life all over again, I would always choose it with you by my side,” the last page writes.
This is Jelissa Thomas's first book, but as the founder of this new publishing house, more projects are slated to be on their way to Brooklynites.
You can purchase a copy of Just One Small Word here.
