About the Books
Three age-appropriate books have been written for young children to teach the power and impact of accepting differences in others and celebrating those differences. The book series will primarily serve as an E-book learning tool for children to develop a sense of understanding the power of diversity. Hank Leo, author of seven nationally-distributed books, (“Home When the Streetlights Come On”, “In Your Hands,” “The Toolbox,”) has penned the books as a gift to the project. Illustrations were provided by owner Karine Makartichan, Creative Director at US Illustrations. A special, original piece was developed for one of the books, “The Boy & The Tree,” by former Disney animator and current Creative Director of Kendu Films, Davy Liu. The iconic image developed by Liu is a one-of-a-kind depiction of Leo’s book, bringing to life the message of hope.
Meet the Author
Hank Leo, Jr. author to the heartwarming collection of stories with life lessons including ``Home When the Street Lights Come On,`` which takes a unique, funny, and endearing point of view on daily life in a small Upstate New York city. It is a collection of weekly life experiences that Hank had written as a guest columnist for The Oneida Daily Dispatch, a local newspaper. His second book, ``In Your Hands`` is a heartwarming children's book written from his dog's point of view on compassion and caring. ``God Called`` was released in 2013 and ``Return to Allen Park`` was released in 2014. Since the release of Hank's initial collection, he has taken his readers on an emotional journey through overcoming the loss of his father and the relationship they shared in ``The Toolbox`` as well as connecting spirituality with family and lifelong lessons of love and faith.
Disney Legend Davy Liu Lends Artistic Vision
Former Disney animator, Davy Liu brings his world-class artistry to the YMCA’s ``A Better Place`` Project, providing the graphic representation for the poignant children’s book, The Boy and the Tree. Drawing on his experience from legendary films like The Lion King and Mulan, Liu uses his signature ``Disney-quality`` visual storytelling to tackle complex themes of youth mental health, isolation, and healing. His illustrations breathe life into the story of a young boy who finds solace and wisdom through a friendship with a majestic tree, serving as a visual anchor for the YMCA’s global mission of peace and inclusion. By blending high-caliber animation aesthetics with a deeply compassionate message, Liu helps transform the project’s vision into a tangible, hopeful experience for children navigating a challenging world.
