Local 6-year-old publishes his first book

Ethan Chapman loves to read - so therefore, it only made sense that he would publish his own book.

“I chose to write a book because I love to read,” said Chapman.

What started as class discussion has since become a published conclusion - at age six, Ethan Chapman is a published author of his very own book, The Important People In My Community.

“In class, we have been learning about the parts of the book,” said Chapman. “We have been learning about the key details, the main topics, and the characters.”

Chapman says that those discussions with his teacher, Ms. Jeffers with Florida Virtual School, ultimately led him to want to put his new knowledge into practice and write his own book.

All he had to do was find a story to tell.

“One day, we were outside and one of the sanitation workers came by,” said Youri Chapman, Ethan’s mother.

Youri Chapman encouraged her son, Ethan and Edward, to approach and thank the worker for his role in the community.

“What we are trying to teach them is that everyone is important, everybody’s jobs are important,” said Youri Chapman. “We are trying to teach them that everyone plays a role.”

Youri Chapman said that is what inspired her son to write his book.

“I chose to write this book to show that everybody is important and we should appreciate each and everyone,” said Ethan Chapman. “It doesn’t matter who they are.”

The premise of his book is that all careers have meaning, and the people who hold them are important - whether a teacher, a doctor, a pastor, or a sanitation worker.

“I picked some of the characters because people didn’t appreciate them - like Harry the Sanitation Worker.”

Chapman says in the book, Harry is teased by others who don’t believe his job was meaningful - Chapman wanted his readers to see how important all jobs are when it comes to running a community smoothly.

“If he didn’t pick up the trash, the streets would stink, people would get sick, and there would be trash everywhere,” said Ethan. “That’s why I think he is just as important as the other people, everywhere.”

Aside from his teacher helping inspire him to want to write a book, Ethan said he couldn’t have done it without his family.

His parents helped him brainstorm and with the publication process, and his brother, Edward, helped by illustrating the book.

“He wanted it to be a book for kids, by kids,” said Youri, so they chose to let all creative aspects - writing and illustration - be done by the boys.

It took Ethan a few months to complete his book, but afterwards, Youri Chapman says they started looking at publishing options.

“It wasn’t as hard as we thought it would be. It wasn’t stressful at all,” she said.

A friend with a connection in publishing helped make the publication possible, Youri Chapman said.

“It was really good to work with someone who already knew about publishing,” she added. “It just flowed - it was a blessing.”

Youri Chapman adds that the book, since its publication in December of last year, has been well-received.

There is now a copy in both the Leon and Gadsden County library system, and people keep buying Ethan Chapman’s debut book.

“People have been buying the book. We’ve gotten a lot of support from family and friends,” said Youri. “It’s been good.”

While publishing a book at six-years-old is uncommon, Youri Chapman says it is all a part of her and her husband’s plan to set their sons up for future success.

“I told them they could be anything they want to be,” Youri said.

While Ethan is the author of the family, he isn’t the only successful youth in the Chapman household - his older brother, Edward (who helped Ethan by providing the book’s illustrations, is also up-and-coming.

“I run my own business,” said Edward, who sells apparel, teaches drum lessons, and plays drums at events.

When it comes to illustrating another book, however, Edward says he ‘might’ consider it…. “Maybe.”

“I want them to be an example to other kids - you don’t have to wait until you are older to do things,” Youri adds.

Likewise, the whole family itself works to build success together - she and her husband run an educational YouTube channel ( The Chapman Family’s Music & Educational Channel ), and are always looking for ways to provide outreach and education, mingled with entertainment.

While his brother isn’t certain if he will remain an illustrator - Ethan Chapman says a quick “yes” when asked if he plans another book; Ethan is already working on a more autobiographical style book as his next project.

He also has a word of advice for all other authors - young or old: “Never give up, write down your idea, ask for the help you need, and keep on going until you reach the finish line!”

The Important People In My Community can be purchased through Amazon or through CashApp ( $EthanTheAuthor ).

Ashley Hunter - editor@gadsdencountytimes.com

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Local 6-year-old publishes his first book

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Gadsden County holds first Hazardous Materials Day for 2022

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