Angelo Menefee

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Antonik

Harrington Public Library
110 E. Center Street
Harrington, DE 19952
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HARRINGTON — Angelo Menefee, a veteran and children's book author, will bring his books and experiences to storytime at 10:45 a.m. March 13 at Harrington Public Library.

Mr. Menefee and his wife of 35 years, Karen, are new to Harrington, but they have lived in Delaware for years.

He will have books available for sale during storytime, but Mr. Menefee said he plans on donating one of each of his books to the library. His books are “Billy's First Summer Vacation,” “Billy's First Summer Job,” and “With The Help of Love, I Can Do Anything.”

“I put my heart into this because our youth is important,” he said. “When I was a youth, friends of mine at the time were getting shot over neighborhood stuff. And I saw all kinds of stuff when I worked in the hospital, too. We had kids getting hit by stray bullets at eight years old. Kids need to know they have better options and people who care about them.”

Mr. Menefee knows first-hand how tough childhood can be for some kids and said that supportive adults are key to overcoming those obstacles.

“Growing up, we had the gangs, kids stealing because they didn't have what they needed at home and kids acting out to get attention. They needed support. I was lucky enough to find the PAL program (Police Athletic League) at 11 years old. That's when I started boxing. They helped me along the way; that's the way it was with them. I still had to walk past the gangs and the corner crowds at home, but my definition of living was more powerful.”

Finding those supportive adults in his life while living in north Philadelphia was the turnaround he needed as a child, he added.

“I realized I had choices. I chose to make my mom and dad happy. Soon, the older people on the neighborhood would give me the ‘attaboy’ when I would bring home trophies or when they knew I did a great job. I learned to not be a follower because that would harm my parents. That support that I got from PAL, my parents and the older folks in my neighborhood meant a lot. It kept me going,” Menefee said.

It's the same supportive environment he hopes to encourage for families near his new Kent County home by engaging them through storytimes and school- aged activities.

“I want to be able to leave a footprint in my life. By writing these books and engaging young readers, I'm leaving a mark, a stone that can be read that affects children and their families that comes from my heart,” he said.

Mr. Menefee's books, uniquely illustrated with coloring pages so children can interact with his writing while reading, feature life lessons and encouragement and have been honored by school leaders and government officials. He has received accolades from former presidents of the United States for his work.

“It's been a neat journey. I love knowing that I can make an impact for kids so they hopefully don't have to go through what I went through and I know its worth. Years ago, the Delaware Senate agreed to have my books placed in three different school districts upstate. I want to bring those same lessons to the Kent County area now, too,” he said.

To sign up for storytime, call 302-398-4647 in advance.