The Adventure of River and Her Whoobie

Sharon Russell-Robinson was born and reared in the small farming town of Tchula, Mississippi, which is part of the Mississippi Delta and Blues capital of the World. She was always drawn to the creative side of life by performing in various song and dance talent competitions and became a local superstar, but her true talent was in her writing. She knew early in life her family Mantra was to be, “ To have what you never had before, you gotta do what you never done before.” She wrote her first unpublished short story in 3rd grade and her first play in 6th grade. She Published her first Poem in “America At The Millenium: The Best Poems and Poets of The 20th Century, now in the International Library of Poetry. She graduated with honors from S.V. Marshall High School and received her B.S. Degree in Mass Communications/Advertising & Graphic Design from the home of the World renowned Marching Band “THEE Sonic Boom OF THE South”, Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Sharon worked in her field of study for exactly (1) year, but fondly recalls finding her true calling in Human Resources for 25 Years.

Sharon loves every bit of the “Human” aspect of interacting with folk and family. She began thinking about writing her debut children’s book The Adventures of River and her Whoobie over 20 years ago as she watched her daughter grow. Her daughter inspired the idea, because of how she navigated through her insecurities, trials, and tribulations from childhood to adulthood. She also showed that when children utilize their imagination, they tend to grow in more ways than one can ever imagine and if fostered in a positive way, possibilities for a bountiful future are endless. She wants to share that it is ok for them to believe in the fantasy world if it taps into their creative side and view of the world because she believes imagination is the truest form of realism for one without the other is just a daydream.

Now, with the titles of Human Resources Professional, and more importantly, mother and especially “Madear” under her belt and living every fun-filled moment of the daily journey, she feels it is time to share her perspective with the world. The Title of Madear is a coveted title in Sharon’s family because her own Madear help rear her and she vowed to her that if she were ever given the chance, she would honor her in that manner. Writing and bringing children’s books to life with the aid of beautiful illustrations allows the world to see and understand the beauty of her past and how it shaped the artistry within her work today.

When Sharon is not writing and spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren during their many adventures, she enjoys martial arts, antique shopping, “mud riding” verry slowly, movies and traveling to beautiful places all over the world. One of her favorite things to say is that when life gives you lemonade, make lemons and watch life go “whoa”!!