U.S. Marine and First Generation Nigerian American Brings Inspiring Stories to Life for Children

This February, during Black History Month, Olaolu Ogunyemi debuts his third book Billy Dipper’s Time To Shine, a picture book for children ages 6 to 9 years old.

Quantico, VA – USA | January 27, 2022 – This February, during Black History Month, Olaolu Ogunyemi (pronounced OH-LA-OH-LOO OH-GUN-YEH ME) debuts his third book Billy Dipper’s Time To Shine, a picture book for children ages 6 to 9 years old. In this highly engaging story, Wade and his Dad discuss the story of Billy Dipper—the brilliant star who refuses to fade.

It’s Starliday in the celestial heavens, and Billy’s star will be seen from light years away. But when another star learns of Billy’s “spotlight” he becomes jealous and plays a trick on him. When Billy Dipper is faced with embarrassment and bullying, Wade comes to understand his own worth through the story. It’s a struggle Olaolu knows well.

Now a Captain in the U.S. Marines stationed in Quantico, the Louisiana native and Grambling State University graduate wasn’t always tough and disciplined. As a child, Olaolu was bullied because of his difficult to pronounce Nigerian name and his weight. It was his father—an immigrant from Nigeria– and his mother who helped Olaolu overcome numerous barriers growing up in Louisiana and attending college in the south. His father’s strength and his mother’s perseverance taught him the importance of family connections and inspired him to become the author of children’s picture books that teach life lessons.

His father also served as an inspiration, having overcome the challenging transition to America and attending college in Alabama, a stronghold for racism in the 1970s.

Themes, topics and stories Olaolu can discuss with your audience include:

* How to clean your room like a marine – and get a sense of accomplishment
* How an unusual name helped people remember him
* How discipline can help you accomplish more (Olaolu woke up at 5 a.m. to exercise before school)
* How to talk to others about race and issues of unconscious bias
* The value of doing work before play
* How to be a better storyteller by focusing on your children’s interests

Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine features bold graphics and fun facts about astronomy with “Continue the Conversations” questions that spark teachable and memorable moments.

“To our children, a ‘bully’ may be a mean person who makes fun of others. However, the bully in Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine can be any force or system that exists to highlight a person’s failures and demean their worth,” said the author. “The message in this book is that a person, ideology, or even a disability can impact our self-esteem. I hope this book gives power back to the reader by increasing self-awareness and help them through challenging circumstances.”

About the Author:

Olaolu Ogunyemi (pronounced first name: OH-LA-OH-LOO Last name: OH-GUN-YEH ME) is a first generation American of Nigerian heritage. He is an active duty U.S. Marine (rank: Captain) currently serving as a Communications Officer in Quantico, Virginia. Olaolu’ s military service has enabled him to travel the world. These experiences inform his writing. As the fifth of six children, he is intimately familiar with how Storytime can engage children and create loving and memorable family moments. He has been a teen mentor for 5 years and active duty military for ten years. His other books are Amazon best-seller, Crow From the Shadow (ages 6-9) and Horace the Horsefly (ages 2-5). Learn more about him and Parent-Child-Connect books at http://www.parent-child-connect.com.

About the Illustrator:

Joshua Ogunyemi (Josh O) is the author’s brother. He is a devoted husband, dad, mentor, author and entrepreneur. Despite losing a child, extended periods of unemployment and financial problems in part due to raising a child with special needs, he’s become a champion for others dealing with challenging situations. He is the author of the book Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do.

* Book: Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine
* Release Date: February 16, 2022
* Publisher: Parent-Child-Connect (P2C)
* ISBN: 978-1-7374927-4-0 (hardcover) IngramSpark – $22.98
* ASIN: B09KN4FLWZ (paperback) Amazon – $12.98
* ASIN: B09KTBM195 (eBook) Amazon Kindle – $2.99

Contact: Tina Koenig, [email protected] for review copies.

Press & Media Contact:
Tina Koenig
Parent-Child-Connect (P2C)
Quantico, VA
United States
+1 954-989-3338
http://www.parent-child-connect.com