Sweetums is a character in a local children’s book. For reals, y’all

Guess what, y’all? Sweetums has not only written a new book (the collection of legends, due out in a couple of months, is his solo effort after we co-wrote “Alabama Scoundrels” in 2014), he has also become a book character!

Maryann Balbo, a local woman, and her third-grade son, Mason, co-authored a children’s book called “Date Night with Mom.” The book details a real-life outing in which the two stop by a book signing at a local shop, which just happened to be a signing for “Alabama Scoundrels.” (I had a severe migraine that night and had to bow out). Any-hoo the little boy had his photo taken with Sweetums. Later, a wonderful illustrator, Heather Legg-Click, used it to create a drawing for the book.

A cartoon Sweetums. How cute is that?

Some info on the book is below the photos

wil 4 — From “Date Night with Mom,” a children’s book by Maryann and Mason Balbo and Heather Legg-Click. The guy on the left is an illustration of Sweetums, who signed a book for Mason.

wil book 3 — From “Date Night with Mom,” a children’s book by Maryann and Mason Balbo and Heather Legg-Click. The guy on the left is an illustration of Sweetums, who signed a book for Mason.

wil book cover — Cover of “Date Night with Mom,” a children’s book by Maryann and Mason Balbo and Heather Legg-Click.

From a press release:

“Date Night With Mom” is a true story told by a then 7-year old student about how his Mom surprised him after school and took him on a “date.” In the midst of the spontaneous fun, they are able to spend quality time together eating chicken wings and playing video games. The simple story from a child’s perspective promotes a powerful message. What children crave most from parents is their time. …

Scenes in the book are based in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. They include Holy Spirit Regional School, Harrison Brothers Hardware, UG White, Pints and Pixels, Green Street Market, Court House and the parking garage.”

The book can be purchased on Amazon or the authors’ Facebook page.

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