In 2020, as Minneapolis grappled with the twin realities of pandemic isolation and civil unrest, South Minneapolis native Jocelyn McQuirter found herself observing a quiet but powerful story unfolding at home: the world through the eyes of her two-year-old son, Kaiden.
While the city experienced uncertainty and tension, Kaiden remained fully immersed in play, mesmerized by bubbles, colors, and the small wonders of everyday life. McQuirter began documenting these moments with photos and phrases, capturing her toddler’s curiosity and joy. Those early notes would eventually grow into her debut children’s book, “Biggest Rainbows in the Sky.”
Illustrated by Suryaa Rajan and inspired by Kaiden’s likeness, the book follows a day in the life of a young boy as he discovers the magic in his surroundings, from the levity of bubbles to the simple joy of play. The motif of bubbles, inspired by Kaiden’s distance-friendly activity with his grandmother during the height of the pandemic, symbolizes hope and lightness in a time defined by fear and uncertainty.
For McQuirter, the story is as much about her own childhood as it is about her son’s. “I loved going to the library and buying joke books,” McQuirter recalled. “I wanted to create a world that was less serious, one filled with play and energy. Writing has always been the place where I cultivate joy.”
Becoming a mother, she said, reawakened that sense of wonder. “From the moment my son entered the world, there was this elation I felt called to write about. Watching him grow brought me back to what childhood is supposed to be.”
“Amid so much loss, I wanted the world to remember how bright, bold, and built for joy kids can be.”
Raised in an entrepreneurial family, McQuirter drew on that spirit while navigating the world of self-publishing. She researched industry norms, learned about pacing and word count, and sought mentorship wherever she could, ensuring the book met the standards of children’s literature while remaining authentic to her vision.
“Biggest Rainbows in the Sky” launched locally on October 25 at Bichota Coffee in Minneapolis, drawing a surprising and enthusiastic crowd. Since then, McQuirter has spotted her book in barbershops, beauty salons, and hospital family rooms, spaces where Black families gather, heal, and pass on stories.
While the story emerges from McQuirter’s South Minneapolis experience, its themes of joy, play, and resilience resonate universally. The book also carries a deeper purpose.
“The book grew from witnessing the devaluing of Black life during the pandemic and unrest,” she said. “I kept asking myself, ‘What is your proximity to the Black child?’
Amid so much loss, I was observing my toddler’s joy in real time. I wanted the world to remember how bright, bold, and built for joy our children can be.”
Gratitude and ancestry are central to McQuirter’s journey. She honors forebears she never met in Africa, those who survived enslavement, fought for civil rights, and preserved cultural memory. She also celebrates family storytellers, including her uncle Myron and cousin Jasmine, whose own work in documentation and narrative inspired her path.
Through “Biggest Rainbows in the Sky,” McQuirter offers readers a lens into Black childhood filled with wonder, resilience and imagination. It is a book for families, communities, and anyone seeking to remember the power of play and joy, even in challenging times.
To learn more or purchase a copy, visit www.bolderjoce.com/shop.
Binta Kanteh welcomes reader responses at bkanteh13@gmail.com.