Dave Matthews & Author Clete Barrett Smith Team Up For Disney-Hyperion
Goes to visit his mommy, she feeds him well, his concerns he forgets them, and remembers being small playing under the table and dreaming.”
Dave Matthews
I am not ashamed to admit it. There was a time when pretty much the only songs I listened to were penned by one Dave Matthews. His songs and words just spoke to me.
Lyrically, I believed he was among the best. And I still do. Certainly, I was not alone.
And that’s why I am psyched to see what he brings to the table as a fantasy author.
Dave Matthews: Fantasy Writer
Yesterday, EW.com posted about Matthew’s most recent writing project.
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Dave Matthews has teamed with acclaimed children’s author Clete Barrett Smith (Aliens on Vacation) for a middle-grade fantasy novel, EW has learned exclusively.
Titled If We Were Giants, the book follows a young girl who must confront her past mistakes before she can save her peaceful community from a gigantic threat, and reflects Matthews’ work as a humanitarian and environmentalist. Here’s the official synopsis:
“Kirra, a curious, agile, and outgoing girl, lives in an idyllic community hidden inside a dormant volcano. She and her father are the only two people allowed to venture beyond its walls. Kirra is in training to become a Storyteller like him, and together they travel from village to village spreading fearsome tales designed to keep outsiders away from their secret nest. One day, after hearing rumors of strangers called the Takers, Kirra leaves the volcano by herself, hoping to discover her own story. But she unknowingly leads the Takers back to her doorstep, and they rob her of everything she has ever held dear. A devastated Kirra is found by a boy named Luwan and adopted into his family, which lives among others high in the trees of a dense forest. Now quiet and withdrawn, Kirra hides her dark past from everyone and never wants to leave the safety of her tree-dwelling. Luwan, on the other hand, loves to explore. One day it leads to trouble: He is captured while spying on a group of strangers. The Takers have returned. To save the Tree Folk, Kirra must face her inner demons and summon all her storytelling to weave the most important tale of her life.”
The Importance of the Environment
Matthews is hardly a one-trick (trip) pony. His IMDB.com page is extensive. But Matthews likes to keep busy – especially if he can lend a voice to those looking to help the environment.
“Having spent my childhood exploring the forests of Virginia and time as an adult with the San people of South Africa, I really respect a life balanced with nature,” Matthews said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to be working with Clete and Disney Publishing to tell a story that focuses on the importance of the environment.”
Adds Disney-Hyperion editor-at-large Stephanie Owens Lurie, “It’s a joy for me to be working with Dave, and again with Clete, on this lovely story about overcoming loss, embracing community, and the importance of living in harmony.”
And Dave, himself, had something to add:
Be sure to check out the full EW.com article, which includes an excerpt. But before you go, sing along with me: