DECEMBER 15 • 2022 | 11

which is really exciting.
”
Along with sharing kindness 
and understanding what makes 
each of them unique, the 19 
young authors also discussed 
practicing gratitude and their 
goals for life. All these topics 
and more are highlighted 
throughout Life Lessons from 
Brilliant Detroit.

SHARING INSPIRATION 
WITH OTHERS
It was important for Gutman 
to create a book that was 
interactive.
“We made it more of an 
activity book so that kids can go 
in there and not only read what 
these children came up with for 
different life lessons, but also 
color in and write what their 
goals are,
” he says.
Gutman hopes that other 
children can look at the book 
as inspiration to pursue their 

own dreams, or even encourage 
them to write or be creative.
“They realize there’s nothing 
they can’t accomplish,
” he says 
of assisting young authors in 
getting published. “They start to 
live up to those goals.
”
To help children learn the 
value of being an author, 
Gutman and Brilliant Detroit 
hosted a book-signing event on 
Saturday, Dec. 10, in Detroit. 
There, the young authors had 
the chance to autograph their 
books.
They were also presented 
with a gift card for their work 
on the book — just like any 
other paid and published 
author. This, Gutman believes, 
teaches the value of being paid 
for one’s work at a young age, 
which kids can continue to 
carry into adulthood.
“They have pride,
” he 
explains. “Suddenly, the future 

is wide-open to them.
”
If the book is successful, 
Gutman, who has created five 
previous children’s books, hopes 
to produce Life Lessons from 
Brilliant Detroit on an annual 
basis.
“My hope is that we can 
replicate this and bring in 

more and more authors,
” he 
says, “and really expand the 
community of published young 
authors.
” 

Get your copy of the book at www.

gutcheckbooks.com/product-page/

life-lessons-from-brilliant-detroit. Learn 

more about Brilliant Detroit at https://

brilliantdetroit.org.

The young authors 
of Brilliant Detroit

Supported through the generosity of The Jewish Fund and the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Family Foundation.

 
 
 
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