Marlon A. Wright releases children's book on empathy and forgiveness

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Nearly two decades after a hard season in his life reshaped how he saw parenting, Marlon A. Wright has turned that experience into a children's story about compassion and making peace with others.

The result is The Courage And Kindness Chronicles: The Day We Learn to Forgive, Wright's debut book, which was recently published. The story follows Emily, Andre and Maya as it introduces young readers to the value of kindness, concern for others and forgiveness.

"In today's world, where material things often seem to matter more than emotional connection, I do think children need more guidance when it comes to forgiveness, empathy, and understanding people," said Wright. "We teach children how to compete, but not always how to heal. This book is my small contribution toward changing that conversation."

Wright said those values were shaped during his early years in Westmoreland. He later moved to the United States in the 1990s, spent 14 years in the military, and went on to work as an Air Traffic Control instructor.

He said one of his hardest life chapters came while raising his son on his own.

"The Day We Learn to Forgive' actually began back in 2009 during one of the lowest points in my life. At the time, I was a single parent raising my son, trying to navigate life, responsibility, pain, growth, and fatherhood all at once," Wright recalled.

"Writing became therapy for me. It started as a deeply personal story inspired by the real moments, struggles, lessons, and emotional challenges my son and I experienced together over the years."

The manuscript changed over the years before Wright drafted the completed version in 2025. He said The Courage And Kindness Chronicles: The Day We Learn to Forgive will open a planned 10-book series.