CHCA Founders’ Campus Principal Steve Sideris, collaborating with
alum artist Charleigh Wright ’24, writes What Did You Say, Jose?
when modern picture books don’t say quite enough.
By: Avery Kaufman ’26, Student Writer
“WORDS HAVE POWER.”
Steve Sideris, CHCA’s Upper Elementary Principal, reminds us of this in an era where media and information are so readily available, even to children. In recent years, with the rise of internet usage and streaming services, Principal Sideris noticed the worrying issue of children stumbling across language or concepts in movies, tv shows, and music that parents are unprepared to discuss. Having taught in a classroom setting for nearly 17 years, he is aware of the shortage of books that teach heavier topics in a kid-friendly way. His main purpose for writing What Did You Say, Jose? was to gently open the door for that conversation.
Fueled only by his desire to create an educational tool for teachers and parents, having no previous experience in the publishing industry, Principal Sideris jumped right into the writing process. He learned firsthand from his children and students that kids have a tendency towards imitation. “Kids will repeat anything—it makes them feel cool and grown up,” he explains, “which reminded me of my stepmother’s pet parrot, Jose’la.” Both, he shares, repeat or “parrot” anything and everything that people say around them. And thus José was born—a little parrot with a big mouth.
What Did You Say, Jose? follows Russell and Malli—siblings inspired by Sideris’ own children—and, of course, Jose the parrot, as they come to realize that their words matter—and that sometimes “parroting” everything said around them can bear consequences. However serious and important this concept of discernment is, the book ends with hope, love, and a lesson learned.
BRINGING THE STORY TO LIFE
A children’s book is not complete without pictures! When looking for a candidate to truly animate the concept of What Did You Say, Jose?, Principal Sideris turned to the CHCA faculty and found that Charleigh Wright ’24—CHCA alum and daughter of Mara Wright, a fourth grade teacher at CHCA—was perfect for the job. An avid member of the arts community, specifically visual arts, Wright exclaims, “I was totally onboard. I was just really excited because this was the first professional project I would ever be doing!”
Currently attending Ringling College of Art and Design, Wright has always had a passion for the arts throughout her life attending CHCA and is now pursuing a career in visual design. In fact, she is actively working on designs for album covers, YouTube graphics, and similar commissions!
Charleigh Wright can be contacted on Instagram @bumblel3igh.jpg for commissions.
CHARLEIGH WRIGHT ’24
CHCA Alum
What Did You Say, Jose? can be purchased on Amazon.
Wright admits that Principal Sideris’ offer challenged her creatively. Most of her recent work has been either hyper-realism or graphic design, so the task of conveying the vibrant, playful cartoons of this children’s book required her to embrace the vast versatility of being a visual artist. To gain her footing, Wright drew inspiration from the art that surrounded her in her own childhood, in her favorite Disney movies like Tangled or video games like Cuphead, which utilize saturated color palettes and soft-looking characters. Although she had to create outside her comfort zone, Wright rose to the challenge and received a satisfying reward. The art industry is competitive, but as Principal Sideris exclaims, “she’s already published!” What Did You Say, Jose? is a spectacular diving board for this young aspiring artist.
WHAT DOES JOSE SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The passion Principal Sideris and Wright have for this project goes beyond a simple way to solve a problem in the classroom or spark a career as an artist. “I didn’t do this for money,” Principal Sideris admits, expounding upon the fact that he wrote this story to speak to kids and build a strong foundation for their lives. It is evident in the way he leads CHCA’s Upper Elementary school that he loves the kids he works with and only desires the best for them; this book is a way to enter their world and assure that kids are going through life in the safest, healthiest way possible. This purpose connects with Wright as well. Growing up in the scholastic world alongside her mother kindled Wright’s passion for education; she avows that it was “cool to be doing something for my community because the book would be going to CHCA, but also to other schools in the area, and education is also something I am really passionate about, of course because of my mom!” Because the original purpose of What Did You Say, Jose? was simply, as Principal Sideris mentions in his dedication, to “help children navigate a difficult world,” he admits that he doesn’t have any current plans to continue a publishing career. However, he wholeheartedly believes that if the need for a children’s book about a different difficult topic arises, he will rise to the challenge once more. CHCA proudly plans to incorporate What Did You Say, Jose? into the classroom curriculum for the younger grades for years to come. This charming children’s story and the wholesome story behind its creation changes the way educators and parents display the troubles of this broken world to the next generation, yet still reminds all of us of the hope and love left in it.
