Many people often look at the career of Jessica McKay and say it must’ve started when she was an English major at Spelman College. Or when she pursued her masters in English Education at Columbia University Teachers College. Or maybe she began writing children’s books when she became a mother to her three wonderful children. 

But the truth is, Jessica’s love for freedom and imagination began as a young child herself on a small street in Washington DC between two streets named Butternut and Dahlia. Within this block, Jessica was surrounded by boundless love, love of her family, her neighbors, and even the city at large whose unspoken message to her was, “Dream Big! You can do whatever you want.” 

The seemingly endless summers with cousins and neighbors playing inside and outside of this house between Butternut and Dahlia, and year-round childhood fun with her built-in best friends (her two siblings) are among her fondest memories. 

It is now Jessica’s mission to bottle up that joy, play, freedom, imagination, daydreaming without regard of limitations for all children. Through books, school visits, and other future beautiful derivative projects and experiences, Butternut &  Dahlia is sure to put a smile on children’s faces, plant a seed in their minds, and sparkle a little (or a lot!) of extra twinkle in their eyes.