Author Janine Risk reads her debut children's book, Peppercorn & the Magic of Kindness, and signs copies at BookPeople.
Janine Risk will be at BookPeople on Saturday, October 17, reading her debut children's book, Peppercorn and the Magic of Kindness: Small Acts Make Big Hearts. After the reading, she'll stay to sign copies.
The book centers on Peppercorn, a spirited Jack Russell terrier who discovers how even the smallest acts of kindness can ripple outward and strengthen a whole community. It's written for children ages 3 to 6, and the story blends warmth and simplicity with thoughtful design to encourage empathy, sharing, and meaningful connection. If you've got little ones in that age range, it's the kind of thing that works well as a read-aloud.
Risk's approach to the book comes from a specific belief she holds about childhood: that it should be rooted in genuine human connection, where children build confidence, empathy, and real-world skills through face-to-face experiences that no digital space can replace. That's a nice through-line to keep in mind when you're there—the event itself is one of those face-to-face experiences she's talking about.
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It's part of the Trick or Read series BookPeople is running this month, so if you're looking for a low-key Saturday morning activity with the kids, this fits the bill. Janine Risk reads the story and then signs copies, all at BookPeople in Austin on Saturday, October 17.
