A picture of the 2019 draft of Kendra and Perry Maynard’s “The S.S. United States.”
Kendra and Perry Maynard, a brother-sister duo who self-published a children's book about America's Flagship in 2019, are now updating their tribute to the Big U. Their tale of discovery, featuring the SS United States, along with Lady Liberty and Grandpa and Baby Gull, powerfully conveys how the ship continues to inspire and connect the generations.
The project was the offshoot of Perry Maynard’s research into America’s Flagship after spending a night on The Queen Mary. Enthralled by what he’d learned, Perry shared his budding interest in the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic with his family, which piqued the interest of his sister, Kendra, who was completing her studies at Savannah College of Art and Design where she was obtaining degrees in Illustration and Fashion Marketing. After touring the ship in 2019, the duo’s curiosity and creative thinking resulted in an illustrated children’s book that became part of Kendra’s senior year project (pictured above).
Fast-forward a couple years and the Maynard’s passion for America’s Flagship, and its potential to be an inspirational force for a new generation, is still spurring them to action. Kendra and Perry recently shared a "sneak peek" of their forthcoming publication with the Conservancy, complete with all new illustrations (below).
Today, Kendra and Perry remain hard at work, aiming to wrap up the revised version of their children’s book and make it available to family and friends in mid-October. They’re also exploring how to advance on a self-published, printed-on-demand version later this year.
From David Macaulay's "Crossing on Time" to Elizabeth Fletcher's "Grandfather's Ship" to the first children's book about the SS United States published by Rand McNally back in 1953, America's Flagship continues to captivate and entertain children of all ages.
Stay tuned for more information.