Grandson's paper knight inspires local author's first children's book

Local author Lydia Zorzi Scotti penned her first book, a collection of poems and prose, titled "Dancing on the Edge of Normalcy," at the age of 73 last year. Now, she has turned to an entirely new genre for her follow-up act: children's literature.

Scotti recently debuted her book, "Sir Knight and His Boy," a tale inspired by her real-life interactions with her grandson.

"It's a story of transformation through the power of love, compassion and a little magic," she said.

It all started when her grandson crafted a paper knight with a blue suit, blonde hair and yellow shield.

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The adventurer made his way to visit Scotti, joining her for outings to Lido Key Beach, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and other local spots. 

"He asked me to show the knight around, and I did," she said. "I took photos, and I would send them back to him with a little storyline attached to it."

She said these exploits inspired her second written undertaking.

The knight went for many outings, but five main ones ended up in the book. She sought out unique sites for the knight's adventures, but she also wanted to take him on an emotional journey through her writing.

"In the story, the knight starts out from a little box in a teacher's supply closet that the children in the class discover with the teacher," she described. "He had apparently been there a while because there were cobwebs and spiders."

The blank template becomes the titular knight through the artistic talents of the boy.

"The moment the boy picks him up, something magical happens," she said. "The knight has an awakening."

As in real life, the knight heads to Nonna and Papa's house in Florida, where he goes to the gardens, beaches and even a wedding. Each step of the way, he grows as an individual, from getting the name "Sir Knight" to donning a special outfit for the nuptials.

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"At each place, he gains a fuller sense of himself," she added. "It's not just a story of a paper cutout. It's the story of all of us. If we're kept in a box, if we're never loved, if we never get that compassion, we don't get an opportunity to grow beyond that box."

She added, "At the wedding, when people take pictures with him, he is moved by the love and happiness of this family gathering. … He understands love, and he understands compassion." 

Scotti said she believes now is an especially poignant time to put this story out into the world, when she hopes to encourage people to spread such compassion. While the book is geared toward children, she said she hopes its message connects with adults as well.

"It's about a belief that we have the power to transform who we are, always," she said. "It's a transformational power that we all have, if we're given the opportunity."

Jason Fowler illustrated the book, and Scotti said she adored how she imbued the little knight with such life. She dedicated the book to her grandson, writing, "Grandmothers keep their promises." She noted that other family members make cameos in the illustrations as well.

Scotti does have plans to launch a third book, again hopping genres to explore an anthology of essays.