By Anthony J. Machcinski
In the rush of the holiday season, many family traditions get pushed aside because of the many time constraints the holiday season imposes.
Kearny resident and author Anna Prokos hopes to restore some of these traditions and create new ones with her latest children’s book, “The Lucky Cake.”
“The Lucky Cake” is inspired by the Greek tradition of baking a cake with a coin inside for the beginning of the New Year. Once the cake is finished, it is served from oldest to youngest. The one who finds the coin in the cake is said to have a lucky year.
“This was a family tradition my family has had since I was a child,” Prokos explained. “I think that this New Year’s tradition is something that families can start whether you’re Greek or not.”
A three-time winner of the coin herself, Prokos understands the anticipation of the tradition, not just for adults but also for children.
“It’s an exciting time for kids,” Prokos said cheerfully. “They wait all year for a chance at this lucky coin and I think that would be something that all kids would like to experience for their families.”
Harboring writing aspirations since she was in second grade, Prokos began her writing apprenticeship as a columnist at The Observer in 1991, while still a junior at Kearny High, then became an author of children’s books, self-publishing this book after penning 40 other books for kids. this book after writing 40 other books for children.
“It was amazing and I’m very proud of the work that went into it,” Prokos explained when asked about publishing the book. “It was like a dream come true.”
With the success of “The Lucky Cake,” Prokos will create a second part, “The Lucky Year,” which will follow the main character, Billy, and his continuing adventures with
the lucky coin. In order to create some of the adventures needed for “The Lucky Year,” Prokos has enlisted the help of the very children she hopes to reach.
“We’re running a contest with students in schools all over New Jersey,” Prokos explained. “They’re going to submit ideas to me of adventures Billy can take. If there are enough really good ones, then maybe I’ll make it into a series.”
While Prokos looks to start a new tradition with her book, she also hopes to provide help for the community. A portion of the proceeds from her book will benefit The Greek Children’s Fund, an organization that provides financial assistance towards the daily, non-medical needs of Greek, Cypriot and Greek- American children and their families.
Prokos is scheduled for book-signings at several town events and venues, including the North Arlington Town Holiday Tree Lighting on Dec. 6, and at the Kearny Branch Library on Jan. 7.
To order her book, go to www.theluckycakebook.com.
To enter the contest, send submissions to: info@a-tozpublishing.com by Jan. 31,
2012.
