Much like the children's book they were launching on July 15, an event celebrating the release of Soulful Sydney Explores Diversity soulfulsydney.com.

had many special parts that all flowed and fit together perfectly.

Drawing about 75 attendees to the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall, the launch party featured a couple of songs, a blessing, a special guest, comments from all three authors, an explanation of how the book came together, a full reading, and of couse, cookies.

Hosted by The Al Hedaya Islamic Center, with support from Newtown Interfaith Clergy Association, the launch party opened and closed with singer Christina Connors.

She opened the 40-minute program with a solo rendition of the David Friedman song "Soulful Forest," and closed by leading about a dozen children from the audience in a number entitled "We Can Be Kind," also by Mr Friedman.

Co-author Terry Murphy handled much of the speaking program, providing introductions that kept the pace of the program tight but comfortable. She also spent a few minutes talking the crowd through the backstory that led up to the book's publication.

Along with Ms Murphy, the book was co-written by her sister Deborah Clarke of Maryland - a longtime educator - and 11-year-old Newtown student Mariam Azeez. The book was illustrated by artist Tian, who resides in India.

Special guest US Senator Richard Blumenthal said he was "honored and inspired" to be at the event.

Sen Blumenthal went home with a copy of the book, which was also being sent to every other US Senator in Washington by the authors in the hope it would inspire all the federal lawmakers to promote inclusion and value diversity.

"Thank you to Terry, Deborah, and Mariam for this gift," the senator said. "This book is more than something in writing and pictures - it's a gift about values."

The senator referenced a passage from the book he said "hit my heart," which he recited: "When people find love in a world of hate, loving kindness is the language they create."

"My colleagues in the United States Senate need that lesson," Sen Blumenthal added as a round of applause erupted.

Dr John Woodall acknowledged the many young people in attendance before offering a blessing.

"The kids in the room right now are the most important people in this room," he said. "Not because of who you are right now, but because of what you are going to become. You are the ones that will have to bring us into unity - this spirit of one human family."

Ms Murphy returned to the podium to review the journey leading up to publishing the book, which she intends as the first installment of a series.

Soulful Sydney started taking shape.

She said in 2013, when she met Ms Connors, Ms Murphy realized the two shared the same heart. And while she wanted to write about children, Ms Connor wanted to create music for them. Beginning with casual meetings in 2013, the elements of 

Projecting a graphic from the book, Ms Murphy touched on many of the components, characters, and aspects that eventually came together so well. She then brought her sister into the mix to help breathe life into the words.

Ms Clark's next step, she said, was to seek someone to help her understand inclusion, which led her to the Islamic Center and its spiritual leader Eman Beshtawii, who is Mariam's mother.

"I went to the mosque and talked to the kids, and Mariam shot up like a rocket and said 'I know what it's like, and I can help you with this.' And the three of us were in complete unity about what we wanted to do," Ms Clark said.

During her remarks, Mariam recited two verses from the Koran before thanking her co-writers, the illustrator, several relatives, teachers, and the local interfaith community.

"May peace and blessings be with you," she said in closing. "And may the power of reading, knowledge, and compassion, bring us together to make this world a better place for all the children and all of humanity."

Anyone interested in learning more about the book, or to purchase it and other companion materials, visit