By Michael Butler

The Marshall Islands are a three-mile stretch of islands in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Australia. It is where Tallassee native Brooke Dean serves as a third-grade teacher.

Dean gets back home when she can (usually holidays) but did spend last Christmas on the island.

“I went snorkeling,” she said. “It’s summertime year-round.”

Dean is back home again this summer to promote her second book, “K Is for Kwajalein: A Marshall Islands Alphabet Book,” with a book signing scheduled for July 19 at 10 a.m. at the Book Nook in downtown Tallassee.

“It is written in English, not Marshallese. Since the island that I’m on is a military base, I mostly have people who are speaking English. I do have some local students who speak Marshallese. I only know how to say hello which is iokwe. And, I can say thank you which is kommol.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing. It was kind of during the pandemic when I was at home and actually decided to write a full book.”

That first book is titled, “Parker’s Markers.” It too is a book for young children.

“It’s for adults as well,” Dean said. “Everybody’s been curious about the island. I’ve had several adults who don’t even have kids who bought it for themselves.”

Dean collaborated with an illustrator who resides in the United Kingdom.

“I’ve never met her in person. I had to send her lots of pictures to give her that visual.”

Books are available online through Amazon. Dean calls book writing a “passion project,” so expect more work in the future.