ORANGE PARK – The 41st Fall Festival had a whopping turnout from visitors across the state. Just next door from the Clay Today was a booth of published author PeTika Tave, who was excited to promote and sign copies of her children’s books.

“Beautiful as You Are” is written for young girls, and “Brilliant as You Are” is written for young boys to instill self-love and self-acceptance in developing young minds, Tave said.

Her story-telling journey began when she wrote poems to her daughter, each a proclamation of unconditional love. The heartfelt affirmations she wrote to her daughter were like a wellspring from Tave’s own life because she struggled with her own body image when she was a young girl.

“I didn’t want any child to suffer that way. No matter how big or how short,” Tave said.

Tave wanted her daughter to see herself the way that she did. The poems culminated in “Beautiful as You Are,” her first published storybook. “Why I Love Grandpa” is her latest published storybook.

Tave is a teacher in the Duval County school system, and as an author, she travels to other schools and daycares to hold affirmation rallies.

“I want to celebrate what makes everyone unique. There’s room for everyone in this life. I try to be as humble as I can and to encourage humility throughout society. Being accepting of others and the differences of others will make the world a better place.”

Tave came to the festival for the first time last year, where she was a vendor only at the last minute. She had heard about the festival and how the event is consistently voted to be a top destination in the Southeast.

Last year, she fell in love with the uplifting atmosphere and how the community comes together to support small businesses. Now, the Fall Festival is a tradition for Tave’s family.

“Such a variety of people experiencing so much of the community and sharing so much of themselves with the world,” she said.