Local Teen Author Marleigh Brown Launches Say Something Sweet, a National Kindness Movement Inspired by Her Debut Children's Book

Perri's Pencil Problem sparked a conversation about microaggressions and natural hair — now its teen author is turning that story into a nationwide movement

WRENTHAM, MA — Teen author and entrepreneur Marleigh Brown is expanding her impact on children's literacy and social-emotional learning with the launch of Say Something Sweet, Inc., a nonprofit movement built on the message of her debut picture book, Perri's Pencil Problem.

Brown wrote Perri's Pencil Problem, for readers ages 5 to 8, drawing on her own childhood experience with a racial microaggression involving her natural hair. The book follows a young Black girl whose classmate puts pencils into her afro at school. It can be used in classroom and dinner table conversations about identity, respect, and belonging. It is available now on Amazon, PerrisPencilProblem.com and online booksellers.

Building on that momentum, Brown founded Say Something Sweet, Inc. to turn her story into sustained action. The movement's “sweet words” versus “sour words” framework gives children an accessible way to recognize the impact of their language and choose empathy over harm. Through saysomethingsweet.org, Brown has built a volunteer Squad, a public pledge campaign, and social-emotional learning curriculum for grade bands from kindergarten through high school.

“Perri's Pencil Problem started as my story. Say Something Sweet can further the impact of the book by turning the sour vs. sweet words conversation into a movement. I want every kid who has felt left out, unheard, self-conscious or unimportant to know their voice matters,” said Brown.

Brown is not simply the subject of a feel-good story; she is the founder behind an entire ecosystem built around representation, also running MeadowAngel.com, a personalized handmade stationery business for diverse kids with international reach.

Book: Perri's Pencil Problem, ages 5–8. Available on perrispencilproblem.com, Amazon, Walmart.com, and other online booksellers

Movement: Say Something Sweet, Inc., a pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Take the Sweet Squad pledge at saysomethingsweet.org