Book on Hurricane Irene launched in Franklin Square

Marie Barret and her daughters read “Ms. Irene Is So Demanding” during her book-launching event in Franklin Square on March 30.

Mikaelle Kanterakis/Herald

Local resident Marie Barret, with her published book, “Ms. Irene Is So Demanding.”

Mikaelle Kanterakis/Herald

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Local resident Marie Barret, the first-time author of the children’s book, “Ms. Irene Is So Demanding,” which focuses on hurricane safety and preparedness, was celebrated by dozens of locals on March 30, in Franklin Square.

Barret held a book-launching event at Franklin Caterers for “Ms. Irene,” which aims to teach children about the dangers that hurricanes bring, from a child’s perspective, she said.

“I wrote the book because of the reaction to the hurricane that I got from my 7-year-old-daughter, Abby Marie — she had assumed the worst and the more information she got, the more she feared,” Barret said, adding, “I wanted to clear her fears and let her know that as long as we took the proper precautions, everything would be all right. If we make storm safety an open conversation ... we will be able to eliminate some of the fears.”

Barret, who was born in Haiti and moved to the United States when she was 7, now lives in Nassau County with her spouse and daughter Abigail. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in teaching English, and has been an educator in New York City for the past 10 years, for a variety of students with different ages and multicultural backgrounds.

“As a teacher, I have read countless amount of children’s books,” she said. “I think it was only natural that my first book be a children’s book.”

For more information, visit www.barretsbooks.com or email Barret at barretsbooks@gmail.com.