Former LSU star Kirston Pittman releases children’s book
Published 12:05 am Wednesday, January 8, 2020
- Former LSU star Kirston Pittman is releasing his first children’s book, Stacey Starface. His next plan is to give back to his St. John the Baptist Parish community.
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GARYVILLE — Former LSU football star Kirston Pittman has always aspired to give back to his St. John the Baptist Parish community. The Garyville native is setting out to change the world one positive attitude at a time with the release of his first children’s book, The Adventures of Stacey Starface.
The inspiration behind the book came around 2013, when Pittman noticed the impact of bullying reflected in mass media stories of young people taking their own lives. Motivated to do something to change the reality before him, Pittman put his artistic talents to the test and composed the Starface Song.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you think you are; just know that you’re a star.” That was among the verses Pittman wrote to promote positive self-image in youth. Another message states, “You don’t need to impress anyone; there’s no need to fight or run.”
It took only two days to transform the Starface song into a children’s book, but Pittman didn’t feel ready to share the book with the world. In 2019, he woke up one day knowing it was time and that his book could make a difference to a child in need.
Stacey Starface instills positive messages within children to grow their sense of self worth and help them stay strong when faced with challenges.
The Adventures of Stacey Starface will be available for purchase in February. Preorders of the book will be available online at staceystarface.com, and Pittman is working to make the text available on all electronic formats.
“I couldn’t help but want to do something or be part of trying to curb what was taking place in America,” Pittman said. “Being an artist and a writer, I came up with what I thought could be a solution. I want kids to understand you don’t have to fight every battle, and you don’t have to run every time you are faced with something. You can believe in yourself, and just be comfortable with who you are.”
The first installment of The Adventures of Stacey Starface follows the story of a young boy who faces bullying at school. A wish on a falling star is answered when a star appears in his bedroom.
Kirston Pittman, an East St. John graduate, played on the 2003 and 2007 Louisiana State University National Championship teams. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Pittman hopes to make Stacey Starface a book series complemented by an animated YouTube series to bring positivity to children all around the world.
“I believe that if we can instill those positive messages within the youth at a very early age, it will take shape for them going forward in how they view themselves,” Pittman said. “I’m looking forward to going into the schools and libraries and reading the books for the youth. I’m also looking to have a mascot produced for the kids to see.”
Pittman’s vision also includes using a portion of the book proceeds to help fund a sports complex in Garyville. According to Pittman, St. John Parish children could benefit from a recreational center that also includes built-in classrooms for after school STEM and mentoring programs.
In upcoming years, Pittman would also like to introduce a culinary program that teaches children to farm and prepare their own foods. Economic development and financial literacy courses are also essential to community development, according to Pittman.
The uplifting message of Stacey Starface builds upon Pittman’s “GRITS” clothing brand, which has promoted perseverance in people of all ages.
Short for “Get Rich in The Struggle,” GRITS became a motto for Pittman after he spit out the words during a freestyle rap in his car.
For him, “Get Rich in the Struggle” represented his battle to overcome a string of injuries he faced while playing football at LSU. After being faced with a torn Achilles tendon in 2006, he went on to win his second national championship with the Tigers in 2007.
Pittman started selling GRITS T-Shirts out of the trunk of his car. In June 2017, he presented the brand on national television after being selected to appear on Steve Harvey’s Funderdome.
After the episode aired, people reached out to him to share what GRITS means to them. One young athlete said it inspired him to give sports another shot after tearing his ACL. A woman faced with divorce said it inspired her to pick herself up and move forward.
“GRITS has always been a conversation piece, something that people can relate to, because we all have struggles,” Pittman said. “For me, GRITS and Stacey Starface are one in the same.”
