On the shelf

Mike Sciacca

When reading the simple words that Paul Kevin Trani has penned in his

first book, one will be able to find a simple message directed at

children.

It is that age group that Trani targeted when he wrote, “The Red

Lazers, First Game of the Season.” The book tells of the story of young

girl new to a girls’ soccer team, who is scared about playing in her

first game and against players bigger than herself. This young girl --

named Baylee -- learns over the course of the book’s 28 pages how to

overcome her fears.

It may be a simple message, Trani says, but it’s one he hopes kids

take to heart.

“I think it is important that we parents instill solid morals in our

children,” he said.

After overcoming any initial fears or doubts about his writing

ability, the Huntington Beach resident went to work on a project that

took three months to complete.

“The Red Lazers, First Game of the Season,” was written with the help

of his wife Lori.

In December, Dorrance Publishing Co. of Pittsburgh put Trani under a

two-year contract. The publishing company has printed 500 copies of the

book, which has yet to hit bookshelves.

The paperback book was a collaboration of Trani’s family, perhaps the

most cherished part of his life. His mother, Polly Ann Law, drew all the

illustrations, from front cover to back. The characters portrayed in his

book -- and their likenesses in illustration -- are created in the images

of children he knows: his own, nieces, nephews and his children’s

friends.

The central figure in the book is based on his own 3-year-old

daughter, Baylee.

Even the author himself is in the book as Coach Kevin. Trani said he

gained insight into writing this book after playing soccer at Westminster

High and later coaching a youth soccer team.

“The only English class I did well in was creative writing. I always

wanted to write something and the idea for this book came to me one day

while I was driving home from work,” said the 38-year-old, who works as a

marine clerk in the longshore industry in Long Beach.

Trani also has written two other stories, one contains the message of

being a good winner, the other touts the virtue of being a good loser.

These two stories are put to paper but have not yet been published.

He ends each of his books with a Bible quote appropriate to his

intended message.

“I love children and I think it is important, as parents, that we take

time out to take care of our kids,” he added. * MIKE SCIACCA is the

education and sports reporter. He can be reached at (714) 965-7171 or by

e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.