SH’MYRA MOORE (L3) recently published a children’s novel called “A Warm Fuzzy Day” – an encouraging book that brings hope to kids. photo by MEGAN BANNISTER | Staff Photographer

Drake University Law School student Sh’Myra Moore (L3) is celebrating the recent publication of her children’s novel.

Through her book, entitled “A Warm Fuzzy Day,” Moore intends to help children deal with the everyday stresses of being a kid. She encourages children to find the “warm fuzzies” in their lives – the details and activities that may help alleviate stress levels – and incorporate these into their bad days. She said that she hopes the novel will allow children to express concerns and constructively manage their problems.

After working on the novel for three years, Moore said she was excited to have finally finished and published her work. The novel was published by Haci Publishing and is intended for beginning readers.

“I used to teach elementary education while getting my undergraduate degree, and I realized that kids get stressed out, too,” Moore said. “I wanted to write a novel to help kids deal with their stress and to remember the good times.”

Moore is in her third year of law school. The Salisbury, N.C., native received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in english literature from North Carolina Central University. She said that she has always wanted to write and sees it as an outlet for expression.

Professor of law librarianship Karen Wallace met with Moore after the author began working for the law library in 2008. “Sh’Myra wrote a children’s book with a wonderful, encouraging theme,” Wallace said. “She uses simple, rhythmic language and repetition to remind children that thinking about their ‘warm fuzzies’ can help them through even the most trying times.”

Moore continues to work toward her law degree and has received recognition in the legal field as well.

Sh’Myra received the 2009 Cyrus Sinclair Award for her role as the Law Library student desk supervisor.

“She received the award for demonstrated commitment to the Drake University Law Library and to (her) colleagues,” Wallace said.

Professor Melissa Heames-Weresh said Moore is an extremely professional, conscientious and prepared student.

Heames-Weresh taught Moore in her legal writing and appellate advocacy class.

“Her legal writing was well-organized, thorough and complete,” Heames-Weresh said. “She did a great job in the course, and I am not at all surprised to learn that she is being honored for her writing.”

Moore plans to continue writing in the future. She is also interested in feminist poetry and is currently working on her first collection of poems.

“I hope to both write and practice law,” Moore said. “I never want to be tied down to one job.”

Moore also aspires to establish her own publishing company one day and to own a law practice. She said she was thrilled to be published so early in her career and hopes that others can find inspiration in her work.