Houston – As Houston celebrates its 189th birthday, local mom and entrepreneur Kat Bailey has given the city a fresh, playful tribute: Porter’s H‑Town ABCs. Co-created with her two‑year‑old son Porter, the picture book replaces the usual “A is for Apple” approach with a hometown twist, teaching the alphabet through places, people, and stories that make Houston unique.
What began as a moment of parental fatigue of the same old alphabet song grew into a labor of love. Bailey started jotting down Houston‑specific entries on her phone: Astros for A, Hermann Park for H, Buffalo Bayou, and so on. She wanted the book to be fun for toddlers and informative for parents, blending playful learning with local history.
The path to publication wasn’t easy. Bailey quietly worked on the project for months, facing more than a dozen rejections from publishers. Along the way she learned more about the city she loves, discovering things she didn’t know. After about six months, she received an acceptance email and the book went live on Amazon, with plans for wider distribution.
Porter’s H‑Town ABCs includes a special interactive section in the paperback edition where children can add their own H‑Town entries feature Bailey says makes the book personal for families. The first copies brought joy to her own family: Porter and his older siblings were thrilled to see themselves and local landmarks in the pages.
Bailey sees the book as more than an educational tool than it is a way for young readers to see their city reflected in the stories they learn at an early age.
Porter’s H‑Town ABCs is available at major booksellers and through her website.
Happy birthday, Houston! 🩷🤠🎂