Sunday is the inner-child spirit of author Denessa A. Smalls. She is inspired by the little girl Denessa once was—curious, observant, surrounded by family, and deeply influenced by the love, lessons, and experiences that shaped her childhood.

Readers might assume that Sunday represents an only child. That is far from the truth.

Denessa is the middle of three daughters born to Julia and Dennis Smalls. Her mother, Julia, is the daughter of James Hayward and Alberta, who passed away when Julia was only 18 years old. Her father, Dennis, is the son of Robert and Earline Smalls. Denessa grew up alongside her older sister, Neeka, and her younger sister, Rose.

So why does Sunday often appear at the center of these stories?

Because Sunday is not intended to recreate every person who was present in every childhood memory. She is the character through whom Denessa shares those memories.

And there were a lot of people in those memories!

Family was everywhere—especially during summers in the country. Denessa's country grandparents had 10 children, which meant there was certainly no shortage of cousins. In many of the experiences that inspired Sunday’s Adventures, there could easily have been 10 to 12 cousins together at one time. Trying to include every cousin, sibling, aunt, uncle, and family member by name would turn one adventure into a family reunion roll call.

Instead, Sunday carries the heart of those experiences.