The Maple Staple Champions Five Diverse Voices at the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair

The Maple Staple will showcase five books representing a wide range of genres, themes, and readerships at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, taking place October 7–11 at Messe Frankfurt. The featured titles will be presented at The Maple Staple’s booth in Hall 5.1, Stand D86, giving international visitors an opportunity to discover works that explore subjects ranging from medicine and global health to love, spirituality, childhood, political conflict, and belonging.

Beginning with a work grounded in medical knowledge and decades of professional experience, “Dealing with Diseases” by Bud Hunton is a nonfiction work that examines the changing understanding of infectious diseases and the broader healthcare landscape. The book examines recent developments related to COVID-19 and other illnesses, including influenza, while considering the long-term effects diseases can have on individuals and society. Hunton also addresses healthcare policy during a period of significant political change, connecting medical developments with the larger public conversations surrounding health and government.

The book is informed by Hunton’s extensive professional background in medicine, education, and medical writing. After retiring from the U.S. Navy in 1975, where he served as a hospital corpsman, Hunton continued his career in civilian hospitals in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. He later spent 22 years teaching at Sinclair Community College, where he taught medical terminology and computer courses, while also contributing to medical textbook editing and writing for McGraw-Hill Publishers. His career gives “Dealing with Diseases” a perspective shaped by decades of direct experience with medical education and healthcare.

From the factual world of medicine, the collection moves into a very different literary landscape with “Seraphin Stone: Say Yes to Heaven” by Ettenig Sayam.

Set during the economic and political upheaval of 2008 and 2009, “Seraphin Stone: Say Yes to Heaven” follows 17-year-old Haitian American Marie Ange Seraphin, known as Mari, and 31-year-old corporate executive David Stone as their lives become intertwined under the guidance of Bondye and Papa Legba from Haitian voudou tradition.

The novel combines contemporary romance with elements of spirituality, cultural heritage, ballet, tourism, social realism, and mysticism. Mari pursues her ambitions in the ballet world while David attempts to overcome the expectations of his privileged background and establish himself in the world of venture capital. Their journeys eventually carry them from Rhode Island to Europe, including Paris and the Åland Islands, as they confront questions of identity, destiny, personal growth, and human connection. Rather than following the conventions of a single genre, “Seraphin Stone: Say Yes to Heaven” creates an expansive story where romance and self-discovery intersect with history, culture, and the supernatural.

The collection then shifts toward younger audiences with “The Earth Is My Home” by Cesily Rosario, a heartfelt children’s book centered on kindness, community, and the relationship between children and the world around them. Through uplifting language and vibrant themes, the book encourages young readers to recognize that the Earth is a shared home and that even small acts of kindness toward nature, animals, and other people can contribute to a better world.

With years of experience in the New York City public school system, Cesily Rosario has taught students in both general and special education settings while supporting diverse academic, developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. She also founded and operated a learning center for toddlers, creating nurturing environments focused on early learning and positive development. Through her writing, Rosario seeks to help children understand the importance of kindness, teamwork, individuality, resilience, and self-awareness, encouraging them to grow not only academically but also emotionally and socially.

From the hopeful perspective of childhood, the collection turns toward a far more turbulent world in “Downfall And Freedom: A Novel about the Arms Trade, South Africa, and the KwaZulu” by Charles E. Webb. The novel follows John Wesley Zooma, a member of the Zulu tribe in Natal, South Africa, and Clarence VanDyke Jackson, an African American from south-central Mississippi. Though they grow up thousands of miles apart, traumatic experiences during their youth leave both men determined to seek revenge, ultimately shaping the paths they take as adults.

Their lives later intersect through Jackson’s involvement in the illegal international arms trade. When Jackson falls in love with a Brazilian woman and decides to leave the business behind, he agrees to broker one final deal with his German partner, Carl Durnbacher. His attempt to escape the trade places his life in danger, while unrest simultaneously builds in South Africa. Zooma becomes aware of an impending uprising and uses his resources to help his friend Michael Stephens and his family escape the country. As these individual stories unfold, the novel weaves together the arms trade, personal loyalty, political upheaval, and the struggle for freedom.

Charles E. Webb brings an extensive international professional background to the story. An electrical engineering graduate of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, he spent 44 years working across global electrical, mining, petroleum, and safety industries, including more than 23 years in international business. His professional experiences provide a foundation for a novel that crosses continents and explores the intersection between personal choices and larger historical forces.

The fifth featured title brings the collection to a more intimate and tender story with “The Kittician Kitty” by Patricia Viles-Antonellis. Based on the true story of a young kitten who becomes lost on the island of St. Kitts, the book follows her journey after she is brought to the United States and adopted by Pati and Peter. What begins with uncertainty ultimately becomes a story of finding a loving family and a place to call home.

Patricia Viles-Antonellis, a former high school history and psychology teacher, traveled to St. Kitts several times before turning this experience into her first book. She also counseled students with developmental challenges and addictions, experiences that shaped her compassionate perspective. Through “The Kittician Kitty,” she offers a touching story of resilience, connection, and new beginnings.

Together, the five books demonstrate the breadth of stories and ideas that can emerge from independent publishing. Whether readers are interested in nonfiction, romance, children’s literature, historical and political fiction, or heartfelt true stories, the five featured titles offer distinct experiences while demonstrating the continuing ability of books to connect readers with unfamiliar worlds, ideas, and perspectives.

To learn more about The Maple Staple and its participation in the 78th Frankfurt Book Fair, visit https://themaplestaple.com/fbf2026/.

Contact Information

Emmanuel Laguardia

Director

Bookside Press

Contact via E-mail