Book 1 · 1940–1955
Mud, Faith & New Homes
Louisa Street, the swamp village, carrying water, church in a movie theater, returning veterans and the first new homes.
Out November 25, 2026
Coloring book series
A Place Called Desire Coloring Book Series
Four coloring books of true stories from the Desire community, based on the award-winning documentary by Leonard Smith III. One neighborhood, seventy years. For ages 10 to adult.
Book 1 releases November 25, 2026
Book 1 · 1940–1955 · Out November 25, 2026
A neighborhood built from mud, hard work and faith.
In 1940, Louisa Street was a muddy road through a cypress swamp at the edge of New Orleans. Families built homes from tarpaper and tin, carried water by the bucket and held church in a movie theater. After World War II, Black veterans came home and bought houses of their own. Then neighbors cut an Army building into pieces and hauled it across town to raise a church.
What’s inside each book
- 25 true stories, each with a full-page illustration to color
- “Think About It” questions that connect the past to your own life
- A source list, a family-story page and a drawing activity
Sample spread from Book 1: the story “Crawfish in the Gutters” on the left, and its page to color on the right.
Collect all four
One neighborhood, seventy years
Each book follows a different chapter of Desire’s story, told through the memories of the people who lived it.
Book 2 · 1949–1960
Bricks, Books & Big Dreams
The brick housing development, the bookmobile, family life, schools and neighbors who shared what they had.
In development
Book 3 · 1965–1970
Storms & the Village
Hurricane Betsy, Scout Troop 518, community mentors and the village that raised its children.
In development
Book 4 · 1969–2000s
Pride, Struggle & a New Desire
Community pride, the fight over the landfill, Hurricane Katrina and the New Desire.
In developmentDetails
About the books
- Author
- Leonard Smith III
- Ages
- 10 to adult
- Format
- 8.5 × 11 inch paperback with a full-color cover
- Inside
- 25 true stories, each facing a full-page illustration to color
- Based on
- A Place Called Desire, winner of Best Documentary at the Black Film Festival of New Orleans
- Release
- Book 1: November 25, 2026 · Books 2–4 to follow
- Price
- $14.99 per book · $49.99 for the four-book set
- Publisher
- LS3 Studios, LLC
Schools, libraries and groups
Bring the books to your community
The series is made for classrooms, libraries, churches, museums and family reunions. Ask about group orders, school visits and pairing the books with a screening of the film.
Bring Desire to your community