What happens when a successful comedian lets his imagination really run wild? For Trevor Noah, it culminates in his latest book, Into the Cut Grass, an illustrated read celebrating the power of imagination.
Inspired by the colorful conversations he and his mom had as she was parenting him as a child, Into the Cut Grass tells the story of a young boy and his wise stuffed bear who journey outside of their home and into an enchanted world. There, he learns about mutuality, compassion and compromise, themes that speak to readers of all ages.
‘As a kid, my imagination was my escape and my way of making sense of the world. I would turn everyday objects into characters and imagine whole worlds where anything was possible, he told EBONY. “My imagination allowed me to transform difficult situations into adventures and helped me cope with the realities of my environment by creating a world where I had control.”
Here, the four-time Grammy host breaks down his new children’s book in five thoughts.
Into the Cut Grass. Image: Amazon.
I decided to write this children’s book because…I wanted to create a story that taps into the boundless imagination of children while also offering valuable lessons about empathy and conflict resolution. Growing up, I often felt misunderstood, and I know many kids feel the same way. I wanted to write something that could help children navigate those emotions through a fun and adventurous tale that shows the power of understanding and working through challenges together.
How my imagination and conflict resolution with my Mom made me the man I am today are…My mom and I often had different perspectives, but she always encouraged me to express myself and work through our disagreements with words rather than conflict. She allowed me space to imagine alternative solutions and pushed me to think critically about my actions and choices. That practice of using my imagination to solve problems has shaped how I approach challenges in my life and career today.
My favorite moment in the book is…The boy and his toy bear find themselves facing an obstacle in the imaginary garden and have to work together to overcome it. It’s a turning point where the boy learns that facing challenges is easier when you approach them with an open mind and a willingness to work through things with others.
My favorite toy companion as a child was…I had a small action figure that I carried around with me everywhere. It wasn’t fancy, but in my mind, it had a whole personality and story. That toy became a constant in my imaginary adventures, just like the boy in my book who goes on a journey with his toy bear.
What I hope people learn and take away from this book, which is how imagination can foster resolution, is…I hope people, especially children, realize that imagination isn’t just for fun—it’s also a tool for understanding the world and solving problems. Whether it’s with family, friends or even within themselves, imagination can help foster empathy and create new perspectives that lead to peaceful resolutions. I want readers to see that they can use their creativity not only to escape but also to grow.
Into the Cut Grass is available on Amazon.
