Whether the Auburn-Alabama football rivalry will ever fade is unknown, but Deb Hiett is doing what she can to show people it doesn't always have to end with poisoned trees.
Hiett has been on television shows such as "Parks and Recreation," "The Office," "Prison Break," "Desperate Housewives" and "Boston Legal," but she has recently chosen to write a book.
Hiett said the idea for her book, "When Mommy Loves Bama and Daddy Loves Auburn," popped into her head when she was reading a blog post comment where the user said how much college football fans across the country hate the SEC.
Her feelings toward the user's comment triggered the idea of a children's book.
Hiett was raised in a house divided, with her mom being an Alabama alumna and her father, an Auburn alumnus.
She recalled being sent over to the neighbors house the day of the Iron Bowl because her parents didn't want to upset the children with their reactions to the game.
This inspired her to write a story about children living in a household divided by sports teams.
"I wrote it from the kid's perspective of growing up inside of the biggest rivalry in college football. It's important, I think, to be really passionate about sports," Hiett said.
"Last fall, I actually had neighbors here in Los Angeles come over to check on me because of all the screaming that was going on on Saturdays, but it's also important to maintain some perspective and kindness and joy."
Her book follows the ritual of college football game days, from the certain foods that fans like to eat to the clothes and chairs that they choose specifically for that day.
Hiett included references to Toomer's Drugstore, Niffer's Place and popular Tuscaloosa eateries such as The Globe Restaurant and Dreamland Bar-B-Que.
These are things she learned growing up, and these are the things the children in the book see.
The book's illustrator, Amy Lynn Stevenson, said she used special techniques to put the focus on the children.
The illustrations don't show the parents' faces, but instead the story is told through the children's faces and reactions.
This was Stevenson's first time illustrating a book.
She said while she found it challenging, she enjoyed it by the end.
"(Hiett) had in mind kind of a 50s era golden book," Stevenson said. "It was very fun for me to kind of come up with these very kind of perfectly cherubic kind of little kids."
Chad Gibbs, columnist for Opelika-Auburn News, wrote a column about Hiett's book and said it portrayed a serious rivalry from a hilarious perspective that makes it easier for kids to understand.
"If a children's book will prevent someone from poisoning trees 60 years down the road, maybe it's a good thing," Gibbs said.
Gibbs described Hiett's book as clever and funny, but appropriate for all ages.
"The thing I really liked about it is that it tries to be kind of inclusive," Gibbs said. "It's not one side bashing the other side, it's kind of trying to bring people together and not attacking each other."
"Bridesmaids" actress Wendi McLendon-Covey gave the book a positive review.
"This is a frank and honest look at an age old rivalry that has torn families apart," McLendon-Covey said. "Not since the East/West Coast Swing Dancing Wars has an American pastime caused so much grief. Now the healing can begin. Knowledge is power."
Hiett's book is available in the Auburn University bookstore and Amazon.com.
For more information about Deb Hiett, or to order the book, visit DebHiett.com.
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