Scout Haskel is a six-year-old from Montclair, New Jersey, who turned a holiday pastime into a viral sensation when her parents shared a handmade book on Instagram. The book, titled The Kid Who Drank Wine, sparked laughter and comments from strangers and raised questions about kids’ creative output.
At a Glance
- A 6-year-old author wrote a book about a kid drinking wine.
- Parents posted it on Instagram on Jan. 5.
- The video received hundreds of thousands of views.
- Why it matters: It demonstrates how family content can go viral and influence future creative projects.
The Birth of a Homemade Book
During a holiday visit to relatives, the Haskel family gathered around a table with wine. While adults chatted, their daughter Scout was sketching and writing.
“Scout would just come over and say, ‘How do you spell the word wine? How do you spell ‘party’? How do you spell this?'” said Keith. He was amazed when she came over with a fully-finished book and added that none of the adults had put any of the words in her mouth, describing the moment as “just hilarious.”
The book is a cautionary tale about a girl who defies her mother’s rule and drinks wine at a birthday party. By the end, the girl learns her lesson and says, “I don’t feel good, Mommy.”
The family’s reaction to the book’s content was a mix of humor and surprise, as even the parents were taken aback by their daughter’s creativity.
Going Viral
After the book was finished, Bethany kept thinking about it. One evening, she asked her husband to film her reading it aloud.
The couple posted the video on Instagram on Jan. 5. The clip quickly gathered hundreds of thousands of views from strangers and friends alike.
“We don’t normally showcase our kids,” said Bethany. “But it made me laugh so hard and my family laughed so hard that I just felt like this is a little piece of joy and relatable substance – why not brighten people’s day a little bit?”
Keith added, “Everyone’s like, ‘Can you publish it?’ I don’t know if we ever will, but it’s funny that people seem to find it relatable and love it.”
Family Reactions
The viral post sparked unexpected connections. Bethany received messages from former classmates and church members who had never known Scout could write.
“Somebody from my church reached out and was like, ‘We had no idea Scout was such a writer,'” she said. She expressed pleasure at sharing the family’s humor with a broader audience.
“At the risk of sounding too corny,” she added, “especially as a comedy family, I’m so pleased that we were able to share this little piece of fun and hilarity and kid shenanigans with people that really struck a chord with folks.”
Future Projects
Scout has already begun work on two additional titles. The Kid Who Drank Coffee and The Kid Who Drank Beer also explore the perils of children consuming adult beverages.
“It’s definitely her own brand that she’s developing and franchising, perhaps,” joked Keith. The family acknowledges the potential for a franchise but remains uncertain about publishing.
They continue to enjoy the creative process, enjoying the unexpected attention that their daughter’s work has attracted.
Timeline of Events
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Family holiday gathering and book creation | During the holidays |
| Video posted on Instagram | Jan. 5 |
Key Takeaways
- A child’s creativity can become a viral phenomenon.
- Family content can resonate widely when shared on social media.
- Viral success can open new creative opportunities for young authors.
- Humor and relatability are powerful drivers of online engagement.
