Author Biography
Jennifer
Carr is a writer, blogger, public speaker and advocate for transgender and all gender diverse individuals. She shares her journey of self
awareness inspired by parenting her gender diverse child on her
internationally celebrated blog www.TodayYouAreYou.com. She uses a pseudonym to protect the safety of her family.
Jennifer
is the proud mother of a child who knew she born in the wrong body at
4 years old. “Be who you are,” Jennifer told her daughter as
school, clothes, family and pronouns became increasingly difficult.
Each day was another opportunity to live authentically, but there
were abundant learning curves and life lessons around every corner.
Jennifer's daughter socially transitioned to living as herself, a
girl, shortly before her 6th
birthday.
Despite
living in one of the largest cities in the United States, Jennifer
could not find resources for gender diverse children locally.
After being turned away from several organizations that serve the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) population due to the fact
they exclusively served teens and adults, Jennifer reached out to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and doors began to
open. She joined PFLAG and
found the inspiration to create a play group for gender diverse elementary school age children. The group provides a way for the children, their siblings and their
parents to have a support group of their own. The children and
families understand that they are not alone. This is usually is a
powerful revelation.
Jennifer continued to reach out to national organizations for resources and support. By collaborating with Trans Youth Family Allies and the American Civil Liberties Union, Jennifer fought the local public school system for the rights and privacy of gender diverse children. They won, and together they created the first protocol for admitting and supporting gender diverse and transgender elementary school children. Their success means that children are better protected and understood at school allowing a better learning environment for all. Families no longer have to make their children conform to gender stereotypes to attend school. All children will be addressed by their preferred name and pronoun. Every child is allowed to use the bathroom appropriate for their expressed gender. Families will not have to worry about the failing grades, emotional problems and physical abuse traditionally experienced by gender diverse children. Jennifer understood that this victory would be the beginning of a lifelong mission to advocate for these children and their families to create a more just and loving world.
When she isn't writing books or blogging, Jennifer educates organizations, individuals, families and schools about the unique challenges gender diverse and transgender children and their parents live with every day: working with siblings, bullying, handling issues at school, transitioning, using appropriate bathrooms, creating name changes, using correct pronouns, talking with family members and friends who don't understand and meeting all life's challenges and successes with honesty, honor and humanity.
Be Who You Are is the first in a series of children's books designed to open hearts and minds about transgender/ gender diverse children. Jennifer wrote Be Who You Are for her two children who longed to have a book that reflects the love and acceptance that resembles their own family. To schedule an interview, book signing or speaking engagement at your organization, school or local bookstore please email Jen@JenniferCarrBooks.com.
Illustrator Biography
Ben Rumback is an artist, illustrator, Lesbain, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) ally and child educator. His attention to detail in the creation of his artwork and his talent for bringing text to life led to his illustration of Be Who You Are written by Jennifer Carr. Ben incorporates small details that feel brand new yet timelessly classic.
Clever in his approach to illustration, Ben creates an entire world around his characters so that he knows exactly what they had for breakfast, what they read the night before and what they'll be doing later that day. This insight lends a 365 degree view that comes through in each illustration. The familiarity in the art warms the reader to the character like a host introducing two friends at a party.
Ben grew up in a small town in Kansas, locally famous for its salt mines and state fairground. After studying painting and drawing at Kansas University, he started teaching at a Montessori school. Shortly after, Ben was named artist in residence. In 2007, Ben moved to Chicago with his wife Martha. When he isn't making art he assumes his other role as Mr. Ben, a beloved preschool teacher.
Enjoy more of Ben's creations at www.BenRumback.com. To schedule an interview or book signing event please email BenRum@Gmail.com.
