FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Carr, Jen@JenniferCarrBooks.com, www.JeniferCarrBooks.com
BE WHO YOU ARE - A MUST READ NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK
For and About Gender Non-Conforming and Transgender Children
July 10, 2010 – Be Who You Are, the new book written by Jennifer Carr and illustrated by Ben Rumback is being released Fall 2010. The book is the first of a series designed to educate children, siblings, parents, family, friends, caregivers, educators and the community about gender non-conforming and transgender children.
Be Who You Are tells the story of Nick, a child who has known he was a girl inside for as long as he can remember and follows his journey of self awareness. Nick's parents provide a supportive environment where Nick expresses himself without worry or judgment. However, everyday life outside of Nick's home is far less accepting.
School dictates that Nick should stand in the boy's line, use the boy's bathroom and draw a self portrait of a boy. Some family members don't understand either. Nick's personality changes from a happy child to a sad and often angry child who withdraws.
Nick's parents seek help from Dr. Bee, a therapist who helps gender non-conforming children, giving Nick another person to speak with about his feelings. Nick comes to a critical decision about living authentically for the first time and transitions to living as the person she knows herself to be, a girl. Nick's parents and little brother understand that they are changing in the transition as well. They pay close attention to using the correct pronouns and the new name she has chosen- Hope.
The story gently speaks to the unique challenges gender non-conforming and transgender children and their families encounter. As an education tool, Be Who You Are raises Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) awareness and starts a conversation about how each of us are different, yet we are all the same.
Be Who You Are was created to open the hearts and minds of all people, young and old. The theme of being true to yourself is applicable to all, yet critical for this group of children who are most often mislabeled, dismissed, bullied, physically abused, homeless and ultimately often suicidal because they haven't been given a voice, until now. They are truly just children who want to live as themselves.
This book is designed to demystify gender non-conforming behavior and transgender children, create a character for children to identify with and provide a language for families, friends, caregivers and educators who may not know how to help a child with gender non-conforming behavior.
The series will continue with the main characters, Hope and Will, and address some of the inherent hurdles these children and their families face including how to cope with bullying, build self respect, find support and resources, educate ourselves about gender identity, get the schools proper awareness and training, speak with friends and relatives who don't understand, prepare for puberty, be a supportive sibling, handle other people's mistakes in public and more.
Jennifer is currently scheduling interviews, book signing events, and public speaking dates for the Winter 2010. As a sign of gratitude for her dedicated international readership on her blog, Be Who You Are is being translated into several languages and created as an e-book with a target date of 2011.
Jennifer Carr is a writer, blogger, public speaker and advocate for gender non-conforming individuals. She shares her journey of self awareness inspired by parenting her transgender child on her internationally celebrated blog www.TodayYouAreYou.com. Jennifer's family searched for books that mirrored their own unique, loving, supportive family life. When they could not find a single book they could identify with, they decided to write one.
Ben Rumback is an artist, illustrator, LGBT ally and child educator. His attention to the creation of his artwork and his talent bringing text to life led to his illustration of Be Who You Are. Ben incorporates small details that feel brand new yet timelessly classic. Enjoy Ben's creations at www.BenRumback.com. Contact him at BenRum@Gmail.com.
“Reading Be Who You Are, I was touched by the acceptance and love that all the characters had for young Nick who becomes Hope. Nick’s desire to be a girl is met with misunderstanding by others. But his parents, and especially his brother, realize that Nick needs to be who he needs to be, a girl named Hope. Hope’s story is shared by so many families, and yet so many families need to know that they are not alone and that others do care and love people like Hope. I am thankful to the author for writing a book that I am sure other families will read and find solace in knowing that people do love you for who you are. Please read this book and find security and courage in Hope’s story.”
Peter Ji
President PFLAG Northern IL Council
Leader PFLAG Chicago Metro Chapter
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