BOOK CELEBRATES DIFFERENCES

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Published on Sunday, 11 December 2011 17:56

Thankfully, I was raised in a family that taught me that all people were acceptable. As I grew up many people come in and out of my life because my father was in the military. Many single young men, all colors and creeds, ended up as a guest at our Thanksgiving table every year. So as I grew up my life included a variety of people. I had a black boyfriend, a white boyfriend and a black roommate before college. I had a close friend that was Vietnamese and my best friend since the age of 16 is half Filipino and half black. In college, my closest friend and roommate was a gay Hispanic guy. Then I followed my heart and fell in love with, and married a black man. I have biracial children who mean the world to me. This world I live in is so normal to me. This world I live in is what I thought life was all about. Unfortunately, every one doesn’t seem to agree. So I wrote Kindergarten Colors.

Kindergarten Colors is a book about a biracial little girl who can’t wait to see what Kindergarten is all about. She is ready to take on her first day of school, leaving behind her mother, who will now spend her days alone. The main character, Sydney, loves to color. So why not be excited when her first assignment is to draw a picture of her family? Sydney gets ready by getting out the colors that best fit her family’s skin tones and placing them just so. But before she even begins, a loud mouth bully starts questioning her about why she has out so many crayons and poor Sydney is left stunned.

The story then goes on to teach a lesson about the differences in families and people. The children learn that everyone is not the same. Some children live in families with just one parent, or maybe they were adopted. Other families have parents of different races, while some kids live with grand parents or aunts and uncles. And after learning that their class mates all live in colorful worlds, the teacher shares her multi cultural crayons with everyone and of course, the bully reaches out to Sydney and everyone is happy.

I only wish life were as simple as my book. I hope people will buy it and share it with others, whether it is for your own children, a niece or nephew, or any child you know that lives in a “different” world. There has been a lot of unnecessary sadness lately simply because one person didn’t have the guts to stand up for another one, or because someone was taught hate, instead of love. If I can help one person out, because they read my book, then I did my job. Many people have a hard time explaining that it’s ok to be different, so sitting down and sharing a story may be easier. I feel fortunate that I grew up in a world that is open to differences.  I am hoping that as time goes on, the world will become one big melting pot, kind of like my little world. Kindergarten Colors is available online at www.vmgbooks.com. For a personalized copy email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .