Six‐year‐old author, LaNiyah Bailey, released her debut book, Not FAT Because I Wanna Be in April 2010. In her book, LaNiyah details the struggle of Jessica, a fictional girl who has an underlying medical issue that causes her to gain weight. Bullied by her peers, Jessica learns to accept her body and eventually opens up about her condition to her classmates.
What I love about this book is my family can relate to Jessica, and LaNiyah and her family’s struggles. Despite eating a healthy diet, which includes vegetables, salads and fruits for over the last two years, LaNiyah has been bullied by her peers for both the size of her stomach and the amount of time she spends in the bathroom. My son also had this same problem in his early school years. The reason? An enlarged colon…just like LaNiyah. When her doctor discovered her enlarged colon, LaNiyah immediately started medication and an exercise program with a personal trainer. Because of the diagnosis and treatment, LaNiyah felt better and gained enough confidence and self‐esteem to share her story.
There are many kids going through similar situations with bullying from body size to the way they speak. My son was lucky enough to grow out of this medical condition; however, some kids are not as lucky. And even though my son did finally shed some of his weight as his colon finally started to function properly, he still struggles with body image.
Even though this book wasn’t around when he was younger, I’m able to share it now with my middle child who happens to have a speech impediment. My daughter has also faced bullies at school because she is hard to understand at times. Even though she doesn’t have an issue with weight the struggles are still hard. As a mom and writer, I am happy to help LaNiyah share her message.
LaNiyah stated, “I just wish this book can help other kids like me... and I wish it can help people see that [even though] you might be big that you are not unhealthy or… a monster like people may make you feel.”
With a message that words can hurt and that not all weight gain is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, LaNiyah Bailey hopes her book will enlighten and entertain her young readers. She has already taken her message beyond the pages of her book with a World of Ink Virtual Tour and speaking publically for the first time at the African‐American Youth Day Festival.
Not Fat Because I Wanna Be
Written by: LaNiyah Bailey
Publisher: Createspace/Bright Girl Publishing, Inc
ISBN Number: 978-1461006763
Publication Date: March 2011
Genre of Book: Children’s Picture Book
Genre of Book: Children’s Picture Book
Book Blurb:
Six year old LaNiyah Bailey has a message for bullies and teasers alike: "Just because I look different doesn't mean that I'm not human or I am a monster like people make me feel. I'm just like you, a beautiful human being."
“Sometimes, I would not tell mom and dad how bad it really was. I’d go home and cry, cry, cry.” ‐ From Not FAT Because I Wanna Be
Stories for Children Publishing will be touring youth author LaNiyah Bailey and her book, NOT FAT Because I Wanna Be all month long in August 2011.
You can find out more about LaNiyah Bailey, her book and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/LaNiyahBailey.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with LaNiyah and her mother, and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions. LaNiyah will be checking in throughout the tour and is offering an additional giveaway for those who leave comments throughout the tour.
In addition, come listen to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. The hosts VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Chirstopherson and Irene Roth will be chatting with LaNiyah and her mother about NOT FAT Because I Wanne Be, being a youth writer, publishing a book and her experiences along with tips on how to deal with bullies.
The show will be live August 29, 2011 at 6pm EST. You can tune in at the World of Ink Network site at http://www.blogtalkradion.com/worldofinknetwork. You can listen/call in at (714) 242-5259. (Note: if you can’t make the show, you can listen on demand at the same link.)
Book Giveaway!
1. Join the Book Lovers Blog Hop. (One entry)
2. Follow the World of Ink Tours and leave a comment per tour blog stop. (must leave a real comment about the author, tour or book. Saying “this is cool” or “I love your book” will not count.) Make sure to include your safe email so we can contact you if you are the winner. Example: vsgrenier AT storiesforchildrenpublishing DOT com. (One bonus entry per blog stop)
3. Ask a question per World of Ink Tour blog stop. (One bonus entry per tour blog stop)
LaNiyah Bailey's Next Stop will be on August 3rd
Roth’s Inspiring Books & Products – Book Review http://rothsinspiringbooksandproducts.wordpress.com
To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit Stories for Children Publishing at: http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com