Daddy Writer To Be – Writing for Children

For many years, I had a dream to write a children’s book. My passion of becoming a father inspired me to write a children’s book.   

 As a child who questioned their own gender identity, I wanted to write a story that can speak for children, who felt the same as I did when I was a child or even children who have friends that feel different.   When I was younger, I didn’t have anyone to talk to or express my feelings when I felt different than everyone else around me.

 I wrote The Name I Call Myself, with illustrations from Cathryn Jones , my super talented illustrator and friend. We’re both so lucky and blessed that Arsenal Pulp Press will be publishing the book in fall of 2020.

 Arsenal Pulp Press has published incredible books such as Vivek Shraya’s The Boy & the Bindi, Kai Cheng Thom’s From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in Sea, and Catherine Hernandez’s latest I Promise. It’s very thrilling that our children’s book The Name I Call Myself will be in the same company as these exceptional titles by authors who I look up to and admire always.  

 When I read news articles about children committing suicide because they were bullied for being different, it pains me to observe such intolerance and ignorance.  

 I was that kid who was bullied for being different. I didn’t have any books to read that gave me  hope. I would cry in my room and hide from everyone so that no one can see me crying. 

 I wrote The Name I Call Myself because I believe the story can give hope to young kids, who feel different; that they can be loved and accepted and are able to achieve great things in life just by being true to themselves.

 I was reading a news article the other day about 8-year-old girl, who had to withdraw from a Christian school (not by choice) because “she looked too much like a boy” and “other students were confused”.

 This is why we need more children’s books that help spread a positive message of acceptance of others’ differences.  

As a daddy writer to be, I’d want my chid Malek to read a book that he can relate to. Even if he won’t feel different inside, he will have a friend that will, so he will know to accept and appreciate everyone for who they are.  

 As a daddy writer to be, I thank Arsenal Pulp Press from the bottom of my heart for not being afraid to share these important marginalized stories with the world.

 As a daddy writer to be, I urge more writers of children’s books to touch on these timely topics as I believe it can potentially save lives.