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Monday, October 17, 2011

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be
by LaNiyah Bailey
illustrated by Laura Perez Ricaud
publisher- CreateSpace
publication date: March 2, 2011

Young author LaNiyah Bailey writes a very moving story.  In a courageous manner she addresses the issues of bullying and childhood obesity.  She is an overweight child and both kids and adults at her school tease her about her weight.  She learns the hard way that the saying "Sticks and Stones..." is not true.

LaNiyah is afflicted with a medical condition that causes her weight to be elevated.  She eats healthy foods and despite this she is bloated.  She sees a doctor who does tests and xrays.  He is able to help her.  As she explains this to the other children, they slowly begin to accept her for who she is, not what she looks like.  An important lesson for all of us.

LaNiyah is a beautiful and courageous child.  To utilize her pain and suffering and create such a wonderful educational tool is an act to be commended.

LaNiyah writes a pledge at the end of the book, I think it is important enough to copy here:
"I AM BEAUTIFUL, I AM LOVED
I WILL NOT LET WHAT OTHERS SAY DEFINE ME
BULLYING IS NOT COOL!!!"

Please check out the website that accompanies the book
The website deals with the issues discussed in LaNiyah's book.

The book can be purchased at the above website and at Amazon.com





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