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Jonathan Van Ness’ first children’s book is all about representation

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Photo on Instagram (@jvn)
Photo on Instagram (@jvn)

Jonathan Van Ness is known as a star on the Netflix series Queer Eye, for work on the parody webseries Gay of Thrones, and for hosting the Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness podcast.

They're also a queer rights activist.

On top of everything else they're doing, Jonathan has written a children's book about a non-binary guinea pig called Peanut.

The book paints a picture of Jonathan's childhood, accepting being different from other children and learning to live as truthfully and freely as possible.  

What does non-binary mean? 

Gender binary refers to the two genders that humans are assigned to at birth: boy or girl. 

Gender non-binary refers to when a person does not identify as either female or male: non-binary people exclusively do not belong to any gender and may choose pronouns such as 'they' and 'them' instead 'him' or 'her'. 

To those new to the concept, it can sometimes seem tricky, because some non-binary people choose to partially identify as each gender.

Non-binary gender pronouns
Non binary pronouns

Why this kind of book?

It is no secret that as much as we birth children and would like them to be extensions of who we are, that is not always the case.

Each person is different and those differences should be celebrated, and normalised. 

"Growing up, the things that made me unique were not always celebrated, and I wanted to do something that would inspire kids to celebrate the things that make them special," Jonathan shared in an exclusive interview with People

Peanut Goes for the Gold

(Peanut Goes for the Gold: Photo from HarperCollins Publishers)

What's it about?

Peanut Goes for the Gold is a voice for kids who know they are different, but feel like they are not seen.  

The book is about Peanut having their own way of moving through the world. Peanut is a unique individual and when they decide to become a rhythmic gymnast they do it their own way.

I can already see this book being a best seller!

Tell us what you think. Would you buy this book or no thank you?

Peanut Goes for the Gold will be published by HarperCollins Children’s Books on March 31, 2020.

Sources: PeopleVery well mind

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