All People Are Beautiful celebrates diversity and highlights the beauty of our differences. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I truly believe diversity is reality and that children need to know that our differences are what unite us, not divide us. I think this message is so important for kids to be exposed to until it becomes unconsciously integrated — until it becomes a truth they know deep down! I truly feel the conversation of diversity never gets old and can never be talked about too early. I feel our differences help this world be a really cool place to both live and love.

The art in this book is delightful and beautiful. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Cha Consul?

My partnership with Cha was kismet. Cha is an absolutely phenomenal illustrator. By the time we connected, I already had in my mind what I thought the illustrations would look like. Cha took my vision, added her creative flare and gave my words a face.

It was important to me that readers got to see bright colors, different skin tones, features, and faces of children from all over the world in this book. Cha helped me achieve that goal and I’m grateful. It was great to work with her because she loves diversity just as much as I do.

Interestingly enough, All People Are Beautiful was the first children’s book she ever illustrated, so I feel very special.

Because of COVID, locations, and our time difference, we did all the collaboration for All People Are Beautiful virtually from opposite sides of the world. Cha is based in the Philippines and I am based just outside Nashville, Tennessee, so there were lots of virtual video calls to make sure we aligned on the presentation.

I am forever grateful for her artistry and I am looking forward to working together again in the near future!

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?

I want readers to take away that everyone is beautiful regardless of what you look like, where you’re from, your culture, your hobbies, or anything else that makes you different. I want readers to know we like different things and that’s OK. Our differences are what unite us, not divide us. I want kids to know that it’s cool to talk about our differences in fun and interactive ways.

Do you plan to write more children’s book on this or other topics?

So I’m a true ENFP and a Creative, so I’m always on the go! I’ve actually recently finished writing a few new stories.

I’ve written a really cool story about a group of animal friends that decide to switch places for a day and realize it’s no fun being someone else. This is definitely another diversity themed book. I’ve also written another book about beautiful rainbows and the things the colors remind us of.

Both are books for early readers so I’m looking forward to sharing these with children everywhere.

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