There’s something so awesome about a children’s book where the main character is, well, a canvas for culture—as well as a role model. Meet Apricot Brown, star of her own book authored by New Yorker Dana Drucker-Solano and beautifully illustrated by Sky Hand Zan. Dana based the character of Apricot Brown on someone she knows well—herself, of course. “As a young girl, my identity was always a topic of conversation,“ she explains. “Growing up in a multicultural and interreligious family I learned early on that I was different.”

Embrace YOU

Dana’s mom would tell her, “We all have dimensions, no matter what you look like or where you are from.” Dana thought for sure someone, at some point, created a character or role model for kids that truly reflected the rainbow of beauty that is America and the millions of kids in the world born into diverse families like she was. However, when Dana discovered one didn’t exist, “I knew I had to create one. Using my life as inspiration, I created Apricot Brown: Miss. Undefinable.” Dana adds, Apricot, is a character who “uses our diversity as her superpower, igniting everyone to be all that they are--unleashing their freedom to explore and craft an identity that is uniquely their own.”

Apricot Brown, says Dana excitedly, shows all children, “to be undefinable is to dream free and examine who they are on the inside, though the multicultural melting pot of our great country!”

The mission

Designed and written in an impressive, eye-popping 3Dcomic-style book, Apricot Brown hits all the major issues parents face to spark a dialogue with their kids on identity, self-esteem, bullying, diversity and race, “as well as reflecting on what it means to embrace our innate fluidity,” explains Dana.

“To express and ultimately choose how you identify--despite what the world says—is the dream I had for children when writing this book” which is recommended for ages 5+.

Looking within

Apricot Brown teaches parents and kids alike that every day is anew opportunity to learn something new about yourself, through others. “By opening your heart to all of our cultures, styles, and philosophies we move beyond tolerance and enter the space of Love, Respect and  Celebration of all that we are, embracing the vastness of our humanity and a world of multitudes,” explains Dana. “Young readers will be introduced to the idea that we are so much more alike than different! Ultimately, crafting your own identity, on your own terms, means being true to all that you are inside—the book teaches that. My hope is that readers will awaken to our common threads and unite as one!”

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Tune in for a live reading of “Apricot Brown” by Dana

on our facebook page live 9/30 at 11am on the page here!

Xoxo

Liza