A local author has created a campaign to help get his new LBGTQ children’s book “The Boy with the Rainbow Heart” published and printed. The book is about “love and acceptance for all people – no matter what color a child’s heart may shine.”
Will Mason, a graduate of UB with a master’s in social work and a former school social worker intern, saw a lack of children’s books available with LBGTQ themes. His sister is also part of the LBGTQ community and when she came out as a teenager, Mason saw how difficult it was for her to be treated differently at school and at home.
“It really inspired me to create the project,” said Mason. “When we were writing ‘The Boy with the Rainbow Heart’ I wanted to make sure we incorporated the LBGTQ community as well as the straight community and I got great input on both sides so that the book made sense for really everyone.”
Mason designed the book so that children of all genders, cultures, and ages can relate to the boy who “grows up in a town of Gray but because of his kind and colorful heart, he is able to change the town of Gray into the town of Shine!” He also wrote the story so that it was friendly for the classroom. He hopes the book will be a good resource for kids, parents, and teachers who are trying to find a way to discuss the topic of kindness, love, and acceptance.
If you’re interested in learning more about “The Boy with the Rainbow Heart” campaign, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/2114819346/the-boy-with-the-rainbow-heart-an-lgbtq-childrens. The goal of the project is to provide free copies of the book to every elementary school in the Buffalo Public School system.
