PRESS RELEASE, BELOW.
Inclusive new picture book illustrated by award-winning Steve Antony, created not just for children – but by children– with Alexandra Strick. Publication Oct 2021, Otter-Barry Books, World rights available
Most children’s books start with a team of adults and end up in the hands of children. You Can evolved differently. It started with children from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. And children have remained central throughout the project.
You Can is an innovative concept developed by Alexandra Strick. Through several years of consultation, young people aged 8 to 18 were asked what they would say to their younger selves to inspire, reassure and enthuse them about the future. You Can represents their answers.
Brought to dazzling life with a ground-breaking visual narrative by Steve Antony, we see 14 diverse characters grow from babies, to toddlers, to young children, to older children and finally into young adults. The cast of characters is truly diverse in every way, as their many different interests, identities, friendships and futures develop before the reader’s eyes.
This empowering book reminds every child that they can be themselves, with its messages of inspiration, empathy, reassurance and hope. And never have such messages been more important than now. You Can’s young contributors shared their ideas through meetings, emails and video calls throughout the book’s development. Their contributions were powerful, astute, often touching, sometimes funny. The young people come from a wide range of different backgrounds and experiences and include members of the network of Inclusion Ambassadors.
“I am so proud and excited about this very special book.” Steve Antony, illustrator
“This highly inclusive picture is unique in so many ways, not least its child-centred origins and its hugely inclusive delivery... Steve and I would like to thank every single individual who contributed.” Alexandra Strick, author
“This book will bring a lot of smiles to a lot of faces when children in different situations, from different backgrounds and facing different challenges find themselves in the story. In its beautiful illustrations they will be able to connect and feel “seen” and empowered.” Zainab Ahmad, Inclusion Ambassador, author and entrepreneur
“We are honoured to be the publishers of this ground-breaking book, working with the incredibly talented Steve Antony and Alexandra Strick.” Janetta Otter-Barry, Publisher, Otter-Barry Books
