By Ruba Hattar
Have you ever felt you had to pay the price of standing out as somewhat different than others in your class, club or work. Have you you had to prove yourself or wait for the right moment where your special talents are needed to save the day?
Inspired by a true-life incident, Made By Raffi is the story of a little boy who likes to knit and sew -- at first he is teased for his hobby, but in the end he becomes a hero to his class.
"Raffi feels different from the other children at school. He doesn’t like noise and rowdy play. When he discovers the delights of knitting and sewing, he stands out even more. But when he uses these new skills to make a costume for the school play, his classmates become rather more appreciative. A celebration of difference and a challenge to gender stereotypes." This is fascinating story aimed at ages 4-7. It is written by Craig Pomranz, illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain and published by Janetta Otter-Barry Books/Frances Lincoln.
Made by Raffi is now published in 8 languages and 11 countries so far.
"I wrote the book to support young boys and girls who are perceived as "different" because of their appearance or hobbies. It is a funny colorful book with a serious message and will interest those who care about promoting diversity and embracing our differences, as well as all children seeking to fit in," Craig Pomranz.
Made by Raffi is shortlisted for the Little Rebel Children’s Book Award.
Craig Pomranz is an internationally known singer/song-stylist, actor… and author. Made By Raffi is his first children’s book with illustrations by award-winning artist Margaret Chamberlain. The book is published in six languages and distributed in eleven countries to date. The Chinese edition was just released and he is thrilled to see the Korean version in the next few months.
As a performer Craig received New York’s MAC Award for Best Male Vocalist in 2012. His popular CDs “More Than A Seasonal Thing” and “My Heart Don’t Skip A Beat” can be heard on radio stations around the world and are available on iTunes, CDBaby and his website www.CraigPomranz.com.
Margaret Chamberlain is a well-respected illustrator of children's books. Her books for Frances Lincoln includenbsp;Has Anyone Seen Jack?, Look Out He's Behind You, Tales from Grimm, My Two Grannies and My Two Grandads.
2/2 When he discovers the delights of knitting and sewing, he stands out even more. But when he uses these new skills to make a costume for the school play, his classmates become rather more appreciative. A celebration of difference and a challenge to gender stereotypes. Ages 4-7 pic.twitter.com/iEsgPUwZIH
— Julie McCrossin AM (@JulieMcCrossin) January 28, 2019
Many of us worldwide are still trying to be ourselves despite the conventions of our communities and try to move forward. It is inspiring to see success stories of Arab male ballerinas, models in in Yemen and activists in Sudan.
Iconic Lebanese-American author and artists Gibran Khalil Gibran said in his book The Prophet:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday...
