All kids deserve fairy tales
In Promised Land, a children’s book written by Chaz Harris and Adam Reynolds, a prince and farmer fall in love. It’s a sweet, illustrated story that helps fill the absence of queer representation in children’s literature.
And now, for World Book Day in the UK, the whole story — illustrations and all — is available on YouTube.
‘We know there are a lot of people in our community who are still not aware the book exists,’ Harris told GSN. ‘By releasing it in full on YouTube, we hope we can raise some more awareness about it and the work we’re doing to make children’s literature more inclusive.’
When the book first came about on Kickstarter, it gained the attention of people like Ian McKellen.
Now, though, anyone and everyone can enjoy Leo and Jack’s love story.
The video includes the 32 original illustrations by Christine Luiten and Bo Moore. It’s narrated by Geraldine Brophy with a soundtrack by Tane Upjohn-Beatson.
The kind of book kids need
Talking about the inspiration for Promised Land, co-author Reynolds said: ‘We wrote the kind of book we needed when we were growing up, because love is love and everyone deserves to live happily ever after.’
It’s also a source of happiness, comfort, and hope during trying times.
‘With the increase in violence and intolerance the LGBTQ community has been experiencing in various countries around the world this past year, we felt it was important to share our story’s message of love and acceptance for all to see,’ Harris added.
He also said representation is crucial. Why? ‘Because if we don’t see ourselves in stories, we don’t see ourselves in the world’.
The book is also available via their website.
They have another book coming out in June, this time with female protagonists and a pirate theme.
