If you're after a children's book that'll make grown-ups cry, look no further than My Shadow is Pink by Melbourne dad and best-selling author/illustrator Scott Stuart.
Inspired by Scott’s own son, the story is one of love and self-acceptance, and touches on the subjects of gender identity, inclusion and diversity.
In a family where everyone has blue shadows, this book is about a young boy born with a pink shadow who, more than anything else, loves to wear dresses and dance. An empowering tale about daring to be different and having the courage to be yourself, the story began when Scott's son Colin wanted to dress up as Elsa to go to the cinema.
Scott's response? There would be NO way his son could do that... alone. The resulting TikTok video amassed almost 5 million likes.
"Just a Dad breaking down gender stereotypes, one dress at a time," the father captioned the video on social media.
With the TikTok video inspiring a beautifully illustrated children's book, Scott is now hoping to develop their story into a short animated film.
"This story was born out of my own experience with my son when he first fell in love with Queen Elsa," the author explains on the project's crowdfunding page.
"Coming home from childcare one day, he was completely distraught from being bullied because he had an Elsa doll. That night I started writing the book behind this film, and started envisioning this on screen."
"Coming home from childcare one day, he was completely distraught from being bullied because he had an Elsa doll." Source: Supplied
He continues: "I truly believe this film can give young kids permission to be true to themselves, even when it's uncomfortable. To allow young kids who break gender stereotypes to see themselves represented on screen, and let them know that they are perfect, just as they are."
With the film's $75,000 fundraising goal already exceeded, it seems the dad's vision will soon become a reality.
"When I shared the story of my son & I dressing up like Elsa to go to the cinema, I was overwhelmed with gratitude by the support we received, but at the same time completely heartbroken by the amount of messages I received from people who wished that they had been given that same acceptance as kids," he writes.
"People who didn't see themselves represented in a positive light until well into adulthood."
