“Be Yourself”
Little Jo
by
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“Little Jo”
Little Jo is just about six, he has something to be told that just couldn’t be fixed.
Jo is a five year old boy growing up in a very stereotyped world.
What is a boy toy, what is a girl toy?
Adults mark and label what it is a boy child or a girl child should like, wear, and play with. This is a major challenge for Jo, who likes and enjoys gowns, crowns and dolls.
Anyone looking in could clearly see Jo is different and unique from the rest.
His parents try everything to get him on the “normal” path.
Seeing the unhappiness, move in the direction of accepting and loving him just for being himself.
This is the 1st story to many ongoing day to day challenges for Little Jo.
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About the Book
Six-year-old Little Jo is happy and he loves to play, but not in the usual boyish way. He doesn’t like bats, balls and toys on springs, but he instead prefers dolls, gowns, crowns, and plush animals with sounds. It’s difficult for Little Jo growing up in a stereotypical world where adults decide and label what constitutes a girl’s toy and what determines the appropriate toy for a little boy.
His parents try everything to get Little Jo to play with the right toys and to act the right way, but it’s his grandmother who sees Little Jo is different and unique from the rest. She gives him a present that is perfect for him.
Based on a true story, Be Yourself, by author Jo Mesiti, shows children--through words and pictures--that no matter what, it’s okay to just be yourself.
About the Author
This is Little Jo
in 1997,
he actually wore those glasses
till he was about 11.