Today I’m welcoming Pamela Morgan, a playwright, director, and now we are celebrating her debut as a children’s author! Her book, SIMPLY SKYE, illustrated by Heather Bell releases 7/11/23! It’s a story of self-acceptance and breaking gender stereotypes, published by Amicus.
I’ve known Heather since our debut group in 2019 and her artwork has always impressed me. When I heard about SIMPLY SKYE, I asked if I could meet Pamela to see if she’d like to be featured on the blog and I’m very excited to share our interview and some details about this wonderful book. Also, I’ve been spotlighting a different book on Twitter every day in June to celebrate #PrideMonth 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ and am thrilled to include SIMPLY SKYE as part of my 30 books in 30 days.
Pamela is generously offering one lucky winner a zoom classroom visit. Comment on this post to enter the giveaway!
What were you like at the age of your target audience?
I was definitely good at manipulating my parents to get what I wanted (which was usually to get my older siblings in trouble – youngest of five.) I was also always “performing” for invisible crowds in my living room when no one was watching.
What inspires you?
I’d have to say three things. First, seeing a great theatre performance with someone else who wants to spend all night talking about it and picking apart what we did and didn’t like, and what did and did not work. Second, working with other creative people, whether in a reading or workshop, in collaboration, etc. Finally, and most importantly, my two kids.
What’s the one thing you hope your readers take away from your book?
I hope my readers take away the knowledge that they have the right to be their authentic self, no matter what their peers, parents, or the government says about it. I believe everyone deserves a loving and supporting family like Avi’s, and I wish everyone has the bravery and space like Avi does, to be their true and awesome self.
What’s next for you?
I’m actually heading out of town next month for the Words of Wonder fellowship, to work on a children’s book about a spider who’s afraid of people. I graduate with my MFA in Creative Writing this July, and I have a few other things in the works that I can’t share … yet.
To learn more about Pamela and her upcoming books and performances:
@affirmedmom; https://twitter.com/affirmedmom
@pamelamorganwrites; https://www.instagram.com/pamelamorganwrites/
Pamela Morgan Writes; https://www.facebook.com/AffirmedMom
@pamelamorganwrites; https://tiktok.com/@pamelamorganwrites
Laura Roettiger Books 
Congrats to Pamela and Heather! Everyone should have the right to be fully themselves.
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Jilanne, thanks for reading. Yes, everyone needs to see themselves in books and be comfortable being who they are. I look back on some of the children I grew up with and wonder how different things would have been if we had been raised in a different era. Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thank you so much for reading and you’re right, everyone SHOULD have the right to be fully themselves 🙂 It feels like lately a lot of people are trying to tell us and our children that we can’t, but I’m hoping the more books like Simply Skye that are out there in the world, the more it becomes normalized.
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It’s wonderful to see a children’s book about being non-binary! So needed! I’ll be sharing this with colleagues and ordering a copy for my own collection.
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Thanks, Kathy! It’s a wonderful book and handles the topic beautifully in a child friendly way. I’m so excited for this book to be out in the world! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thank you for reading and sharing with your colleagues! I know Heather and I both hope that this book reaches all the kids that need to see themselves on the bookshelves 🙂
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Congratulations to all! I think a teacher in Texas was recently fired for reading a book about a nonbinary character, which speaks to how important this book is. Kids should be able to see inclusivity is not divisive.
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Thanks for reading and supporting this important topic, Lynn. I’m appalled when I hear of book bans and teachers coming under fire, let alone being fired for helping students see themselves in books. Good luck in the giveaway.
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I should have said that I wanted to comment, but please don’t enter me in the giveaway as I’m not a teacher:–)
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Every day I’m hearing stories about what’s going on in Texas, Florida, Utah, Missouri, Arkansas, South Carolina, and on and on. They’re trying to erase people who don’t fit the “norm”. Thank you so much for reading the interview and I hope you’ll share the book with any teachers, parents, and librarians you know!
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Congratulations, Pamela and Heather, on an essential and beautiful book! The message is one we desperately need in the world right now.
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Thanks for reading, Stephanie. It’s really a critical topic and so well handled in this book in a child friendly manner. I’m happy to know it will be available soon! Good luck in the giveaway.
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Thank you so much for reading it and I agree, it is a message we desperately need! Heather and I both hope this book gets to all the kids that need to read it, and maybe changes some minds of adults 🙂
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What a beautiful message! Congratulations Pamela & Heather! Thanks for hosting the interview and giveaway, Laura.
P.S. I’m not teaching at this time, but will share the prize with a teacher friend, if I win the giveaway (or please go ahead and choose a teacher who commented to win, I just wanted to make sure to write a comment).
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I love that, Jill! I agree this book had an amazing message! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your kind words.
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💕
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