I think that with something that is as big as this book is to me, I’ll likely always remember my first sale. One of my friends bought it and she was the first friend who read the sample from start to finish right in front of me. It’s special that she was my first official buyer.

Last night she read the book to both of her sons. They reviewed it and gave their feedback. Their words were so touching. I’ll include them here for you.

Her 7-year-old son said that his favorite part was that Myron, “got together with people. I think that his parents were scared he wasn’t getting along with people. At the end of the book Myron was perfect.” I should also point out that he had also said, “drumroll please.” I love that the arc of my story for him was that Myron found a way in which he could be supported socially. I also like that he implies that Myron may be different and is perfect.

Her 11-year-old son had a slightly different take on the book, which you would expect with an older child. First off, he liked that Myron visited his doctor. That made me happy because she’s a crone character and is the older me in the book. A crone is an elder who can provide guidance and sometimes can use magic.

The 11-year-old also said that he liked “how his parents helped him deal with his issues and he felt safe enough to tell his parents how he really felt.” That’s the ultimate parenting dream, really. When your children can share something so vulnerable with you because they know that you’ll keep it sacred and provide help or guidance–that’s parenting magic.

These boys are really in touch with their emotions. They see a bit of themselves in Myron which was unexpected for me. I had set out to tell a tale about gender non-conformity and being able to embrace that fluidity so as not to stifle it. Pushing down emotions is physically and mentally destructive. I have told many kids over the years that they have balloons in them and letting the air out very slowly with skills that they can employ and work for them is a good way to prevent popping.

I’ll leave you with something else that her older son connected with in “The Appearance of Myron.” He said that he “knows what it feels like to have big feelings and how it can feel confusing.” I think that most people know that many emotions are less comfortable to hold. It’s encouraging to me that this book; although, it’s about gender identity, can encourage children who hear the story and embrace their “big feelings.”