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Guelph nurse pens transgender children's book

Deanna Clatworthy's new children's book Millie's Wonderful Day is a transgender child's coming-out story, and how love and support can make a positive impact
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Guelph clinical nurse Deanna Clatworthy has published her first book Millie's Wonderful Day.

A Guelph clinical nurse is now a first-time published author.

But Deanna Clatworthy admits "the difficult part starts now," with her new children's book Millie's Wonderful Day, the coming-out story of a transgender child, and how love and support can make a positive impact.

"I had a grandchild, and I wanted to sort of have somewhat of a legacy to leave for him," she told GuelphToday. "I was encouraged through reading stories to him that I wanted to write my own stories for him that we could share together."

She said she wrote many books, inspired by people and events in their life, whether in their time as a dance teacher, a nurse or in their family life. One of the things she noticed was the lack of inclusive books that teach about diversity.

It's something Clatworthy heard from their patients, and wanted a book for their grandson that teaches the importance of acceptance.

"Sometimes I hear similar themes in coming out stories, and unfortunately a lot of the themes are not always positive," she said.

"I see the devastation and the negative effect that it can have on folks, and so I wanted to create a story that has a very positive, loving effect on the person who's coming out, and show how that can make such a big difference for someone."

The story is geared toward children six to nine years of age.

The story starts off with a young child named Billie, who meets with their family at dinner.

"(They announce) that they would like to start growing their hair, and that they also have thought a lot about it, and they've realized that they are a girl, and they would like to be called Millie."

The story takes readers through Millie's day, as their decision gets accepted by family members, teachers and students. Millie's brother, Clatworthy said, has a bit of a struggle but eventually sees how positive things have been and comes around.

New York-based transgender artist Blake Sebastian provided illustrations for the book.

Finding a transgender person to do the illustrations was important to Clatworthy. 

She wasn't allowed to hire any of their patients because of a rule around their nursing licence, so she went about a search and found Sebastian online.

The two collaborated on what she was looking for, and Sebastian was able to create "exactly what I kind of saw in my head."

Clatworthy said it wasn't difficult for her to write a book like this and gear it towards children, but admits the tough part begins now.

"I'm sure not everyone is going to embrace the message behind this," she said. And while I think it's important for transgender folks to have books with characters that they recognize in themselves, for me this is a story that I hope people who are not trans will read, and maybe understand how important that acceptance and love is."

She added Millie's message at the end of the book expresses how she knows not everyone is as lucky as she is, and hopes one day everyone feels accepted.

"I don't know if a book can make all of that kind of a change," Clatworthy said. "But I hope even if it changes it for one or two people, it's important."

The book launch will play a part in Guelph Pride events, taking place Saturday, June 17 at 2 p.m. at Out on the Shelf. The launch will feature a live reading of the book by Clatworthy, and copies will be for sale.

You can also pick up the book at The Bookshelf, or online at Friesenpress or Amazon.


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Mark Pare

About the Author: Mark Pare

Originally from Timmins, ON, Mark is a longtime journalist and broadcaster, who has worked in several Ontario markets.
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