Young people need to read books and see films about other children who look like them and are going through similar experiences. Church Hat is a children’s book available in Toronto at A Different Booklist, Another Story Bookshop and on Amazon about a revealing conversation between a young black boy and his traditional, conservative, Jamaican mother when she finds him playing dress-up, trying on her fancy hats. Instead of being in trouble, he experiences a joyful exchange that gives him the comfort of knowing that he can be curious and questioning without judgement or trauma.

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Beautifully illustrated by artist Janine Carrington, the rhyming narrative captures a parent's loving guidance and the joy of a child's emotional safety in being accepted in a home where he knows he belongs.

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It's a story for the whole family. If you are looking for a way to talk with your child about feelings that they are questioning, this bedtime story has tolerance and encouragement with a positive message on supporting a child to be their authentic self. Silence creates secrets, and ignorance can lead to fear. 

Buy a copy on Amazon and share how love always wins.

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Now being made into an animated short film via collaboration between Church Hat the Film Inc. and the Baltimore Filmmakers Collective, a not for profit team, 

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Follow Debra on her creative journey on the following Instagram pages:

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• Publication journey at @mybestlifebooks   

• Film making progress at @storytoscreen