When I was born, I weighed 7 lbs and 10 ounces, and I was 19 inches long. According to my dad, the doctor said I was a “big girl”. Boy, was he right! Yes, I am plus size, but I am also a woman with many interests, hobbies, and a very strong desire to enjoy life to the fullest.
If you grew up juicy and luscious, would you have liked to see characters in books and TV shows that looked like you?
I know I would have LOVED it! Always being the bigger girl in class, at the pool, or in the schoolyard, was really hard on my self-esteem and it made me doubt myself for many years. Thankfully, I fell in love with fashion and was able to find empowerment through that.
But young girls of all sizes need constant reminders that they are beautiful, unique and valuable, regardless of what the scale says.
When I came across Dwayna L. Morse’s children’s book, I was thrilled to see she wanted to be that voice of positivity and support for young girls.
Check out my Q&A with this inspiring author!
Natasha: What prompted you to write this book?
Dwayna: As a child, I didn’t see many children’s books that had characters with the same body type as mine. So I thought it would be cool to write a children’s book with a full-figured child as the main character in a positive light.
Natasha: Growing up plus size, what were some of the biggest issues you dealt with?
Dwayna: Shopping for clothes was hard when I was a child. Trying to find age appropriate clothes for an 11-year-old in the teen and women’s sections were difficult for my mom, but she made it work. Some doctors would also be rude and inconsiderate at appointments. When I was playing basketball for my high school, I went to go see my doctor for my annual check-up. My doctor told me that I was too fat to play basketball and I needed to stop. I also dealt with inappropriate comments about my weight at family functions.
Natasha: What are the hardest issues young people face being plus size?
Dwayna: I would definitely say having low self-esteem. They have so many people telling them to hate themselves because they do not look a certain way. Bullying, whether it is in school or on social media, results in these children being ridiculed and attacked because of what they look like.
Natasha: What should a reader take from this book?
Dwayna: I would like for the readers to know that no matter what, if you’re different from other people, that is the very thing that makes you beautiful and when you add a good heart and positive attitude that makes you Beautiful Inside and Out.
Natasha: How would you advise a young person dealing with low self-esteem issues?
Dwayna: I would tell that young person that there will always be someone out there who has something negative to say, but realize that they are saying those things because of their own insecurities and what they are really going through themselves. Stay strong, positive, and just know you are not the issue, the negative people are. Distance yourself from the drama and the negativity, if possible. Stay focused on school and things that make you happy and love yourself just the way you are.
Natasha: If you could give your younger self advice, what would you say?
Dwayna: I would tell my younger self to never stop dreaming and that people’s negative opinions of you are irrelevant.
Natasha: Where is the book available for sale?
Dwayna: The book can be purchased at Amazon!
Natasha: What are three things people should know about the book?
Dwayna: This book is for children from ages 3 to 100. Whatever the child’s difference is, the book was written to help that child embrace it. Also, I wanted this book to open up a conversation between a child and their parents.
2016 is the Year of the Curve! Everyone, young and old, is seeing this. Dwayna Morse is a wonderful addition to the forward-thinking group that is showing the world that it is our differences that makes us beautiful!