Author Spotlight: LaNiyah Bailey - Debut 6-year-old Author

LaNiyah Bailey is a 6‐year‐old author with a message for children like her – just because you are bigger than other kid, that doesn’t mean that people have the right to bully you.

In her debut book, Not FAT Because I Wanna Be, LaNiyah details the struggle of Jessica, a fictional girl who has an underlying medical issue that causes her to gain weight. Bullied by her peers, Jessica learns to accept her body and eventually opens up about her condition to her classmates.

LaNiyah is not only speaking to other children through her book, but has become an advocate for anti‐bullying organizations. With a message that words can hurt and that not all weight gain is due to an unhealthy lifestyle, LaNiyah hopes her book will enlighten and entertain her young readers.  

“I just wish this book can help other kids like me...and I wish it can help people see that [even though] you might be big that you are not unhealthy or… a monster like people may make you feel.”

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be

Written by: LaNiyah Bailey 

Publisher: Createspace/Bright Girl Publishing, Inc

ISBN Number: 978-1461006763

Publication Date: March 2011

Genre of Book: Children’s Picture Book

Book Blurb:

Six year old LaNiyah Bailey has a message for bullies and teasers alike: "Just because I look different doesn't mean that I'm not human or I am a monster like people make me feel. I'm just like you, a beautiful human being."

“Sometimes, I would not tell mom and dad how bad it really was. I’d go home and cry, cry, cry.” ‐ From Not FAT Because I Wanna Be

You can find out more about LaNiyah Bailey, her book and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com/LaNiyahBailey.aspx. There will be giveaways, reviews, interviews, guest posts and more. Make sure to stop by and interact with LaNiyah and her mother, and the hosts at the different stops by leaving comments and/or questions. LaNiyah will be checking in throughout the tour and is offering an additional giveaway for those who leave comments throughout the tour.

In addition, come listen to Blog Talk Radio’s World of Ink Network show: Stories for Children at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/worldofinknetwork. The hosts VS Grenier, Kris Quinn Chirstopherson and Irene Roth will be chatting with LaNiyah and her mother about NOT FAT Because I Wanne Be, being a youth writer, publishing a book and her experiences along with tips on how to deal with bullies.

The show will be live August 29, 2011 at 8pm EST. You can tune in at the World of Ink Network site at http://www.blogtalkradion.com/worldofinknetwork. You can listen/call in at (714) 242-5259. (Note: if you can’t make the show, you can listen on demand at the same link.)

Book Giveaway Rules:

1. Join the Book Lovers Blog Hop. (One entry)

                          2. Follow the World of Ink Tours and leave a comment per tour blog stop. (must leave a real comment about the author, tour or book. Saying “this is cool” or “I love your book” will not count.) Make sure to include your safe email so we can contact you if you are the winner. Example: vsgrenier AT storiesforchildrenpublishing DOT com. (One bonus entry per blog stop)

3. Ask a question per World of Ink Tour blog stop. (One bonus entry per tour blog stop)

To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit Stories for Children Publishing at: http://storiesforchildrenpublishing.com