Both on and off the screen, Taraji P. Henson showcases her authenticity, leading with light, love and passion. Whether she’s bringing to life one of her many infamous characters or using her own line of hair care products on her curls, she always remains true to herself.
Released on June 18, the award-winning actress and mental health advocate’s debut children’s book follows the story of Lil TJ, a younger version of Henson, as she navigates starting a new school. She enters the school eager to learn and make friends. However, when she encounters a boy named Beau, who seems to have a problem with everything she does, Lil TJ begins to shrink and dim her own light. After getting more advice from her Grandma Patsy, Lil TJ decides to be herself and lead with love. In doing so, she discovers the beauty and power of her individuality.
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“Sometimes people are going to take things out on you because they’re not happy,” Henson told a group of little readers at her publication day celebration hosted at The Lit Bar. “But, if you are happy and you stand in your joy, you can change their heart. It takes a brave, bold person to be themselves. That’s your power, and no one can take that from you unless you allow them to.”
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Henson’s picture book serves as a fun interactive way to instill invaluable life lessons into a young audience. Through the use of characters, like Grandma Patsy, children are taught at an early age to the impact of good relationships. While these relationships require nurturing and patience, it is always worth it. These impactful connections ultimately help you grow and make you a better person, which is something that is portrayed within the pages of the book.
The story also shows readers that they don’t have to change in order to fit in. Instead, the right people and energy will come when being yourself. Overall, Henson hopes that this novel inspires everyone to live as their true selves and lead with compassion and empathy.
“The moral of the story is don’t change who you are, and most times when you do you, you gain fans because people are afraid to live out loud and be themselves,” she said. “When you do that, you become a hero – someone who inspires. We all have to be confident in who we are and be proud of who we are because there is not another human on this planet who is like you, and that’s your superpower.”
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