What would it be like for kids to live in a world where there are no boy or girl toys, clothes, activities or gender role expectations? Pink, Blue, & All the SHADES of You! embraces and celebrates a colorful spectrum of gender and expression. The diverse group of kids in the story are encouraged to be themselves and to do what makes them feel happy. Why wait until kids are all grown up? Let them know now that there are infinite possibilities for who they can be and that there is no wrong way to be exactly who they are!
As author Phoenix Schneider lives in the West, illustrator Isa Goldfarb will be reading the book, and diversity educator Sherry Paris will be on hand to help discussions.
Author Phoenix Schneider
Isa Goldfarb is a local artist and illustrator. She graduated from Boston University’s School of Fine Arts with a BFA. The various mediums of art she has done include calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts, murals (particularly for children’s rooms), and she had a tie-dye/silkscreened clothing business in CA. Isa lived in the jungle in Costa Rica for ten years before returning to Philadelphia where she works as a massage therapist.
Phoenix Schneider, MSW, is a trans educator, coach, writer, and speaker who specializes in training, direct services, and program development to support and empower LGBTQ+ and gender diverse communities. He was born and raised in Bucks County PA, and graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Psychology. He moved to D.C. to work for nonprofits that were making a difference in the lives of others. From D.C, he moved to New York City where he obtained his Masters in Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work. Soon after, he continued on his journey across country to Los Angeles, where he spent six years as the Program Director with The Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention organization supporting LGBTQ youth. In 2013, Phoenix founded his consulting company, Coach Phoenix, and provides LGBTQ inclusion trainings and coaching to schools, nonprofits, corporations, and other institutions throughout the country.
When Phoenix's niece Destiny was 5-years old, she told him that she thought that she was a boy like her uncle because she only liked to play with "boy toys". When he told her that all toys were for every kid of every gender, and that she could be a boy, girl, or any gender and like any toy, she said, "Oh, ok! I think I am still a girl then". She happily went back to building her LEGO house. Phoenix's niece inspired him to write his first children's book, "Pink, Blue, & All the SHADES of You!" Phoenix hopes that the book can help kids who are getting mixed messages about gender, gender expression, roles and expectations understand that there are infinite possibilities for who they can be and how they can express themselves.
Phoenix currently resides in Phoenix, AZ with his partner Jessica and their 3 fur-babies Jack, Punky, and Cleo. They all love to hike and travel together as much as possible!