Wendy Starbright grew up in Boxville, where everyone wears cardboard boxes wherever they go. Depending on their career, some said their name, doctor, soldier, baker, etc. on the front of them. Wendy didn't want to be labeled as just a box. She knew there was more to her than that. She asked her mom why she wore a box only saying "mom." She replied, "in life we must make choices and mine was to be a mom." Wendy's dad told her that she hasn't found the right box yet.
One day, she left the house without her box, which created quite a stir in the neighborhood. Wendy ignored it, until she got to school where her classmates made her feel weird and like she didn't belong. When she went home that day she had a talk with her parents. The next morning she awoke to her parents without their boxes on as well. "Different talents make you, you! We all should do anything and everything we want!" they said. They reinforced that she was unique, special, and Wendy was surely proud of it. Her and her family left Boxville to live in Freedomland.Intended Readers: Ages 4-8
Although the readers may be young, incorporating a brief form of the first Amendment, focusing on freedom of speech and religion. More so, showing students that there is no one label for any individual & that coming to school should allow them to show deeper sides of their talents, creativity, or differences.
Here's a short clip of Fran Drescher explaining how her new children's book, Being Wendy, helps kids be more accepting of others:
The Doctors w/ Fran Drescher
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