“Last night I tucked my son in bed and said “Good night sweet pea, I love you…  you are my Princess Boy”.  He quickly looked at me and said “What did you call me mom?”  I said “My Princess Boy.”  He looked at me, gave me the biggest smile and said “I like that name, thanks Mom.” “

“As an early childhood educator, thank you so much for writing this timely book.  In the face of all the bullying of children who “don’t fit the mold,” a book of this nature makes it ok to be different. “

“Please continue with your message.  Your son is extremely lucky to have such a supportive family!  I wish all children had that!”

“You are an incredible inspiration, truly wonderful.  I have been following your stories recently and am so thrilled you are bringing this topic truly *to life.* “

“A million Thank you’s And a million more…  from a Chicago mom to an amazing princess boy. “

“I am proud to now say I thank my son for teaching me about embracing individuality.  But this truly started to evolve more because of you, your family and your story.”

“My son will one day hear the story about how a part of my soul *opened up* when I heard a very similar story about a beautiful family, the Kilodavis’, who live in Seattle.”

Hear From More Champions Around The World

Thank you for sharing the story behind “My Princess Boy”. I was very moved by you.I love your points about the book’s message of inclusion, not just mere tolerance, and celebrating the unique person within us all.

I’m so impressed by the obvious love, strength, support and beautiful, down-to-earth intelligence and kindness with which you all treat one another.  (And your son’s teacher and school faculty are amazing, too.)  You are all fortunate, indeed.  Thank you for fostering truth and beauty in the world.

Thanks for being a ‘Warrior for Love’

Thank you so much for this book.  I hope more people read this book.

On behalf of all of the men in the Bible Belt – THANK YOU!  It’s about time someone showed love for a boy – Just. As. He. IS!  Bless you Cheryl.

 Hear From Champions Around The Globe!

I just ordered your book this morning after a dear friend handed me an article about your family from people Magazine. I have my very own delightful princess Boy. Like Dyson, my son is 5 years old and has loved pretty things since he was 2. We watched your video clip and he said, “I wish Dyson lived in our state. He could come over and dress up with me.”

Good luck to you in your efforts both to raise your children without stereotyping and to help other children who experience the world their own way.

I read about you in this week’s People magazine.  What great parents you are– you accept your child with all his likes and dislikes, and don’t try to change him.  I was blown away by your story.

Dear,Cheryl — KEEP DOING GREAT WORK!!!!!!! THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT ARE UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTING!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Dear,Dyson –  YOUR FIERCE!!!!!!

I can’t tell you how grateful I am for what you are doing. After raising 4 children to be tolerant of all lifestyles and races, my husband and I are now proud grandparents of a very distinctly “Princess Boy.”

I think you are the type of mother we all hope we can be.  I try to support my children in all their creative expressions and by sharing your son’s story with the world I believe you will help others see that it isn’t about what our children play with or what they wear that makes them good adults…it’s the love and support that we as parents give them.  Thank you for being such a wonderful role model to mother’s everywhere.

This book looks absolutely amazing. I was also very happy to see the school and teachers supporting you and your son. Children should know the joys of life before they begin to experience all the hate and hurt. Thank you for the book and for standing up. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy and read it with my son. I’m positive it will become a quick favorite.

I’m the mother of a 6-year-old girl and think the message of your book is awesome, and much needed!  I loved your honesty during the interview when talking about your son, and I love your message.  Acceptance in action.  Yes!!!

I cried watching your show b/c I can so relate to everything you said. I love my princess boy and just want him to be happy. That is it.

I feel God blessed us with accepting men.  His brother and my husband are both very supportive of our Princess Boy and what he wants. Thank you soo much for bringing this out and writing a book on this.

How wonderful that the book and your family have been so well received.  The amount of love you and your beautiful family is being showered with is moving.

I admire you so much Cheryl!

I can’t communicate adequately the depth you have touched me with the story behind My Princess Boy. This touches me so deeply.

Thank you for being a voice.  I have nothing but love for you and your beautiful family.  If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Thank you for writing this book!

It is very refreshing to hear about a family who is accepting and loving

First let me say congrats to you for allowing your son to be who he is, not many parents would have opened their arms and hearts to this situation.

I am an elementary school counselor and just saw the article in People’s magazine.  I saw your website and added it to my favorites under “education!”  Amazing mom you are teaching such a wonderful lesson not only to your son but to the world!

Your. Family. Is. Amazing.  I express a deep heartfelt thank you for being a pioneer in this new and unbelievably unchartered territory.

Cheryl, again THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!  Your book will positively change our lives in such a powerful visual way.

MY PRINCESS BOY:

“I think it’s fantastic…I think that what it tells us is that these boys, their parents, and the social world is no longer the same…There are people who need this kind of information and this kind of help.” –Dr. Ken Corbett, author of Boyhoods: Rethinking Masculinities, discussing My Princess Boy on The Today Show, January 3, 2011

“Dyson’s mom lets her son be exactly who he is and she celebrates it…I would call you (Cheryl) my expert having lived through this.”—Dr. Drew Pinsky, Dr. Drew Show, April 2011

“Truly inspirational!”—Perez Hilton, PerezHilton.com, October 2010

“I actually love this book…This is an age-appropriate way to communicate the message of acceptance…I fully support you supporting your son…We need to teach our kids that different is okay and let’s be inclusive.”—The Dr. Phil Show, Dr. Phil, December 2011

“Great message of tolerance and acceptance, and if there was more of this, we would have no wars.”—Sharon Osborne, The Talk, December 2010

“I think you’re a very interesting family, that you have so much support from your husband…and from your son…It’s a great thing, I congratulate you.”—Joy Behar, The Joy Behar Show, January 2011

“The book was a hit, its message about acceptance as much as gender…and suddenly Cheryl has become an accidental activist…Dyson seems to be perfectly happy just being a Princess Boy.”—Nightline, ABC News, August 2011

“DeSimone’s illustrations are colorful, bright, and positive. Children may ask why the people depicted have no faces, which may spark discussions about how we are all the same. This is a book about unconditional love, social acceptance, and a strong family. It is also a call for diversity, tolerance, and an end to bullying and judgments.”—School Library Journal, June 2011

“For Dyson, it’s a way of being creative. It’s not really a gender issue for him. He identifies as being a boy. He’s a happy, happy kid. He’s very creative…I love that the family is supporting his passion.”—Psychologist Dr. Debora Vilhauer 

 “Wow! I was truly blown away…by this story of unconditional love, acceptance, and support and tolerance…Is there a powerful message in this book for our kids? You bet!!!”—Words By Mom (WordsByMom.com)