Thank you for your interest in interviewing Cheryl Kilodavis.
For all requests, please contact the PR team at contactus@myprincessboy.com or fill out the form at Contact Us.
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February 2012
Dear Editor/Producer,
Many four-year-olds want to be a princess. But what if that child is a little BOY, not a GIRL? One year ago, Simon & Schuster published My Princess Boy and that question continues to be addressed by the national and international community. Author Cheryl Kilodavis shares, “My Princess Boy stands for accepting differences. It’s for the child who is adopted, the overweight child in class, the kid with cultural differences or different ability’s – it’s a tool to end bullying and teach us how to support people who feel and express themselves differently.”
Originally self-published, My Princess Boy tells the tale of a four-year-old boy who happily expresses his authentic self by wearing traditional girl clothes, from dresses and jewelry to tutus and tiaras. The story is a true story based on the author’s son and the unconditional love and support he receives from his family and friends. The book also addresses the challenges he and his family have encountered when others don’t understand the princess boy’s uniqueness. Shortly after Simon & Schuster saw a version of the self-published book, it was rushed to national publication and set off a movement that has only continued to grow since January 2011.
No one could have anticipated how many people the book would speak to and how many lives it has touched. Thousands of people have reached out appreciating the book’s positive message, using it at home or school as an anti-bullying teaching tool about acceptance. The book has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and People magazine. Cheryl has appeared on The Today Show, Nightline,and Dr. Phil (to name a few) to discuss the book and its message of acceptance. The book also hit #1 on Amazon’s “Movers and Shakers” List.
Scores of bloggers and readers have praised the book, and many have spoken out to say that they know a Princess Boy or have a Princess Boy at home. Currently, the My Princess Boy Facebook fan page has 12,530 followers, with new likes daily. Cheryl is available for interviews, and if you would like to schedule one or would like to receive an additional review copy of the book, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely,
Paul Crichton, Director of Publicity Siena Koncsol, Publicity
Paul.Crichton@simonandschuster.com Siena.Koncsol@simonandschuster.com
MY PRINCESS BOY Written by Cheryl Kilodavis and illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone ISBN 9781442429888; $14.99/$17.99 CAN • All Ages |
Aladdin Paperbacks • Simon Pulse • Atheneum Books for Young Readers • Little Simon • Simon Spotlight
Margaret K. McElderry Books • Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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November 29, 2011
CONTACT: Harvey Leeds
INFO: 917-421-5326
-Media Advisory-
First Anti-Bullying App to Teach Acceptance
The nonfiction children’s picture book My Princess Boy is now an iPad and iPhone Application (App), turning the books’ positive message into the first anti-bullying interactive app, fostering conversations of acceptance. The app is now available on iTunes iPad store and is being labeled a top holiday gift for the iPad and the new iPhone 4.
Author Cheryl Kilodavis says her long-term goal is to use innovative technology to keep acceptance and anti-bullying conversations going. “It’s important to reinforce positive affirmation messages where children spend a lot of their time, and that’s playing Apps.” Kilodavis was contacted by experienced app developer Demetrius Bassoukos, who was moved by the story, to help make the message more accessible through innovative technology.
A first of its kind, the My Princess Boy storybook app integrates positive messages through animated characters while integrating educational, fun games. Children are able to play music, make characters dance, and ask and answer important questions such as ‘Would you laugh at the Princess Boy?’ or ‘Would you play with him?’
Kilodavis speaks around the country about her book and parenting journey, and what she calls the acceptance movement – identifying herself as an adult that modeled bullying behavior when she initially redirected her son from traditional girl things to stronger boy things. Kilodavis states, “Children acknowledge differences, and even embrace them. These apps reinforce those positive affirmations about what you would do if you see someone different.”
The app can be purchased in the itunes store here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myprincessboy/id476229266?ls=1
About the Author Cheryl Kilodavis
Simon and Schuster published My Princess Boy, a nonfiction picture book about acceptance of a 4-year-old boy who happily expresses his authentic self by enjoying “traditional girl” things like jewelry, sparkles or anything pink, in January 2011. Cheryl has been on national and international TV shows, remained a consistent guest on The TODAY Show, deemed a “parent expert of acceptance” by Dr Drew, covered in The New York Times and in PEOPLE Magazine, and delivers “acceptance keynotes” at Fortune 500 companies and universities. Her initial message on a local TV show of her then self-published book went viral on Facebook selling more than 1000 books in a week and received ¼ million views on YouTube. Currently at 11 million monthly Yahoo search results. Cheryl’s next book, My Princess Boy Has A Champion, is due out in early 2012.
About Developer Demetrius Bassoukos
An interactive designer and programmer based in Denver, Colo., Demetrius Bassoukos is the creator of iPad applications such as My Princess Boy, Simulated People, and is known in the industry for pushing the boundaries of technical possibilities. His past clients include DC Comics, Trailer Park Entertainment and Sony Entertainment.