Photo:Film Independent; Williejane

Film Independent; Williejane

Who’s In Charge?is aimed at children ages 2-5 and explores the rights of kids “to take charge of their own bodies, voices, and choices,” according to a press release from Candlewick Press. Allain and Klion, who have been friends for over 40 years since they first met at an off-campus radio show when they were students at UC Santa Cruz, each had their own experiences that inspired the book’s topic. Allain recalls a memory of her granddaughter, who was born during the coronavirus pandemic, and who had “been kept aside” before a vaccine was available.

Candlewick Press

Klion, who is a survivor of sexual assault, per the Candlewick Press press release, says she reflected on past experiences, which helped inspire the book for her.“I began to put together pieces of my past. And so when certain things came to light in my head and mind about abuse from the past, of course I called Stephanie,” Klion says.

“We just started having this conversation about how important it is for kids to learn at the very outset that their body is their temple, and that they have agency over every part of their body,” Allain adds.

Stephanie Allain.Film Independent

Film Independent

It took Allain and Klion one week to write the book. After Allain brought the project to her agent, the two found themselves in a 3-way book auction within three days.

“Sometimes art just comes together organically and easily,” she says. The title, she notes, is also a play on her job as a producer: Allain says she always says, “I’m in charge,” and the book presents a new way of looking at that.Klion also agrees thatWho’s In Charge?will provide young readers with a sense of self-worth and agency, and that is a large part of its influence.“I really hope that from reading that book and experiencing that story, that they will feel self-empowered, that they have their agency over their own bodies, voices, and choices,” she says. “That’s kind of our line from that. They are their own best advocator, and it’s important to honor that autonomy.”

Jenny Klion.Williejane

Williejane

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source: people.com