New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/author-calls-out-trump-using-his-childrens-book-as-political-fodder/

Trump uses Aussie authors childrens book as anti-trans political fodder

Australian children’s author Scott Stewart has called out President Trump for using his book My Shadow Is Pink as a political football against trans people.

US President Donald Trump has used the children’s book, My Shadow Is Pink, to reinforce his anti-trans policies at a meeting of his Religious Liberty Commission.

Trump used Australian author Scott Stuart’s book in a meeting where he vowed to protect prayer in public schools.

Announcing he would be donating his personal bible from his presidential inauguration to the Museum.

“The Bible is also an important part of the American story.” Trump said before welcoming 12-year-old Shea Encias to the podium.

Shea was there to share his experience in a California school when he was in fifth grade.

“I’ve been a Christian my whole life, and Jesus means everything to me,” Encinas said.

“When I was in fifth grade, my school forced me to teach my kindergarten buddy about changing his gender using a book called My Shadow Is Pink.

“The book said, you can choose your gender based on feelings instead of how God made us.

“I knew this was not right, but I was afraid of getting in trouble.”

“After my family spoke up, the school treated us badly,” Shea continued,

“And kids started bullying me and my brother because of our faith.”

“And the school did nothing to stop it. It hurt a lot. But I kept trusting God.

“I believe kids like me should be able to live our faith at school without being forced to go against what we believe.

“I hope no other family has to go through what mine did.”

President Trump then reiterated his administration’s stance to remove transgender ideology.

Trump welcomes 12-year-old Shay to share testimony on faith in schools.

The California student says children should not be forced to act against their beliefs, calling for protection of religious freedom in education. #WashingtonEye pic.twitter.com/8qhbauyU48

— Washington Eye (@washington_EY) September 8, 2025

It’s not about culture wars or politics 

In 2021, Scott Stuart went viral when he helped his son have the confidence to dress as Elsa from Frozen by wearing the costume as well.

He turned the experience into a series of children’s books teaching kids that it is okay to be themselves.

“The irony is that my books are about acceptance,” Stuart posted on Instagram.

“Whether they are my books or others, kids need to see themselves in media and also see people who are not like them.”

“It builds empathy and acceptance, two things we are needing much more of today.”

With some of his books banned in US states, Stuart shared he had received hate-filled e-mails after Fox News aired the video with a 12-year-old and President Trump.

“The irony here is that they want acceptance for their beliefs, but not to extend that acceptance onto others,” Stuart said.

Sharing that his ‘My Shadow’ books are “not about culture wars or about politics or about winning arguments.”

“They are about kids.

“They are about helping kids be who they want to be without prejudice

“Allowing kids to wear what they want to wear without being bullied and believing what they want to believe, feeling safe and accepted doing so.”

My Shadow is Pink is a beautiful children’s book based on the real-life experience of Australian author Scott Stuart and his son.

Because the book touches on the subjects of gender identity, self-acceptance, equality and diversity, it has been used as a lightning rod for controversy, especially overseas.

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Scott Stuart (@scottcreates)

It’s not just a shadow, it’s your innermost you

Stuart wrote the book after his son was bullied for liking Elsa from Frozen and dressing up like her.

It tells the story of a young boy whose shadow is pink, and who likes things people say are “not for boys”.

One of those things is wearing a dress and twirling around.

He feels out of place surrounded by so many blue shadows, hoping his will change one day.

And on the first day of school, the class is encouraged to share their shadows favourite thing.

While nervous for his son, the father takes him to school happily wearing a dress.

Embarrassed by how the other children looked at him, the young child rushes home, vowing not to wear a dress again.

But then his father appears in a dress and tells him that he accepts him for being his authentic self.

“Pick up that dress, you must listen and learn,” the book reads.

“You’re shadow is pink, I see now it’s true. It’s not just a shadow, it’s your innermost you.”

“Your shadow is you, and pink it will be, so stand up with your shadow and yell. This is me!

“And some, they will love you and some, they will not, but those that do love you will love you a lot.”

President Trump continues to target the trans community in the military, in schools and in sports.

On his first day in office, he signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”.

Source: My Shadow is Pink

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/my-shadow-is-blue-explores-toxic-masculinity-for-kids/

'My Shadow is Blue' explores toxic masculinity for kids

Children’s author Scott Stewart’s new book My Shadow is Blue is a gentle book exploring toxic masculinity.

After Scott’s son was bullied for wearing Elsa’s Frozen dress his book My Shadow is Pink was given life.

Scott looked for media that reflected the experience of boys with ‘traditional girl’ interests.

Not finding anything he decided to make his own.

Next came My Shadow is Purple, a children’s book about a boy whose shadow wasn’t that of a girl or a boy.

This month he released My Shadow is Blue a children’s book exploring toxic masculinity.

Looking at how we redefine it to be inclusive and empathic, empowering girls to chase their dreams.

  View this post on Instagram

  A post shared by Scott Stuart (@scottcreates)

Bringing something new to the conversation

“I’ve been asked for years to write a My Shadow story about a girl,” Scott told QNews,

“I’d written about a boy who breaks gender stereotypes and a child who exists beyond the binary,”

“But after writing dozens of drafts about a girl, something wasn’t right.

“A girl breaking gender stereotypes is a conversation we’ve had a lot over the past decades.

“With every draft, I didn’t feel like I was adding anything new to the conversation.

“Then I heard about the term ‘male flight’.

“Men partake in an activity they love, then women join and are good at it, suddenly the men don’t like it.

“This gave me the spark I needed to add something different.”

My Shadow is Blue is a story about a girl who loves to run and joins the running team.

But on the running day, she is sent back with the other girls (who aren’t as good) so the boys can go first.

She must navigate the bias of her coach and look to everybody around her to stand up for her.

How does this all get broken down into a children’s book?

“Writing sequels is easier because you already know the world your story takes place in, which takes time to figure out.”

“But at the same time, it’s more difficult,” Scott said, “because you want to make it better than the book that came before.”

“Distilling the idea of being non-binary or existing in blue or pink to something kids would understand was really challenging.

“So were the ideas in My Shadow is Blue, because you need to get them to a level that a three or four-year-old can understand.”

Inspiring at any age

“The trick is to come to the absolute simplest version of the idea,”

“They’re keeping girls out of a sport because boys are threatened.

“Then it’s finished fifteen drafts later.” Scott laughed.

The beauty of the My Shadow books is they are powerful and inspiring at any age.

It’s been five years since My Shadow is Pink, a long time in children’s years.

But Scott is excited for the response from readers of different ages.

“I’m super grateful that these books have potentially shaped young kids’ lives.”

“There’s a responsibility I feel to not just get it right for the kids who are going to be reading this for the first time,

“But also the ones who have grown up with these books and want to live up to their legacy.

“These stories came from such a personal place in my own life.

“When other adults reach out saying how it’s impacted them as well is so special.

“And if you’d like to grab a copy, I encourage you all to head to your local bookshop and get one.

“They are struggling right now and supporting them would be fantastic.”

If you haven’t read any of the My Shadow books (to a young person or for yourself) we can’t recommend them enough.

Grab a copy of My Shadow is Blue at all great bookstores.

How to be a Real Man by Scott Stuart

Scott Stuart encourages boys to embrace who they truly are in this empowering and funny story, smashing age-old assumption about what it means to be a man.

Encompassing boys and men from different backgrounds, and told in irresistible rhyme, How to be a Real Man is a must-have picture book for all young readers.

Men should be STRONG with helping hands. Men should FIGHT for what is right. Men should be BRAVE and show how they feel.

This is a colourful book exploring many things boys and men might enjoy - or want to try - but feel isn't for them. (If the man in the tutu on the cover didn't give it away!)

Written in rhyme, and beginning with traditional expectations for men before moving on to less "conventional" activities, this book would work for girls, too.

“Guys like your grandfather, they all knew one thing: that it’s a helluva lot easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Colonel Steve Trevor honors Memorial Day by mentoring young soldiers at Arlington and then making a dramatic and ultimately suave exit via helicopter.  I’LL BUY IT!