Taraji P. Henson will make her children’s literature debut later this year.
Zonderkidz will publish the actor’s You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!), illustrated by Paul Kellam, this spring. The press says the book will be “a conversation starter about mental wellness, an important lesson in friendship and handling tough social situations, and a testament to the importance of standing proud in one’s own uniqueness.”
Henson is known for her work in films including Hustle & Flow, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Hidden Figures, and in the series Person of Interest and Empire. She is the author of a previous book, the autobiography Around the Way Girl.
Her children’s book will follow a young girl named Lil TJ, who is eager to make friends on the first day of school. She encounters a bully at school but learns to stay true to herself despite his mockery.
Henson announced her book in a video on Instagram, saying, “Mental health struggles can start even in childhood, and oftentimes it starts with being bullied. This book isn’t just about being bullied, though. It’s about how children all have something different about them, and being different is what makes them so special. So this book is for the kids who feel different. This book is for the parents who want their kids to accept differences.”
You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) is scheduled for publication on June 18.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
