Kei The True Friend

This story was inspired by my biracial Japanese and African Canadian son Kei who initially has trouble adjusting to life in Japan after moving to Japan from Canada. I created this beautiful book, to help children see that there's always room to include others. The story is a great lesson in the importance of friendship, in helping children who are bullied or more shy students, and how small acts of kindness can make all the difference.

I want children to be able to see themselves in this book and understand that it does get better and that other people not accepting them doesn't mean something is wrong with them. I feel that this book Kei The True Friend is very practical in nature because it models for teachers, parents, and children how they can solve the problem of bullying in Japanese schools and create peace.