MEDIA RELEASE: OCTOBER 28, 2019
NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK CELEBRATES THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDCHILDREN
VANCOUVER, BC – Tracey Wimperly, a Vancouver-based communications professional, has channeled her passion for storytelling into writing a children’s book called, “Fridays with Fitz: Fitz Goes to the Pool.”This 44-page picture book is based on one of the countless adventures she and her husband, Steve, have had every Friday with their three-year-old grandson, Fitzgerald (Fitz).
“While there are plenty of children’s books featuring grandparents, most portray them as sedentary and elderly,” said Wimperly. “Not today’s grandparents – and certainly, not my husband Steve and I! Like us, most grandparents are young-at-heart, active and highly involved in raising our children’s children – and we’re shattering the storybook stereotypes of ‘granny’ and ‘gramps’ in the process.”
“Fridays with Fitz” also subtly normalizes different kinds of families for kids and adults alike: the little boy just happens to have a Papa and a Daddy. Fitz’s stories of adventure are about a kid doing kid things with his grandparents along for the ride: his dads simply show up from time to time. Myriam Dumont, founder of Queer Families of Vancouver, says, “As an elementary school librarian and queer parent, it is lovely to see queer families represented/normalized for preschoolers.”
Jillian Roberts, child psychologist and author of several children’s books comments, “[This] delightful story re-imagines grand-parenting and family dynamics in a way that is more reflective of the 21st century. It is filled with lovely illustrations as well as a childhood sense of wonder and creativity.”
“I enjoy sharing our family’s stories about our grandson and the adventures we’ve had with him over the past few years,” said Wimperly. “However, I also hope that “Fridays with Fitz” will kick-start necessary conversations about intergenerational relationships, embracing all kinds of families and all kinds of love.
“Fridays with Fitz”is a wonderful look at how energetic grandparents serve as fantastic role models for children. The artwork by Rose Mason is whimsical, and gives the story an adorable flare,” says Jeff Lynch, primary school teacher. “As well, the subtle inclusion of same-sex parents supports the normalization of differentiating households.”
“Fitz Goes to the Pool”is the first book in the “Fridays with Fitz”series. Two more stories are in the works for release in 2020. The book can be purchased online at fridayswithfitz.com or in person at Parliament Interiors, 115 Water Street, Vancouver.
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Note to media: For more information, sample artwork from the book or to request a copy of the book, please contact the author:
traceywimperly@shaw.ca
604.341.2243
“While there are plenty of children’s books featuring grandparents, most portray them as sedentary and elderly,” said Wimperly. “Not today’s grandparents – and certainly, not my husband Steve and I! Like us, most grandparents are young-at-heart, active and highly involved in raising our children’s children – and we’re shattering the storybook stereotypes of ‘granny’ and ‘gramps’ in the process.”
“Fridays with Fitz” also subtly normalizes different kinds of families for kids and adults alike: the little boy just happens to have a Papa and a Daddy. Fitz’s stories of adventure are about a kid doing kid things with his grandparents along for the ride: his dads simply show up from time to time. Myriam Dumont, founder of Queer Families of Vancouver, says, “As an elementary school librarian and queer parent, it is lovely to see queer families represented/normalized for preschoolers.”
Jillian Roberts, child psychologist and author of several children’s books comments, “[This] delightful story re-imagines grand-parenting and family dynamics in a way that is more reflective of the 21st century. It is filled with lovely illustrations as well as a childhood sense of wonder and creativity.”
“I enjoy sharing our family’s stories about our grandson and the adventures we’ve had with him over the past few years,” said Wimperly. “However, I also hope that “Fridays with Fitz” will kick-start necessary conversations about intergenerational relationships, embracing all kinds of families and all kinds of love.
“Fridays with Fitz”is a wonderful look at how energetic grandparents serve as fantastic role models for children. The artwork by Rose Mason is whimsical, and gives the story an adorable flare,” says Jeff Lynch, primary school teacher. “As well, the subtle inclusion of same-sex parents supports the normalization of differentiating households.”
“Fitz Goes to the Pool”is the first book in the “Fridays with Fitz”series. Two more stories are in the works for release in 2020. The book can be purchased online at fridayswithfitz.com or in person at Parliament Interiors, 115 Water Street, Vancouver.
-30-
Note to media: For more information, sample artwork from the book or to request a copy of the book, please contact the author:
traceywimperly@shaw.ca
604.341.2243
