TEACHING BLACK CHILDREN SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH CHILD PLAY | New Dolls are Fun for Kids, Great Tools for Grandma and Older Moms | Oct 2004

Move over, Barbie! Stand aside, Ken! Award Winning Author and Harlem native Wanda Thomas is launching male and female dolls, based on characters in her children's books, designed to build self esteem in black youth.
Shanika and Trevor, the main characters of Thomas's Beautiful Me and Handsome Me books, have come to life, Shanika as a gorgeous, fashionable doll and Trevor as a handsome, rugged action figure. Both have beautiful African-American features. The toys are fun for children of all ages and the perfect tool for grandmothers and older moms to bridge the generation gap with the kids in their life.

Thomas's stories, vibrantly illustrated by UK native John Higgins, capture all the angst of being a kid and being teased about one's looks. Through the companion books - and now the dolls - black girls and boys learn to have confidence in themselves in the face of adversity.

Also, as self-assured, career women are increasingly waiting to have children, many are further away from the feelings of insecurity that are a painful part of daily life for kids. Shanika and Trevor help them make the connection with their own, much younger offspring.

And Thomas has a secret plan to target teen moms through their own mothers.

"Young moms may not spend for books to educate their kids, but the colorful illustrations draw them and their children in right away," she said. "Grandmothers appreciate that before long the messages sneak up on both generations."

The hand-painted, hand-sculptured toys are 11.5" tall, retail for $34.99 and are available at www.wandathomasbooks.com or by calling 212-433-0284. Beautiful Me and Handsome Me are available on the website, at Barnes and Noble, Harlem's Nubian Heritage, and Hue Man Bookstore.

Black Book News | Sept./Oct. 2001

The challenges that children must face, particularly during their tender, formative preadolescent period, are just as dramatic and significant for their future life orientation, as any that they might face during their years of growing into adulthood. As the African American community in general continues to face serious sociopolitical and economic challenges that often have broad psychological components, the need for well written, psychologically and pedagogically sound children's books that present young readers with models of resilience and self-esteem, is obvious.

Among such sorely needed books are Handsome Me, and Beautiful Me, two companion books whose main characters are a pre-teen boy, in the first, and a girl of comparable age in the second. Written by Wanda Thomas, a native of Harlem, New York City, and beautifully illustrated by John Higgins, these two books help prepare children to deal effectively with the negative perceptions that others project upon them.
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Unity First Online News | Jan. 2002

Successful entrepreneur, Wanda Thomas, enjoys sharing her creativity with children nationwide. Her debut children's stories, Handsome Me and Beautiful Me are targeted to African American children in elementary school and are inspired by real-life experiences from the author's youth growing up in Harlem, New York. These vibrantly illustrated companion books take each child on an entertaining and educational journey of understanding that helps to build self-esteem and positive images. For more information, call 212-662-6993.

ACE Critiques | Jan. 2002

Beautiful Me and Handsome Me are two warmly written and beautifully illustrated books that will capture the beginning reader's interest. Vivid and bold illustrations by John Higgins seem to pop off the pages and invite you into the world of Shanika in Beautiful Me and into the world of Trevor in Handsome Me.

Shanika and Trevor suffer hurtful encounters with their closest friends. However, seeds of positive reinforcement, self-assuredness and love have been firmly planted in their hearts and minds by their parents.

Belief in oneself is key to building positive self-esteem. Beautiful Me and Handsome Me present an early introduction to the principles of self-love. They help children cope with rejection and peer pressure. These companion books are an asset to positive growth and development during the early childhood years.