HarperCollins Author, Lid’ya C. Rivera Prepares for Launch of Children’s Book About Vitiligo

Lid’ya C. Rivera is a HarperCollins author, filmmaker, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, confidence coach, vitiligo advocate, and Navy veteran passionate about film, advocating, and encouraging others to discover their confidence and self-love from within. As a creator, she has successfully written and directed her first film project on vitiligo titled “Beauty Marks.” She has been featured on various podcasts and radio shows, including the Stellar Award-winning All Nations Radio, UITA Media Radio, and Royalties ATX Radio. Lid’ya has also been featured in magazines such as “Glambitious” and “She Is E-Magazine” and media blogs such as “Living Dappled,” “Shout Out Magazine,” and “VoyageMIA Magazine.”

The new author is currently preparing for the launch of her upcoming children’s book, I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots, which is slated to be released on June 6, 2023, by HarperCollins. Featuring a vibrant protagonist with vitiligo, the picture book is a rhyming ode to loving the skin you’re in with illustrations by the Geisel Honor-winning artist Nina Mata, who also illustrated Lebron James’s “I Promise.” The fact that this is the first time a major publisher has published a children’s book about vitiligo also makes this a historical event.

Learn more about the author and the inspiration behind this beautiful children’s book below.

Let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself and your personal journey with vitiligo. How did it inspire you to write your book “I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots?”

Lid’ya: As a child, I didn’t realize I was different until I was in maybe elementary school when I began to experience bullying for having vitiligo. That was truly a tough time for me, being a child with a skin condition and not seeing anyone else that looked like me, not even on TV or in books. However, I always wondered what life would have been had I had that representation as a child. Would I have experienced the name-calling? Would people have considered me beautiful and not strange? Would I have been braver and bolder?

“I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots” was inspired by my own experience living with vitiligo — not so much of what life was like for me, but rather what I hoped it would have been. This book is a celebratory ode for all children born to stand out. A book that not only inspires and encourages self-love and confidence but also educates about the skin condition. It was important that I create a much-needed representation for kids to finally be able to see a main character in a book that looks like them!

What motivated you to create a story specifically about a little girl with vitiligo, and why did you feel it was important to address this topic in children’s literature?

Lid’ya: Because I was once a little girl with vitiligo, and I know what the stares and uncomfortable questions were like, so it was easier to write from that standpoint. However, although the book is about a little girl with vitiligo, she is a representation of all children- boys and girls with vitiligo. It was greatly important to address this topic in children’s literature since early childhood education is vital, so why not educate kids about a skin condition that is, honestly, very common? Children with vitiligo should be able to see characters in a book that resemble them so they understand being ‘different’ is ok, and children without vitiligo should also be able to see a character with vitiligo and understand the same. Through this children’s book, I want all children to embrace the fact that everyone is created differently and unique, and that is something to be celebrated!

How did you approach the writing process for your book? Were there any challenges or considerations unique to writing about a character with vitiligo?

Lid’ya: There weren’t many challenges when writing about the character having vitiligo, especially since it’s fun and joyful; I believe, if anything, it’s finding all the right words to capture the reader, all while inspiring and encouraging them to love themselves and others just the way they are. I did not want the book character to have any negative feelings towards her vitiligo skin but rather exude so much confidence and joy that would make anyone reading the book feel happy inside, so I just wrote from the heart.

In your book, how does the main character navigate the challenges and emotions associated with having vitiligo?

Lid’ya: The character in the book is such a bold ray of sunshine! She approaches all things with confidence and bravery. When faced with the questions and stares, she responds with such poise and self-assurance. She is surrounded by incredible support from her parents, which also helps her navigate through her emotions and challenges faced. Throughout the book, she speaks with such an affirming tone, and I believe those affirmations play an intricate role as well.

What messages or lessons do you hope young readers will take away from the story?

Lid’ya: “Love the skin you’re in, and you’ll always win!” No matter if others are unkind, I want children to know that when they love themselves through and through, unkind words don’t stand a chance at penetrating their esteem because they love and accept who they are, just the way they are. I believe this is something all children should learn.

How can books like yours help promote inclusivity and diversity in children’s literature?

Lid’ya: “I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots” is a brilliant asset in promoting inclusivity and diversity as it highlights not only a little girl with a skin disorder but also a brown skin girl. This book provides representation for not only the black and brown community but also the vitiligo community, which is only about 1–2% of the world’s population. It’s important that we include both underrepresented communities. I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots” is an energetic love letter with vibrant artwork that include well-diverse illustrations of children that will inspire all children across the world to boldly be themselves.

What impact do you hope your book will have on readers, both those with and without vitiligo?

Lid’ya: I hope my children’s book will encourage kids worldwide to love and accept themselves and others, promote kindness, and instantly bring bullying to an end. “I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots” was written for children born to stand out, to SHINE, and that means ALL children!

Follow online: https://www.instagram.com/lidya.c.rivera/