7-Year-Old Writes Children’s Book About Bullying, ‘Not Fat Because I Wanna Be’

LaNiyah Bailey is just 7 years old, and she has experiences under her belt that many published authors have only dreamed of.

LaNiyah’s book, Not Fat Because I Wanna Be has drawn the attention of the White House and has been discussed in the context of President Barack Obama’s anti-bullying initiative.

Major media outlets such as CNN, FOX, NBC, BET, WGN, AOL, ABC and  Huffington Post have contacted LaNiyah’s mother to learn more about this young girl’s “inspiring courage” that led her to share her experiences with other children.

Her book, illustrated by Laura Perez Ricaud, details the fictional story of Jessica, who is bullied because of her weight — which is caused by an underlying medical condition.  The story is based on LaNiyah’s experiences being bullied and teased because of her own illness-induced weight gain.

Since the book’s release in March 2011, LaNiyah has been featured in magazines, interviewed on hundreds of radio shows, blogs and TV shows. The book has garnered countless rave reviews and is currently used in lesson plans in schools throughout the United States and Korea.

LaNiyah’s mantra is:

“I am beautiful. I am loved. I will not let what others say define me. Bullying is not cool.”

Not Fat Because I Wanna Be and LaNiyah’s recent coloring activity book, Stand up! Bully Busters Coming To Town, are timely tools to help draw attention to bullying and obesity, two seriou issues affecting today’s youth.

LaNiyah says, “I just wish this book can help other kids like me … and I wish it can help people see that [even though] you might be big that you are not unhealthy or … a monster, like people may make you feel.” –kathleen cross