An Oldham drag artist and vegan YouTuber is set to set release his first children's book.
'Penny the Pigeon Queen' is the debut book written by Paul Burgess, who is known for his YouTube channel 'Those Vegan Guys' and drag persona Gemini from 'The Vegan Queens.'
The book is now available for pre-order and will be released on November 28.
The story is about a 'fearless and magic' pigeon called Penny who watches over her pigeon friends and learns and teaches life lessons about staying true to herself as well as 'the often-conflicting expectations of the world around her'.
The book aims to have important messages about emotional intelligence, kindness, and how children can manage the different pressures they face from friends and family as they grow up.
Paul, who lives in Oldham, said: "I wanted the story to act as a vivid reminder to children to be kind toward all creatures, but it’s also a subtle exploration of the emotional expectations placed on children in today’s society.
"I hope it also makes parents stop and think about how they are role models for fostering empathy, understanding and kindness for others – whether they’re humans or pigeons.
"Children today are faced with so many expectations, from how they should behave to what emotions they should express, and I wanted to show that it's okay for children to feel and be themselves.
"As a gay man and drag queen artist, I’ve been conscious about navigating society’s expectations my whole life.
"Penny The Pigeon Queen certainly addresses themes of individuality and self-acceptance, which I hope resonates with both children and adults."
Paul said the idea for the book came when he was feeding pigeons in Oldham town centre and a child who was around five years old ran into the group of birds, attempting to scatter them.
When Paul gently asked the child if he would like to feed the birds instead of scaring them, the child’s mother 'lashed out' at Paul, leaving a lasting impression on him.
He said: "It was one of those moments that made me reflect on how disrespect for animals can begin quite innocently at a very early age.
"My aim was to create a sweet and fun story that teaches respect, and not just for animals, but also for ourselves and each other."
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