“Ma, Where’s Mommy?” was released to the world on 12/23/2022.  Since then, I have embarked on my first book tour.  As with anything that is new the journey was scary and uncertain at first.  However, seeing the look in children’s eyes when they see themselves and their families in “Ma, Where’s Mommy” has been life changing.  I look at “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” as my second child.  This particular child turned six months old and I see the growth!  I never knew reaching a milestone could feel so amazing.  “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” has sold over 100 copies!  To the cities of San Francisco and Washington D.C. thank you for the love you have shown to this new author!  It was an amazing experience and I will never forget it.  To Charles County, you have forever changed the landscape of what it means to have pride and show love.  Through incredible philanthropy, “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” is now in the Charles County Public Library!  That means even if you cannot buy the book, it is available for you to read anytime. Afterward, I had one of those proud Mommy moments when you realize “my baby is getting BIG!” 

I would be remiss to not speak to the first 100 who bought the book.  You all are really the hope and wish of every queer, questioning, gender non conforming, trans, and allied child.  Every child longs for a symbol of normalcy and acceptance.  Something to show that they and their family are normal and matter.  To the first 100 this is my love letter to you.  I hope that the book has enriched your library.  I hope that if you bought the book to give it to someone, the book brought feelings of joy and pride.  I hope that your child sees themselves in the story. 

There are two stories that I would like to tell from the first 100 books sold:

The first story is about a teenager, who was walking with their friend looking at different booths at Pride.  They came across my booth and picked up the book.  After reading the book they said I cannot believe there is a book that shows me I could have a wife and a child.  The second thing they said was, I’m going to get my mother to come over here and buy me this book.  First, I was surprised to find that a teenager would find interest and value in this book.  I do  believe this book is timeless and ageless, but I never thought anyone else would see that value.  The other thing I thought was, what a blessed child to have a mother who brought her younger child and her older gay child to pride.  It was amazing to see their mother’s love surpass negativity and to love her child no matter what their journey is.  Honestly, meeting her mother was like meeting a SuperHero.  She has no idea how she may have saved her child’s life.  Mothers are fans.  We are the biggest and loudest fans of our children’s lives.  When we show up for them we give them their superpowers.  It just can’t be said enough. I salute all parents like her!  

The second story I would like to tell you is about an adult.  She was of Jamaican and African descent and an older lesbian.  She came to pride alone.  She looked at the book and said the illustrator’s name.  Olamide Ojo is a Nigerian illustrator who has worked on countless children’s books.  He went through an application process like many illustrators who wanted the opportunity to work on this book.  I chose him because there is a stigma associated with being LGBTQ+ or associated with LGBTQ+ people in Nigeria. He, fully aware of the societal implications, said that he would love to work on a book like this because it had the power to transform perspectives across the world. He brought the characters to life, made the story sing, and has helped me set forth a universe that will normalize queer children and families. She was excited that someone from her homeland worked on this project. She assumed he was queer and I explained that I did not believe Olamide was queer. We never had that conversation nor did we need to have it.  I consider him an ally.  I explained that though he is not queer, he chose to work on this project because of what the project could mean.  She began to cry.  She stated that it was hard to be queer where she is from.  It is lonely and isolating.  She said, “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” “brings hope to the hopeless and faith to the faithless.” 

For every story, for every click, for every share, for every book sold, for every person I met and have spoken to, THANK YOU!  
Stay tuned.  A new release is coming soon!  If you want more details on it, check out my website http://www.tunitajames.com.   New characters in Grace’s Universe are introducing themselves to the world.  Get ready.  “Grace’s Playdate” joins “Ma, Where’s Mommy?” soon!