Your Stage : Children's Book, Byrdie is Big Enough, as Traveling Play or to the Stage - a Book about Difference by Cherrye Vasquez, Ph.D.

I am a children's book author and I'd love for a playwright to consider taking one of my story lines, Byrdie is Big Enough, and turning it into a traveling play for children -- if not to the stage. Since bullying plagues our nation's schools, this book as a play would be an ideal talking lesson. Byrdie is Big Enough is a book about difference, learning about others and their talents. Byrdie has a medical condition (achondroplasia) causing abnormal growth. She doesn't like being called a midget as that term is outdated and socially inappropriate. If her peers can't call her by the name her parents gave her at birth, "Little People" is socially appropriate. Besides, being a Little Person does have its pluses. Byrdie is just as smart as her friend, Fran, and all the other children who attend her school. Byrdie wants to take piano lessons from her dear Aunt Sadie Mae, but how can she? Her arms and legs are too short and can't reach the piano keys and foot pedal, so she just dreams about taking piano lessons, and sits on Aunt Sadie Mae's window sill watching the other kids take their lessons. There is a talent show coming up at school and Fran shares with Byrdie her plans to participate. Byrdie thought about it a lot and eventually shared with Fran she wanted to try out, too, but why did Fran tell Byrdie "midgets" can't play the piano? Fran's words hurt Byrdie to bone. Thank you for reading. I hope to hear back from you soon. Cherrye Vasquez