A mom has been left distraught after people branded her newly published children's story a "pedophile type book".
Brooke La Pia - a disability worker from Adelaide, Australia - decided to post an innocent YouTube video celebrating the release of her first published book, Peter Peter Loves His Pink Pants.
The inclusive story follows a young boy who enjoys dancing and playing in his pink shorts.
In the video below, Brooke provides a first-look at her newly published book:La Pia has worked with children for over a decade, and penned the story while on maternity leave in an effort to produce a story that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and children’s differences.
Describing the book on Amazon, Brooke writes:
"A fun rhyming book that connects with children who are a little bit different. Not all boys like to play in the mud and play sport. Peter Peter loves his pink pants and loves to dance."
However, once she uploaded the video touting the book's release, she was bombarded with criticism from people attacking her work.
After sharing news of her new book in the Facebook group Author/Publisher/Editor/Book Readers, Brooke received many comments slamming her choice of story.
"This book is disgusting and should be thrown in the trash ASAP," wrote one Facebook user.
Another added: "This is a [pedophile] type book, period. A little kid doing the splits in short shorts? Should I even have to explain how that is wrong."
"Pink in our culture is the color mostly worn by girls. Have some common sense you said it yourself this was about 'acceptance'. You contradicted your own defense and revealed your transgender agenda,” the person continued.
A third typed: "Seriously, this is your message to kids? It's right to be what you are not to pretend to be something else. This is beyond sickening and you should be ashamed."
"Kids or anyone for that matter should never be exposed to such sick brainwashing," added a fourth.
Brooke even shared a screenshot of somebody prompting others to head to the book's Amazon page and leave the story a negative review.
Sharing screenshots of the comments she received, 37-year-old Brooke wrote: "Didn’t think in this day and age my book would be highly offensive [...] Never expected this response."
In another Facebook post, Brooke said that she "would love for all of us to celebrate diversity and hopefully this book helps some children".
Fortunately, there were many people who supported Brooke's work.
One commenter on YouTube wrote: "A wonderful book Brooke, one that my grandchildren will be getting in the hope that they grow up being tolerant, loving, accepting adults!"
And a second supporter added: "Good on you Brooke, I love the story!!! I will be using it in my classroom. I am a woman and hate pink, as a child I loved playing with trucks, climbing trees and playing with my dolls. We need to STOP pushing gender stereotypes of children."
Well done, Brooke! We can't wait to read your story! If you would like to buy the book yourself, check it out on Amazon HERE.
