Good morning, everyone! I hope everyone is continuing to have a wonderful summer full of fun and family.
Today, I have another exciting interview to share with you all. This week, our interview is with none other than author Justin Shepherd.
Justin has actually been featured on this blog once before for his previous book release, titled Boundaries., which is a children's book that helps kids understand the importance of setting boundaries within their families. The illustrations are gorgeous, and it has a message that both kids and parents can appreciate and learn from.
Now, Justin is celebrating the release of his newest book, Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not.
This book is about how, in a world where open dialogue is increasingly vital, it can be crucial to instill in children the understanding that secrets, particularly those kept from trusted adults, are not acceptable. This story aims to empower children with the confidence to speak up when faced with uncomfortable situations and to foster an environment of trust and safety.
Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not is not just for children; it's a tool for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone involved in the upbringing of young minds. It's a reminder that we have a responsibility to create spaces where our children feel comfortable sharing their experiences and concerns, knowing that they will be heard and supported.
At the end of the story, readers will find a question designed to spark meaningful conversations between adults and children. The author's hope is that this question will serve as a starting point for discussions surrounding the importance of transparency and the dangers of secrecy.
Justin's newest book can be purchased on JCP's website, or on Amazon here.
Now, please enjoy the following interview with Justin.
BOOKMARKED: Congratulations on your new book, Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not. What inspired this story, and why was it important for you to share this message with kids?
JUSTIN SHEPHERD: The inspiration behind this book comes from a place of deep concern and responsibility. As a social media creator who often covers challenging cases, many involving children, I've seen firsthand the devastating impact of secrets and silence. This book was born from a desire to prevent such tragedies and to empower children with knowledge that could keep them safe.
The core message of this book is crucial: while surprises can be fun and exciting, secrets – especially those that make a child feel uncomfortable or scared – are never okay. I want to give children the tools to understand this difference and the confidence to speak up when something doesn't feel right.
My goal isn't just to write a book, but to potentially save lives. If this book can help even one child recognize a dangerous situation and seek help, or encourage one adult to have these important conversations with their kids, then it will have fulfilled its purpose.
It's a heavy topic, but one that I believe we must address openly and sensitively with our children. My hope is that this book serves as a bridge for these vital conversations, helping to create a safer world for our kids
What do you hope parents and caregivers take away from reading it?
The primary goal of Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not is to equip both children and adults with essential tools for safety and communication. For parents and caregivers, I hope this book serves as a catalyst for crucial conversations. It's designed to provide a framework for discussing complex topics in an age-appropriate way. The book aims to help adults recognize the importance of open, ongoing dialogue about safety. It guides them in creating an environment where children feel comfortable sharing anything, no matter how big or small. Additionally, it helps adults understand the signs that a child might be keeping an unsafe secret and develop strategies for regularly checking in with children about their experiences and feelings.
For children, the book strives to clearly differentiate between harmless surprises and potentially dangerous secrets. It's about empowering them to trust their instincts when something doesn't feel right and reinforcing that there are trusted adults who will listen and help. Through relatable language and scenarios, children can learn and apply these important concepts to their own lives.
Ultimately, I want this book to strengthen the bond between children and their caregivers, creating a safety net of trust and open communication. By fostering an environment where children feel safe to share anything, we can better protect them from potential harm.
Remember, it's not about having one big talk – it's about creating an ongoing dialogue that evolves as children grow. This book is just the beginning of that journey, a tool to help build a foundation of safety, trust, and understanding between children and the adults in their lives.
I know you also recently celebrated the release of the Spanish version of Boundaries. What inspired you to put out this version of your book?
Thank you for asking about the Spanish version of Boundaries. The decision to release this translation was driven by a deep commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.
As an author and advocate for child safety, I believe it's crucial that this vital information reaches as many families as possible. The Hispanic community is a significant and growing part of our society, and many families prefer or are more comfortable reading in Spanish. By offering Boundaries. in Spanish, we're ensuring that language isn't a barrier to accessing these important lessons about personal safety and healthy relationships. Moreover, this translation aligns with my broader goal of fostering open communication about boundaries and safety across all communities. Every child, regardless of their linguistic background, deserves to have these tools and knowledge at their disposal.
The process of translating the book also provided an opportunity to ensure that the concepts and examples resonate culturally with Spanish-speaking families. This isn't just a direct translation; it's an adaptation that considers cultural nuances and contexts. Ultimately, the Spanish version of Boundaries. is about expanding our reach and impact. It's about saying that every child's safety matters, and every family should have access to resources that can help protect their children. I'm hopeful that this version will open up important conversations in even more homes and communities.
Did you learn anything from writing Boundaries. that helped you write Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not?
Writing Boundaries. was definitely a learning experience that informed my approach to Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not. As a first-time author with Boundaries., I was navigating unfamiliar territory, which made the process both challenging and enlightening. One of the most surprising outcomes from Boundaries. was the unexpected audience it reached. While I had initially aimed the book at children, I discovered that many adults were purchasing it for themselves, finding value in its messages for their own inner child. This revelation was profound and touching.
Keeping this insight in mind, I approached Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not with a broader perspective. While still primarily focused on children, I consciously incorporated elements that could resonate with readers of all ages. It's been heartening to receive feedback that the book has indeed struck a chord with adults, validating their experiences and feelings. This unexpected dual audience has reinforced for me the universal nature of these topics. It's a reminder that the need for understanding boundaries, recognizing safe secrets from unsafe ones, and feeling empowered to speak up transcends age.
Overall, the experience of writing Boundaries. gave me more confidence and clarity in crafting Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not. I felt better equipped to address these sensitive topics in a way that could impact a wide range of readers, from young children to adults healing their inner child. It's been a rewarding journey of growth both as an author and as an advocate for these crucial conversations.
What's next for you? Do you have another book idea planned for the future?
Yes, I'm excited to share that there are more books in the pipeline. Currently, I have a third book that's in the illustration phase. This one focuses on the concept of sharing, which is such a fundamental skill for children to learn and practice.
Looking even further ahead, I'm already planning the fourth book in this series. It will tackle another crucial topic for children: learning that it's okay to say, "No," even to adults. This is such an important lesson in empowering children, helping them understand their autonomy, and reinforcing the ideas of personal boundaries that we've explored in previous books. Each of these books builds on the others, creating a comprehensive framework for children to understand themselves, their relationships with others, and their place in the world. They're all part of my ongoing commitment to providing children and their caregivers with tools for safety, self-expression, and healthy interactions.
I know it's a lofty goal, but I'm aiming to have both of these new books out before the holidays. It's ambitious, but I believe these messages are so important that I want to get them into the hands of families as soon as possible. The holiday season can be a great time for families to connect and have these important conversations, so I'm pushing hard to meet this timeline
Is there anything you'd like to say to supporters of your books and people who are enjoying your newest book?
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who's supported my books and embraced Surprises Are Okay, Secrets Are Not. Your support truly means the world to me, and it's what keeps me going.
To those reading and enjoying the newest book, thank you for taking this journey with me. It's not always easy to tackle these topics, but you're doing it, and that's incredible. You're helping create a safer, more open environment for our kids, and that's so powerful. I'm always moved by the stories I hear from readers – parents finding new ways to talk to their children, teachers using the books in their classrooms, and even adults who've found some healing through these messages. Each story reinforces why this work is so important and inspires me to keep going.
To everyone who's shared the books, left reviews, or spread the word: you're amazing. Your actions are helping this message reach so many more people than I ever could alone. I want to encourage you all to keep these conversations going. The books are just the beginning – they're tools to spark ongoing dialogues about safety, boundaries, and healthy relationships. It's your continued engagement that really makes the lasting impact.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we're working towards a world where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered to speak up. Your support makes that vision possible, and I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you.
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Thank you again to Justin for such a fantastic conversation! For those of you who'd like to learn more about Justin's books, please tune in to this Friday's podcast episode, because Justin participated in a great conversation there as well.
Our podcast, Bookmarked, partners with this blog, and both work together to create bookish content you won't want to miss. So, be sure to check in every Wednesday and Friday for new content from our blog and podcast, respectively.
I hope everyone has a great week! Thanks for reading!
Allison Chudina
Editorial Assistant
Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.
Bookmarked
Great interview!