Local musician/author releases an illustrated book on bullying for kids

Local LGBTQ+ author, singer and songwriter Wendy Jo Bradshaw has just published a new children’s book about the powers of voice and choice in gender expression, diversity, and bullying. It is titled A Very Important Power and is an illustrated chapter book for ages 7-11.

With the rise in LGBTQ+ bullying and youth suicide, Wendy Jo has been compelled to teach kids the solutions to problems like bullying and peer pressure. Her dream is to help kids find the treasure of the power of their voice. She wants them to feel good about themselves no matter what others say or do. Wendy Jo’s motto is: Helping Kids See, They Are a Treasured VIP.

“A great book that does an excellent job of covering the topic of bullying,” writes Kristal Leon in a review. “It’s a unique illustrated chapter book, that not only empowers the kids being bullied, but it also helps bystanders, and the ones doing the bullying.

“A Very Important Power is about a 9-year-old cowgirl named Wild West Wendy Jo who has red hair and loves to wear her cowboy boots. Unfortunately, because Wild West Wendy Jo is different Local musician/author releases an illustrated book on bullying for kids from her classmates, she begins to get bullied so much so that she no longer wants to go to school. Wendy Jo writes a letter to Vippi Mouse of the Vippi Treasure Quests Show for advice.

“Vippi Mouse answers Wendy Jo’s plead for help, and he encourages Wendy Jo to solve her problems with the bullies at her school. Through an exciting quest filled with treasures, time-traveling, and western filled investigation, this book teaches kindness, courage, and acceptance of self and others. It also teaches young buckaroos that they have the ‘power of choice and voice’ to help combat bullying.”

Wendy Jo has also written and recorded four empowering new songs to accompany the book. The book and all the music are available at her vippimouse.com website. Wendy’s book is also available at Barnes and Noble, and at other online retailers. A Very Important Power has achieved Amazon #1 New Release as well as bestseller status in its categories.

Bradshaw lives in Utah, very near to her two daughters and nine grandchildren, with her wife Evelyn and two little Dachshunds named Annie Oakley and Jackpot.

Wendy Jo has been a longtime member of the Salt Lake City LGBTQ+ community where, through her music and performances, she has helped to raise funds for the Aids Foundation, The Utah Pride Center, Peter Christie’s LIVE! for Life, and The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire.

Wendy Jo is also a member of the Mama Dragons, whose mission is to support, educate, and empower mothers of LGBTQ children. Their vision is a world where all mothers fiercely love and advocate for their LGBTQ children.