Fund This: LGBT Children's Book Read by Jem

Have you ever found it difficult to find a great children's picture book with positive LGBT themes that you can share with your children or nieces and nephews? Inspired by that constant issue, author Jase Peeples and illustrator Christine Knopp have created Square Zair Pair, a book that celebrates the diversity of couples in a community. As the Kickstarter page explains: "The story takes place in the magical land of Hanamandoo, a place where square and round Zairs live. Zairs do all things in pairs, one round with one square. But one day when two square Zairs pair for the first time, the village initially rejects them before learning a lesson in kindness, and acceptance -- ultimately realizing different pairs of Zairs make their village stronger."

As Peeples explains:

"As the son of a librarian, I spent many hours thumbing through picture books in my youth, and many of the stories I read back then -- stories about fairness, kindness, and doing the right thing -- impacted me in a positive way. Those stories have stuck with me throughout my life. However, there were never any stories that positively highlighted the ways in which I was different as a gay person. It's my hope that Square Zair Pair can also help young people who feel they are different, realize their differences should be celebrated, and regardless of who they "pair" with, love is a beautiful thing."

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The campaign is seeking to raise $10,000 for an initial printing with enough inventory to stock bookstore shelves. Plus, there are some unique "rewards" for contributing. Along with original paintings by the artist, Christine Knopp, an audio book version of the story will be read by Samantha Newark, the original speaking voice of Jem from the animated series Jem and the Holograms. Now that's truly outrageous!

Watch the Kickstarter campaign video below, and donate to the campaign here: