Stephanie Sorkin, an award-winning children's author, aims to inspire acceptance and self-esteem in young readers with her latest book, *Am I a Unicorn?* This fourth installment presents a unicorn who breaks her horn and learns to embrace her uniqueness in a world filled with differences. The narrative, written in rhyme, emphasizes the importance of self-love and accepting individual differences.
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Sorkin, a mother of three, created this story to facilitate discussions about feeling different. By using a diverse cast of animals, she highlights that everyone has their unique traits.
In an interview, Sorkin explained that her inspiration came from her interactions with children during school visits and book events. "I thought about all of the children who feel like they don’t fit in due to their differences, whether physical, emotional, developmental, or mental. The unicorn character realizes that self-acceptance is paramount, more than seeking others' approval," she said. Sorkin chose to include various types of animals to further demonstrate diversity.
A portion of the proceeds from her book sales supports organizations helping children. Sorkin highlighted her commitment to causes like F.A.R.E. (Food Allergy Research & Education), which is personal for her as her daughter has food allergies. She also supports Soles4Souls, which provides shoes to those in need, and The PACER National Bully Prevention Center. Additionally, a share of the sales from *Am I a Unicorn?* will be donated to The Garden of Dreams Foundation, which offers opportunities to children facing challenges.
Sorkin's children continually inspire her writing. She often draws from their experiences for her books. For instance, *Nutley, the Nutfree Squirrel* is based on her youngest daughter, and *Frenemy Jane, the Sometimes Friend* addresses a friendship challenge her child faced.
Reflecting on her journey as an author, Sorkin finds the most rewarding moments come when her work positively impacts a child's life. Following school visits, she often hears stories of kids inspired to be creative or to discuss important topics they previously avoided.
In the coming years, Sorkin aims to develop new characters and reach more readers, balancing availability between large retailers and local bookstores. As a food allergy advocate, she hopes for ongoing advances in treatment options that could lead to cures.
When asked about her family activities in the Hamptons, Sorkin fondly recalls visiting local farms, ice cream shops, and participating in community events, which create lasting memories for her and her children.
To purchase a copy of *Am I A Unicorn?*, visit www.amazon.com.