Eighteen-year-old Sydney Sunderland didnsa国际传媒檛 set out to be a published author when she took on her Capstone Project last year, but here we are.
The Mark R. Isfeld grad and first-year student at Thompson Rivers University has written and illustrated a childrensa国际传媒檚 book, titled I am Everything In Between.
The book hits the market next month.
sa国际传媒淲e had to do a Capstone Project for our graduation, so I decided to do a childrensa国际传媒檚 book,sa国际传媒� said Sunderland, who turns 19 later this month. sa国际传媒淎t the beginning, I didnsa国际传媒檛 really have any plans of publishing it, I just wanted to share it with some teachers and possibly the school library, but it just kept building and building (momentum).
sa国际传媒淚t began as just a school project but then I realized that I felt really passionate about the topic that the book is aboutsa国际传媒�. After I finished it I received a lot of feedback from my teachers and peers, encouraging me to publish it. So I ended up sending my copy of the book to several publishers, and one of them liked it.sa国际传媒�
I am Everything In Between is described on the publishing house website (Rebel Mountain Press) as a book that sa国际传媒渟a国际传媒� highlights kids who donsa国际传媒檛 fit into stereotypical gender ideals. This book celebrates children and how they gender identify by sending a positive message that regardless of biological gender, itsa国际传媒檚 okay to feel like a girl, itsa国际传媒檚 okay to feel like a boy, and itsa国际传媒檚 okay to feel like sa国际传媒楨verything In Between.sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒�
Sunderland says there is a personal angle to the book.
sa国际传媒淭here is sort of a personal connection to it; when I was growing up, I didnsa国际传媒檛 necessarily know what gender identity was, but I definitely did present myself in ways that were different than how a typical little girl would dress and things,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淚 sometimes got negative comments and negative reactions from that, and that definitely affected me when I was younger, so I am hoping that the message can get out to any kids who might be feeling that way, because I know I would have really appreciated something like that.sa国际传媒�
Her mother, Becky Sunderland, said the book shows a side of Sydney that everyone who knows her sees every day.
sa国际传媒淭he strength that she has always had in her own character, and in knowing who she is, is spectacular,sa国际传媒� said Becky. sa国际传媒淭hen, wanting to share that and confidence she has in herself, and showing other kids that itsa国际传媒檚 OK to literally just be yourself; that star shines so brightly in her.sa国际传媒�
According to the , Capstone is sa国际传媒渁n opportunity for students to further develop and showcase their strengths, passions, and learning journey to a relevant audience. As a celebration of their learning journey, the Capstone is a place where students are encouraged to share successes both in school and out of school, including their reflections on Core Competency development, their contributions and aspirations, and their plans for post-graduation.sa国际传媒�
Sunderland said she didnsa国际传媒檛 totally buy into the concept at first, and begrudgingly took part only because she had to. The finished product turned out to be a lasting legacy.
sa国际传媒淎t the beginning, before I knew what I wanted to do, I thought sa国际传媒榦h, this is a waste of time - why are we doing this?sa国际传媒� But then sometimes it can turn into something bigger, which I think is part of the idea of the Capstone. It can turn into something that you can go into in post-secondary, if itsa国际传媒檚 something you are passionate about.sa国际传媒�
Sunderland said that while she has no immediate plans for another book, she hasnsa国际传媒檛 discarded the possibility either.
sa国际传媒淚 am not sure about that. I am hoping to maybe create more books in the future. I donsa国际传媒檛 think thatsa国际传媒檚 going to be the only one. But I donsa国际传媒檛 have anything planned right now.sa国际传媒�
Sunderland has had a busy freshman year at Thompson River University. She is studying for her bachelor of arts and has been a regular on the pitch for the TRU Wolfpack soccer team.
sa国际传媒淚t was mainly the soccer program that got me up here, for sure,sa国际传媒� said the former Riptide soccer player. sa国际传媒淲e had kind of a rough season, but I have been enjoying it a lot and the team is really awesome.sa国际传媒�
Release date for the book is March 15. Pre-orders are being accepted now at
It will be available locally at Laughing Oyster Book Shop in Courtenay.
terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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