A Heart-Shaped Room

In "A Heart-Shaped Room," readers are introduced to Ricky, a boy with a deep love for his family and an immense talent for drawing. The narrative unfolds as Ricky's family faces a bitter dispute— his grandparents refuse to accept their son's marriage to another man and don't want his husband Pedro to attend Aunt Laura's wedding.

Frustrated and deeply saddened by the divisive homophobia within his family, Ricky channels his feelings into his art. His creations reflect the hurt, the injustice, and the yearning for acceptance and love that echoes in his heart. But can Ricky's art bring about the change he hopes for? Can his family come together, overcoming their prejudices, for the love they have for each other?

"A Heart-Shaped Room" is a heartwarming exploration of familial love, acceptance, and the transformative power of art. It's an uplifting testament to the bravery of youth and the hope that love will eventually conquer hate.

Jim Cartwright is a gay/queer author, university professor, speech therapist, and personal development coach. For more than ten years, he taught creative writing classes for tweens with learning differences, nurturing their unique voices. Jim has an MFA in Creative Writing and celebrates his passion for the written word with daily singing and dancing routines. He lives in San Francisco with his husband, Jorge. Visit his website https://www.jimcartwright.org/ for more information.

Danielle Visbeck is a children's book illustrator, painter, and writer. She is a graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco with an AA in Illustration. Her work spans across multiple disciplines and mediums, and her art reflects her interest in people, the natural world, and the abstract. She currently lives in Las Vegas with her cat, River. You can contact her at her website https://daniellevisbeck.myportfolio.com/work