Just in time for the holiday season, famed children’s author Janice Kenyatta has launched the Abena doll as a companion product to her successful book Just As It Is! The adorable Abena Doll tells her story in Just As It Is! as a little African American girl whose parents inspired her in early life to love and appreciate her natural features, including her hair, just as it is. The new Abena Doll is available online at www.janicekenyatta.com and the book is also available on Amazon.
Kenyatta wrote Just As It Is! as a valuable tool for teaching children in life a strong sense of self-appreciation and acceptance and it has been well received by parents and children alike. Through relatable characters, vibrant illustrations, and a touching narrative, this book takes young readers on a journey of discovering the beauty and uniqueness within themselves. The lovable Abena Doll tells her story in Just As It Is! as a little African American girl whose parents inspired her early in life to love and appreciate her natural features, including her hair, just as it is! While also accepting and appreciating those same differences in others from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
“I really felt that a doll such as Abena would further support the strong message of love and acceptance that is the core message in my book. In today’s divided world it is more important than ever to explore and reinforce the power of friendship, empathy and self-acceptance while encouraging children to see the beauty in every person’s uniqueness,” she adds.
The Abena Doll was designed by well known toy and doll industry veteran Michael Greenberg and is available for $24.99 at www.janicekenyatta.com.
For additional information, visit JaniceKenyatta.com, or follow her on social media: Facebook- Janice Kenyatta, Instagram- @janicekenyatta
Born and raised in both Newark and Orange, NJ, Janice Kenyatta is a retired educator and school administrator. Janice is co-author of the book, Black Folk’s Hair, Revisited: Secrets, Shame, and Liberation. In her retired life, Janice has renewed her love for writing meaningful children’s books and for interior decorating. She is the mother of two daughters, Aliya and Ayanna, and the grandmother of identical twin granddaughters, Mya and Nyla. Throughout her life, Janice’s motto has always been, “The MORE we learn, the LESS we fear!”