Contact
  • HOME
  • / MEDIA /
  • Celebrating Individual Narratives and Multiracial Identities Through the Book ‘Mostly Me’

Stories

September 20, 2023

SHARE:

In a world where the narrative of identity often falls into predefined categories, Mostly Me by Collin Hall emerges as a refreshing beacon of self-discovery.

Released on September 18 by Gloo Books, this picture book takes readers on a captivating journey, skillfully illustrating the complexities of biracial identity.

Author and Illustrator

Written by Collin Hall and beautifully illustrated by Crystal Dawn Chaffee, both of whom share a biracial heritage, Mostly Me is a heartfelt project born from personal experiences. Collin embarked on this creative journey shortly after the birth of his first daughter, driven by a powerful desire to equip her with the tools to embrace her multiracial identity.

Collin Hall is a proud biracial Korean/American based in Austin, TX, offering a voice that resonates deeply with those navigating the intricate terrain of identity.

Diverse Representation

According to the *Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s 2022 Diversity Statistics database, only 0.7% of children’s books published in 2022 were authored by multiracial individuals and focused on multiracial characters.

Collin’s Personal Journey

Collin Hall shares, “The biggest hurdle for this project was the internal identity-wrestling before words were even on paper. Having to re-engage with a part of myself I had avoided for a long time was hard, and typically paired with a good dose of uncertainty and guilt. Finding my own footing was, and is, a process, but one that put me in a much better spot to discuss multiracial identity with my own kids in the future.”

He also shared how re-learning Korean nursery rhymes was also a challenge and that it took longer than he expected.

Embracing In-Between Spaces

Mostly Me may be short and whimsical, but it carries a profound message—it’s entirely acceptable to exist within the fluid spaces of identity. It encourages individuals to wholeheartedly embrace all aspects of their heritage, irrespective of societal expectations.

I’ve got some green, I’ve got some blue. 

Some have asked, “So what are you?” 

Not quite blue, not fully green. 

I’m something new. I’m in-between.

Affirmation and Unity

Mostly Me serves as an affirmation, resonating with Collin and Crystal’s own experiences and the experiences of every multiracial child navigating the intricate landscape of identity. It instills the confidence to boldly claim one’s space in the world, reminding us all that there is no universal guidebook for this journey. Instead, it offers the comfort of shared emotions, questions, and experiences.

Within the pages of Mostly Me, Collin Hall extends an invitation to readers to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. This remarkable book celebrates the beauty of embracing multiracial identities, encourages us to revel in the uniqueness of our individual narratives, and, above all, empowers us to find the strength to assert our presence in a wonderfully diverse world.

As we eagerly anticipate its release, Mostly Me promises to inspire and resonate with readers of all backgrounds, young and old, seeking to understand the rich tapestry of identity that defines us all.

CONNECT WITH COLLIN HALL / MOSTLY ME

Instagram: @mistercollin

Order here: gloobooks.com/products/mostly-me

Gloo Books: @gloobooks

*Independent analysis of data accessed on 07/02/2023 by Gloo Books using the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC), School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison Diversity Statistics Book Search (https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/diversity-statistics-book-search/). Permission to publish granted by the CCBC 07/13/2023.

Related Articles

Image Source: K.M. Cannon / Las Vegas Review-Journal

News

Rochelle Nguyen Sits As The First Asian American Nevada Senator

Clark County Commission appoints Nevada’s first Asian American senator, Rochelle Nguyen, a state assemblywoman. 

“I plan on working hard to ensure we are adequately funding our public schools, that health care is affordable as well as accessible, and that all voices are represented,” Nguyen said, who will replace former state Sen. Chris Brooks for a job in the private sector.

Nguyen was nominated by Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas. The new Nevada senator’s appointment to the Finance, Judiciary, and Health and Human Services committees for the next parliamentary session was made public by the Democratic caucus. She will hold the position’s vice chair.

The caucus acknowledged her efforts on “landmark” legislation, which included reforming the criminal justice system, regulating short-term rental agencies, and advocating for victims of domestic abuse.

When Brooks was elected to the state Senate in 2019, Clark County made the decision to nominate Nguyen to replace Brooks in the Assembly. She eventually won the election for the seat in both 2020 and 2022.

  • 1 min read
Image Source: Vedant Fashions

News

Vedant Fashions Founder Made It To India’s Richest List From Selling Affordable Indian Wedding Couture

Ravi Modi started Vedant Fashions in 1999 with the Manyavar brand, selling pajamas, saris, sherwanis(long-sleeved outer coats), kurtas, lehengas (ankle-length skirt), and salwar sets (trouser-and-tunic combination).

Vedant Fashions designs clothes but outsources bulk of the manufacturing. It currently has 590 outlets in 228 Indian towns and 13 in North America and the UAE. 

Manyavar is its flagship men’s line, while Mohey is its 2015 women’s collection. Both are mid-premium or affordable aspirational.

According to Forbes, Modi listed 15% of the company on the Indian stock exchanges in February—the basis of his $3.75 billion fortune that adds him to the ranks of India’s richest this year for the first time.

Modi grew up with three sisters in Kolkata. His father was a first-generation entrepreneur who opened a clothes company in 1975. Kolkata’s AC Market is one of the city’s earliest air-conditioned markets, including clothing, jewelry, and electronics retailers. 

The 45-year-old billionaire lives in a big bungalow on the outskirts of Kolkata where he grows his own fruits and vegetables. With 30 years of retail expertise, he provides a fresh perspective on money and career. “Earning wealth without earning time is meaningless,” he told Forbes.

Moreover, according to Forbes, he spends a quarter of his time on business, asset management, and philanthropy, and the rest on health, relationships, and learning. His daily activities include meditation, yoga, and studying strategies of retailers such as LVMH, Nike, and Uniqlo.

  • 2 min read
Image Source: G’s Kpop Kilig Facebook

Stories

13-Year-Old Took Her Fangirling Into Greater Heights, Opens a K-Pop Inspired Milk Tea Shop

Filipino teenager Given Mendoza turned her fangirling into a business. As a K-Pop fan, she loves collecting merch of her favorite Korean pop idols. 

Given realized that these items can increase in value. She then found a way to earn by reselling them and worked on growing the business.

With the business’ great potential, the 13-year-old launched her online store, G’s KPop Kilig, “I decided to buy some albums for myself. I also bought some extra albums to sell, to see if I can earn profit,” she told the local news.

Later on, she was able to save enough to open a physical store in Baguio City, Philippines, and sells milk tea and K-Pop merch. As an “Army ”of the popular Korean group BTS, she also incorporates some inspiration to her milk teas.

  • 1 min read
Image Source: AFP News Agency

Stories

British-Pakistani Chef Ali Ahmed Aslam Who Invented Chicken Tikka Masala Passes Away at 77

Ali Ahmed Aslam, a chef who is thought to have created Britain’s favorite curry the ‘chicken tikka masala’, passed away at the age of 77.

Aslam’s death was announced by his Glasgow restaurant, Shish Mahal, which closed for 48 hours as a sign of respect. His funeral was held at Glasgow Central Mosque, where the public was invited to attend.

Aslam was born in Pakistan and moved to Glasgow as a child, establishing Shish Mahal in 1964.

Aslam told the AFP news agency that he came up with the chicken tikka masala in the 1970s after a customer asked if there was a way to make his chicken tikka less dry. He then added a creamy tomato sauce.

In 2009, Aslam advocated for the city to be recognized as the chicken tikka masala’s birthplace.

He pushed for Glasgow to get EU Protected Designation of Origin status for its curry and introduced an early-day motion. However, several other places in the UK have claimed to have originated the dish.

  • 1 min read