“Growing up, I tried to be like everyone else. I played the same sports, wore the same clothes and acted the same way as all my friends — but none of that made me truly happy. As I got older and gained confidence, I realized that what made me different is also what made me STRONG.”
—Rob Kearney
Strength takes on a whole new meaning in Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood’s inspiring children’s book Strong (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers). This picture book tells the life story of co-author Kearney, North American champion, world-record holder and the only openly gay professional strongman in the world.
From his early childhood, Kearney was drawn to feats of great strength. He lifted weights, played football and even launched other cheerleaders into the air. Then Kearney was introduced to the Strongman competition, and something clicked. He fell in love with the sport, but there was one problem — all the strongmen that Kearney saw wore dark, drab clothing, nothing like the bright colors he usually donned in his daily life.
At first Kearney dressed himself in the same gloomy colors as the rest of his competitors. But it felt wrong; it felt like he wasn’t dressed as himself. But with the encouragement of his boyfriend, Joey, Kearney gained the confidence to wear brightly-colored clothes during competitions — and even dye his hair in a rainbow Mohawk! By embracing his true self, Kearney was able to show the world how being yourself can be the best award of all.
CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH EVERY DAY
Strong is a deeply earnest read with authenticity palpable on every page. Chronicling both Kearney’s professional career and personal journey to self-expression, the book serves as a model for children in need of self-confidence. Through Kearney’s guidance, kids will be inspired to embrace and celebrate their individuality, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The book’s writing is simple and straightforward, easy for young readers to absorb. Alongside the story, Nidhi Chanani’s colorful illustrations perfectly depict the brightly hued world that Kearney has crafted for himself. Together, the two elements coalesce to create an uplifting tale of fighting adversity through courage and determination.
The inspiration doesn’t stop with the end of the narrative; in the back of the book, Kearney has included a letter for readers, encouraging them to stay strong and believe in themselves. He also includes LGBTQIA+ resources for additional reading, from accompanying children’s books to websites like Athlete’s Ally and the You Can Play Project. With this added collection, kids can see how just how much support is out there for those who need it.
With Strong, the talents of Kearney, Rosswood and Chanani come together to provide readers with an empathetic and moving story all about the power of accepting yourself for who you are. It’s the perfect read to round out Pride Month, and to revisit year-round anytime you need a reminder of the strength that we all hold within ourselves.
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About Rob Kearney:
Rob Kearney is an American Professional Strongman as well as the first and only openly gay professional strongman in the world.
Rob decided to compete in the Heavyweight class where he took 1st place in the 2016 Log Lift World Championships and has gone on to compete at Worlds Strongest Man. Rob is a Giants Live Champion (North American Open 2017) as well as an Arnold International World Series Champion (Australia 2019).
Along with Strongman, Rob and his Husband Joey have become advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Together, they hope to break the stereotype of how the LGBTQ+ community is perceived and show the world that regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity you can be strong and follow your passions.
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About Eric Rosswood:
Eric Rosswood is an author and commentator on LGBTQ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics. He has led panels on LGBTQ parenting issues for organizations such as the Family Equality Council and the Modern Family Alliance.
His bestselling book, Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood, won numerous awards including the best Parenting/Family/Relationships book in the IAN Book of the Year Awards, the best Parenting book in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the best LGBTQ Non-Fiction book in the International Best Book Awards. Eric is represented for his children’s books by Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
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About Nidhi Chanani:
Nidhi Chanani is a freelance illustrator, cartoonist and writer. She is the owner of Everyday Love Art. Born in Calcutta and raised in suburban southern California, Nidhi creates because it makes her happy — with the hope that it can make others happy, too. In April of 2012 she was honored by the Obama Administration as a Champion of Change. She is an instructor in the Master of Fine Arts, Comics program at the California College of Arts.
Her media appearances include CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 and BBC Radio. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, the Women’s March, My Modern Met, Bored Panda and India Times. Nidhi has worked with Disney, ABC, Airbnb, Sony, Microsoft, State Farm Insurance and a variety of other clients. Her non-fiction comics have appeared in the Nib. Everyday Love Art products are sold in retail shops across the country, including the San Francisco International Airport, Books Inc., and Therapy stores.
Nidhi draws and dreams every day with her husband, daughter and their cat in the San Francisco Bay Area.
