Mother-Daughter Duo Teach Diversity Through Coloring Books

Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 3 MIN.

Mother-daughter team Rebecca Wilson Macsovits and Rebecca Webb Wilson, both book authors, tap into their creative sides to deliver inspiration to young and mature alike in their books, "Guion the Lion: A Colorful World" and "Well Seasoned: Savoring Life's Lessons."

"Teaching our kids acceptance and diversity is key to steering them towards a rich, fulfilling life," said Macsovits. "I'm so excited that 'Guion the Lion' can be used as a platform to teach this message."

Bright colors, engaging characters and an inspirational theme combine for an instant classic in "Guion the Lion: A Colorful World," by Macsovits. Guion (rhymes with "lion") is a rainbow-colored lion that stands out in a world of black and white. He wants to find a way to bring back the color, but how?

While on his quest, Guion encounters a variety of animals, each struggling with a unique problem. Always kind and friendly, he does his best to help. To his delight, Guion eventually discovers that every time he helps someone, a little much-needed color comes back into the world.

"Well Seasoned: Savoring Life's Lessons" by Wilson chronicles the seasons of life, illuminated by her unconventional and uplifting philosophy, in a collage of breathtaking photographs and inspirational essays. By pairing carefully crafted words with more than one hundred vibrant, full-color images, Wilson savors the clarity that time and experience make possible for all who journey.

Sprinkled with thoughtful quotations and fragments of poetry, her unique book shares her abundant gratitude for the sudden surprises and unexpected joys revealed in nature's seasons, and her own passing seasons -- offering renewed hope to anyone hesitant about the aging process.

Macsovits approaches life, much like her mother, with a sense of adventure and continually seeks out new people, information, and challenges to keep her invigorated. Although the majority of her career has been spent in marketing, her true creative spirit launched after the birth of her first child and continues to be cultivated by all three of her children.

Her oldest son, Guion, who has Down syndrome, brings a tremendous amount of joy to his family, and Macsovits regularly observes his siblings depending on him for help. She doesn't want others to discount his abilities just because he's different.

"I hope my first book, 'Guion the Lion,' will encourage young people to give and receive help from others who don't look exactly like them -- this is what makes our big world such a welcoming and colorful place," said Macsovits.??

Wilson has always felt a passion to see the world and experience all that it offers. She became a Pan Am stewardess to feed her curiosity. She has worn many hats, as a realtor, an assistant United States Attorney, and as founder of Bridge Builders, a youth leadership program that has had over 25,000 participants. Her long-time interest in wildlife found a focus when she became involved with the Memphis Zoological Society to totally remodel the zoo.

Now an avid traveler and accomplished nature photographer, Wilson has travelled to some of the world's most exotic locations and a total of 71 countries. She has hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, the Swiss Alps part of the Haute Route, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and The Milford Track in New Zealand.

Her book pays tribute to her deep sense of adventure and desire to capture the moment for all time. For readers, it offers a temporary respite from everyday life: to be immersed in beauty and tranquility and to reflect on their own tender memories. Wilson says it so well: "Rethink. Remember. Renew." ??


by Winnie McCroy , EDGE Editor

Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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