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by Cheryl Mitchell Gaines (Author), Ty Schafrath (Illustrator)
KwesiMan and Fuzzyland is a story about a Black five-year-old boy turned superhero. But his kryptonite is the same as millions of inner-city children who battle chronic asthma. This children's story sets both KwesiMan and his family on a fun, colorful, informative and rhythmic ride to win out over the Fuzzies, threatening to clog up his airways and make KwesiMan sick. Mom and his 12-year-old brother use traditional strategies like taking extra measures to make the house dust free. The strategy works for a while but the Fuzzies, i.e., the ever-persistent dust mites, come back. So, the battle rages on.
As the story continues, KwesiMan kicks up his faith to fight the Fuzzies. He calls on Bible passages that encourage and strengthen him to believe he can overcome any obstacle, especially the Fuzzies. He says, "I am more than a conqueror. I can't stay down " These faith-filled words precede his transformation into the masked superhero who fights the Fuzzies to the end. His shoes, sword, cape and shield are reminiscent of God's armor of protection. His resilience of spirit is meant to inspire others, that they too, can overcome obstacles and disease. The book also shares facts, stats and a resource guide for parents, childcare providers and healthcare advocates and professionals to open the dialogue with children about asthma. It also helps to lessen the stigma that children often feel who have childhood diseases like asthma.
