Children Who Dance in the Rain is the first book from BC-based legal children’s advocate and author Susan Justice. Since its US launch in May, the book has already won multiple awards including the 2023 Cultural Awareness Children’s Book of the Year. The book will be available in Canada from June 15th.
Justice is a lawyer and a legal children’s advocate, based in Abbotsford, who is the co-founder of South Asians Against Childhood Abuse and will be donating part of the proceeds from the book to charities around the globe. As a woman of color who was bullied as a child for her South Asian heritage, she is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people.
Children Who Dance in the Rain will provide families and educators of young children an opportunity to have a dialogue about these important themes. 100% percent of net proceeds from every fourth copy of Justice’s book will go to Save The Children, GiveWell, and Bright Sparks School in Mohali, India, which are dedicated to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children. The book is available now for pre-order on Amazon and will be available in Chapters-Indigo stores. We had the pleasure to speak with Susan about the book and her related projects.
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Children Who Dance in the Rain is your first book. Since its release, it’s won multiple awards including the 2023 Cultural Awareness and Children’s Book of the Year. Please tell us more about the origins and the book and how you came to write it
Children Who Dance in the Rain is a deeply personal project. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a mother who instilled in me a strong sense of social justice and the importance of helping those who had less. Our lives were modest, yet I soon realized that we possessed far more privileges than children in less prosperous countries.
The disparity hit me with full force during a transformative visit to India. Expecting an exciting adventure, I was instead confronted by the harsh reality faced by many children there. Despite their few possessions, these children displayed an extraordinary spirit of sharing and an unwavering ability to find joy even amidst adversity. We formed a unique bond, dancing and singing together in the rain.
Their ability to find happiness with so little initially perplexed me. However, as I matured, I began to understand the true meaning of privilege. These children taught me the profound value of gratitude for the simplest of things.
Motivated by the deep connection I felt with their struggles; I felt a strong urge to make a positive impact in their lives. I realized that their challenges were intertwined with my own liberation and that we are all part of a global community. Returning to North America, I couldn’t turn a blind eye to the pressing issues faced by children closer to home. The indomitable spirit of those resilient children in India stayed with me, igniting a passion that transformed into advocacy. My efforts initially focused on children in North America but soon expanded to include those in developing countries.
Children Who Dance in the Rain is a transformative journey. It serves as a mirror, reflecting the resilience, joy, and spirit of those children I met in India, who continued to dance in the rain despite their hardships. Through this book, my goal is to share their powerful narrative with children worldwide, shedding light on the true meaning of privilege in Western societies.
Furthermore, my quest to find a book that would convey to children, including my own, the extent of their fortune and the blessings bestowed upon them led me to read hundreds of children’s books. However, I found that the children’s literary world lacked a crucial element – the opportunity for young readers to learn about the underprivileged children who didn’t wait for the storm to pass but miraculously learned to dance in the rain. These children exuded kindness, resilience, and gratitude, qualities often overlooked in children’s literature.
Children Who Dance in the Rain aims to fill this gap, providing young readers with a powerful and meaningful narrative that entertains and enlightens them. Through this book, children will embark on a journey mirroring my own, witnessing the remarkable resilience and unwavering spirit of the children I encountered in India. It encourages children to reflect on their own blessings, fostering empathy and understanding toward those less fortunate.
By incorporating the experiences of underprivileged children who refuse to let their circumstances define them, Children Who Dance in the Rain strives to instill in young readers a sense of appreciation, a call to action, and a realization that they too, can make a difference in the lives of others. It is my hope that through the pages of this book, children will be not only entertained but also inspired to embrace kindness, resilience, and gratitude in their own lives. By helping those in need, they can contribute to creating a more compassionate world.
Children Who Dance in the Rain is more than just a story; it catalyzes change. It reminds children of their inherent capacity to make a difference and urges them to spread kindness and compassion wherever they go. Let us dance in the rain together and nurture a brighter future for all.
As mentioned, the book has already received much-deserved accolades. How surprised are you by its warm reception?
I am incredibly overwhelmed and touched by the numerous accolades that Children Who Dance in the Rain has received. The outpouring of love and support from people around the world has been beyond my expectations. I am astonished and deeply grateful for the warm reception the book has garnered. It is a humbling experience to witness the story’s impact on readers’ lives. These honors serve as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the connections it creates across cultures. I am filled with renewed purpose and inspired to continue sharing impactful stories.
You’re the co-founder of South Asians Against Childhood Abuse and will be donating part of the proceeds from the book to charities around the globe. Can you tell us more about the charity and what you do?
Abuse within the South Asian community is a distressing reality. The chilling statistic that one in three girls and one in four boys are likely to experience sexual abuse before they turn 18 is a wake-up call. Yet, these alarming figures are often buried under the rug, reinforcing a cycle of silence and denial.
What’s particularly troubling is the fact that a significant amount of abuse stems from those within the family circle or close friends. When these courageous children gather the strength to share their painful experiences with a trusted adult, they’re sadly met with dismissive responses. Instead of receiving the help they need or sparking actions to hold the abusers accountable, they’re advised to suppress their stories. This not only allows the abusers to go unpunished but may also expose the child to further harm.
The echoes of childhood abuse persist long into adulthood, leaving lasting scars. Too many survivors carry a misplaced sense of guilt, thinking they were at fault for the horrors inflicted upon them. The harsh reality that their abusers often continue to be part of their lives, devoid of any repercussions, only adds to their pain.
Several people I know have been trapped in the shadows of such traumatic experiences. Despite the passage of years, they’re still tangled in this difficult web, forced to face their abusers in everyday life.
To address this, we must shatter the silence. Starting open discussions about abuse in the South Asian community is an important step – this is precisely what South Asians Against Childhood Abuse does. We advocate for those children who haven’t had a voice. We are fighting for the South Asian community to acknowledge what is happening, create awareness, and promote open dialogue about the harsh realities of childhood sexual abuse in the South Asian community. Our goal is to break the silence and the patterns of abuse. Many are oblivious to the enormity of this issue simply because it’s not given the attention it needs.
100% percent of net proceeds from every fourth copy will go to Save The Children, GiveWell, and Bright Sparks School in Mohali, India, which are dedicated to providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children. Can you tell us more about your chosen charities and the severity of the issue in India?
Save The Children is an international non-profit organization that works in over 100 countries. It focuses on providing health care, education, and disaster relief resources for children in need. Save The Children has been instrumental in providing aid to India, where millions of children are impacted by poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate access to education.
GiveWell, another renowned non-profit, rigorously vets and promotes a select group of charities that effectively improve lives. They use an evidence-based approach to select charities that provide the most significant impact per dollar. GiveWell’s model ensures that your donations are utilized efficiently and reach those most in need, which includes many impoverished communities in India.
Bright Sparks School in Mohali, India, is another commendable organization. This institution is committed to providing quality education for underprivileged children. Education is a fundamental stepping stone toward breaking the cycle of poverty, and Bright Sparks School serves as a beacon of hope for many families.
The situation in India is quite severe. The country grapples with high poverty rates and has millions of children living in challenging conditions. Inadequate nutrition, insufficient access to clean water and sanitation, poor health care services, and limited educational opportunities are major obstacles for many Indian children. It’s an unfortunate truth that these conditions inhibit their potential and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
From research, to what extent does South Asia’s data compare with this crisis globally, and how can we play our part in protecting society’s most vulnerable?
Based on research, South Asia faces significant challenges in combating poverty and addressing sexual abuse, often at levels higher than the global average. For instance, the World Bank states that while global poverty rates have been cut by more than half since 2000, in South Asia, a significant portion of the population still lives below the international poverty line. Child poverty, in particular, remains a profound issue.
Regarding sexual abuse, a 2014 UNICEF report indicated that in South Asia, approximately 36% of girls and 29% of boys had experienced sexual violence. Globally, the rates are slightly lower, at around 18% for girls and 8% for boys. However, the actual figures may be even higher due to the issue’s sensitivity and the prevailing culture of silence.
We all can play our part in protecting society’s most vulnerable in several ways. Firstly, by raising awareness about these issues within our own communities and networks. Conversations lead to understanding, which can drive collective action. We can also support organizations like Save The Children, GiveWell, and Bright Sparks School, working tirelessly to protect and uplift vulnerable children. Donating to such organizations or volunteering our time and skills can make a real difference. Furthermore, advocating for better policies and regulations can lead to significant systemic change. This could involve reaching out to local representatives or supporting campaigns that aim to strengthen child protection systems and support marginalized communities.
Where can our readers find out more about you? (please provide any social media links)
@thejusticelawyer (Instagram)
linkedin.com/in/justicesusan (Linkedin)
www.compassion.press (website)
Photo credit: Deep Singh, courtesy of Susan Justice
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