Claremont COURIER/Friday, April 14, 2017 5
Childrens author talks about Claremont roots, tricky emotions
G
reg McGoon wants to
help kids navigate the
complicated world
around them, and the even more
complicated inner world of their
feelings.
Hes not one to lecture or offer heavy-
handed advice, though. Instead, the 2004
CHS graduate relies on the power of sto-
ry to change attitudes and lives.
Mr. McGoon has published three chil-
drens books, each marked by an unusual
protagonist. Out of the Box (2014) shares
the adventures of a kid whose oversized
imagination is ignited by a cardboard box,
and who craves a friend to dream along with
him.
The story speaks to anyone whos felt
like an outlier, offering hope thatthough
it may take timetheyll one day find a kin-
dred spirit. It also encourages kids, grow-
ing up in a digital world, to savor the pleas-
ure of using simple objects to get creative.
For me as a child, a box could be mag-
ical. Crumbled paper could become trees,
and sheets could flow mightier than any wa-
terfall. Jungles, swamps, rivers and deserts
were no more out of reach than your own
bedroom, Mr. McGoon said. The imag-
ination can translate any idea, no matter how
absurd, into a playful, smile-inducing re-
ality.
Mr. McGoons second book, The Roy-
al Heart (2015), is a fairy tale with a trans-
gender twist. Illustrated in a Disney-esque
style by Jessa Orr, it follows a prince named
Lyric who, though his father assures him
hell make a great king, feels like an im-
poster rather than royalty.
As the kingdom gathers for his 16th
birthday party, Lyric runs away to the for-
est where he meets the spirit of his grand-
mother. She urges him to reveal who he re-
ally is and, at the end of the magical en-
counter, hes transformed into a lovely
young woman.
The king and queen are surprised but
welcome Princess Lyra, as she asks to be
called, with open arms. The king assures
her shell always be his child, and that she
possesses all the qualities needed to lead the
kingdom.
People who are transgender often en-
counter a less accepting attitude. As many
as 41 percent of transgender people have
attempted suicide, most often as teens, ac-
cording to a study by the National Center
for Transgender Equality and the Nation-
al Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Given such telling statistics, The Roy-
al Heart has been hailed as a powerful book
by media outlets ranging from the Huffin-
gton Post to Seventeen Magazine. The book
goes above and beyond flipping that
tired old princess-script in ways that will
warm even the coldest and deadest hearts,
according to an MTV.com article.
The Royal Heart has also drawn the at-
tention of parents and therapists working
to help trans kids thrive; its included as a
recommended resource in the book Rais-
ing the Transgender Child: A Complete
Guide for Parents, Families and Care-
givers.
It definitely spoke to my transgender 7-
year-old daughter, but it is a story about ac-
cepting yourself, unconditional love and
finding your place in societyit speaks to
all readers, one mother shared.
Mr. McGoon emphasizes that while
the story features a trans heroine, The Roy-
al Heart is aimed at all children.
Anyone who is personally struggling to
reveal a part of themselves can relate to this
story, he said. This fantastical moment
of transformation aside, letting yourself be
free from the burden of denial is powerful
for anyone. I want everyone to feel like they
can have their own Once upon a time.
Mr. McGoon also hopes the book will
prepare non-transgender kids for the like-
ly moment when they encounter a peer who
struggles with gender identity. It is nev-
er too early to teach children about ac-
ceptance, he said.
He plans to write a series of a Royal
Heart books, focused on main characters
who are on the LGBTQ spectrum.
Mr. McGoons non-traditional spin on a
traditional fairytale is what enticed Pelekine-
sis Press founder Mark Givens to take a
chance on publishing The Royal Heart.
Its about whether youre happy and sat-
isfied, and the ways the family can support
a child. I thought it was really interesting,
Mr. Givens said.
Mr. McGoons most colorful effort to
date is Traveling the Twisting Trou-
bling Tanglelows Trail (2015), a childrens
book that personifies self-defeating thoughts
as furry critters that can be tamed, if you
know what to look for.
The book, which has also been re-
leased through Pelekinesis, has met with ap-
proval by parents in the blogging com-
munity, as well as by educators and ther-
apists.
No child should fear self-expression, or
live in fear of sharing their thoughts, Mr.
McGoon said. By acknowledging the Tan-
glelows inside our minds, we can begin to
learn how to address some of our fears, wor-
ries and doubts.
Mr. Givens noted that Mr. McGoon,
whose next Tanglelows book is due out next
April, is proving to be prolific.
Turns out hes got these stories just com-
ing out his ears, he said. Greg can
knock these things outhis mind goes
more than a mile a minute.
From the stage to the page
While he never doubted he wanted to
work in the arts, Mr. McGoon didnt expect
to pursue the literary life.
He grew up in Claremont, attending
Photo courtesy of Greg McGoon
Former Claremont resident and author Greg McGoon.
Foothill Country Day School and Condit great deal of perseverance, listening, read-
and spending hours in the local confec- ing, reflection, empathy, patience and fo-
tioners shop owned by his mother, The Can- cus. All those skills are essential to my writ-
dy Bar (now Bert & Rockys). This unusual ing as well, he said. Theater challenged
background informs another childrens me to take the time to learn and understand
book he is working on, an autobiograph- myself and, by doing so, I was better
ical fantasy in prose and poetry called A equipped to engage with others and em-
Kid From a Candy Store. brace other characters.
Starting in sixth grade, he participated in Mr. McGoon attended the University of
the Claremont School of Theater Arts San Diego, earning a degree in psycholo-
(CSTA) summer program. He then threw gy and political science, and eventually set-
himself into the Claremont High School tled in Manhattan where hes worked as a
theater program. He took on numerous roles model, actor, art director and concept
and dabbled in directing as well as scenic artist. In 2012, he founded a nonprofit proj-
painting and design. ect-based arts organization called Artcen-
Mr. McGoon said CHS Theater Direc- tricity Inc.
tor Krista Elhai instilled a work ethic that Hes now spending the majority of his
parallels much of what I have experienced time writing, giving readings and making
in the professional world. appearances at schools and other venues.
CHS theater also brought him together Mr. McGoon has advice for anyone who,
with his illustrator, an Upland resident who like him, has story ideas that just wont go
at the time worked as a technical theater in- away.
structor as well as in scenic design. Whether Write them down. Write the story first,
rendering a prince-turned-princess to rival without thinking if any one will read it. If
Cinderella or depicting negative emotions you arent excited by every word you write
in a Seussical style, Mr. McGoon said Ms. down, reflect on that, until you have a piece
Orr is an ideal collaborator. Shes able to that you are proud to share, he said.
interpret my quick sketches and ideas and His books are available through online
turn them into something presentable, he retailers like Amazon, AbeBooks and
said. Barnes & Noble. The Royal Heart and the
Though hes left the theater behind for Tanglelows are also available on pelekine-
the moment, Mr. McGoon says his on-stage sis.com. For more information, visit gregm-
experiences have been hugely influential. cgoon.com.
Without theater, I doubt I would be writ- Sarah Torribio
storribio@claremont-courier.com
ing as much as I do. Theater demands a