DALLAS, January 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Billy thought he might never measure up to everyone else, but it only takes one accident to prove the opposite. Herman Russell tells an inspirational tale in his new children's book, Little Billy Big (now available through AuthorHouse).
The book, aimed at children in elementary grades, follows the troubled steps of Billy. Even though Billy is 12 years old, he looks as if he is 6. He is a regular kid on the inside, yet all people see is the little person on the outside. All the other kids in his school alienate him by calling him names. Although Billy is a dwarf, his heart is twice as big as anyone else's.
Every day, he follows far behind the other kids to play in the abandoned rail yard in their Dallas neighborhood. When an accident occurs one day, and a girl's life hangs in the balance, only Billy can rescue her. In the process he proves to everyone, even adults, that he is just as big as anyone else.
Richly illustrated by Lin Anderson, Little Billy Big is an insightful tale that teaches children to never underestimate anyone just because they are different.
Russell's story ideas are inspired by his extensive experience in psychiatric social work with adjudicated and emotionally challenged adolescents in Illinois. In the 1970s, he worked with the Chicago Youth Organization, the inner city Summer in the Parks youth program in Washington, D.C. and the Unified Delinquency Intervention Services project in association with the Illinois State Psychiatric Institute. Russell also produces inspirational television shorts, "Bootstraps...Pull Yourself Up By Your Own," which chronicles the lives of successful Americans, such as inventors, scientists and educators.
AuthorHouse is the world leader in publishing and print-on-demand services. Founded in 1997, AuthorHouse has helped more than 18,500 people worldwide become published authors. For more information, visit www.authorhouse.com.
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