JVN wrote a children’s book—and it features a non-binary guinea pig

Jonathan Van Ness isn’t just amazing on Queer Eye, he’s also now a children’s author after publishing his first kid’s book, Peanut Goes For Gold, a storybook about a nonbinary guinea pig.

The character is based on Van Ness’s own childhood guinea pig and his own childhood. Van Ness identifies as gender nonbinary and wanted to create content for kids who feel the same.

“Growing up, the things that made me unique were not always celebrated, and I wanted to do something that would inspire kids to celebrate the things that make them special,” Van Ness told People. “With that being said, I’m so excited to announce my debut children’s book, Peanut Goes for the Gold, an inspiring story of a guinea pig rhythmic gymnastics prodigy.”

The book is about Peanut having their own unique way of moving through the world. Peanut is a unique individual and when they decide to become a rhythmic gymnast they do it their own way.

“You just have to learn to believe in yourself….” Van Ness previously told People. “Just be you, because everyone else is taken.”

In a previous interview with Out he explained: “The older I get, the more I think that I’m nonbinary—I’m gender nonconforming. Like, some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman. I don’t really—I think my energies are really all over the place. Any opportunity I have to break down stereotypes of the binary, I am down for it, I’m here for it. I think that a lot of times gender is used to separate and divide.”

This isn’t Ness’ first foray into publishing. He previously wrote a book for adults, his memoir, Over the Top, in which he revealed he’s HIV positive.

Hopefully the next generation won’t have as much breaking down to do, thanks in part to authors like Van Ness.