Mary J. Blige has released her first children’s book “Mary Can!”
The book is said to be a fun and inspirational story that teaches young readers they can be anything and that they are enough.
Early last month, the undisputed queen of hip hop soul took to social media to unveil its first copy. 
The book is an inspirational and motivational tale about a little girl who shows that anyone can turn their dream into a reality if they believe in themselves. “I’m so excited about Mary Can! I almost want to cry because it’s funny how you can go through so much hell, and it can turn into someone else’s heaven. This book is dedicated to little kids all over the world that feel like they can’t. Remember, I said ‘Mary Can!’ and you can too. It was inspired [by] a real part of my life.”
The premise of the book is that young Mary has been told that there are many things she can’t do. Like stay up past bedtime, or be an astronaut or become president. But what she really wants is to sing, and she isn’t about to let anyone tell her she can’t do it!
Mary Can! aims to be a motivating story that teaches young children that dreams come true if they believe in themselves.
Brought to life with imaginative illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning illustrator Ashleigh Corrin, Mary Can! is perfect for go-getters who aren’t afraid to be a YES in a world full of NOs.
Blige has previously stated that, like the story’s character, people used to tell her “no” and what she couldn’t do. But instead of letting it tear her down, she said it motivated her even more. “And I use all of that to help someone, a little girl somewhere in the world whose being told that she can’t, that you can do whatever that you put your mind and your heart to,” she continued. “Remember you can do it ’cause Mary Can! too.”
“It feels unreal opening the first copy of my picture book!” Blige captioned her IG post. “This is so personal for me. Thank you, Harper Kids and Ashleigh Corrin, for making this dream come true. Preorders are available through the link in my bio.”
In November 2022, the New York native announced on IG that she had written the book based on her childhood and adult experiences. “My hope with this book is that it instils in kids from an early age that they can do anything they aspire to do,”
