Acclaimed American actor, singer, director, composer, playwright and vocalist, Billy Porter, is now turning his hand to children’s writing with the upcoming publication of his latest book in Spring 2026. Songbird in the Light is a children’s story that Porter hopes will inspire children to sing, a passion that he claims saved his own life.
This new children’s book comes five years after his first book, an autobiography entitled Unprotected: A Memoir which explored his childhood, sexuality, HIV diagnosis, and of course his career which saw him rise to stardom originating the role of Lola in Kinky Boots before later starring as Pray Tell in the much-loved FX series, Pose. His children’s book promises to be as equally personal and deep, showcasing the power of finding your voice.
Speaking to People magazine, Billy Porter explained: “My voice is my saviour, the gift from on high. It’s my weapon, it’s my solace. It’s my peace. It’s my hope. It’s my joy. When I was a kid, it was all of those things. The reason why I’m alive is because I could sing.”
As a Black gay boy, Billy Porter experience a lot of bullying as child, and this is what first inspired him to write a children’s book. However, after he realised his first idea ‘Rockhead Bill’ was too violent for the target audience, he “learned very quickly that I actually could not do it alone, because I don’t really understand how to write for [kids].”
So, Porter teamed up with children’s book author Chris Clarkson and Award–winning illustrator Charly Palmer to bring a more hopeful version of young Billy’s story to the page.
A spread from ‘Songbird in the Light’ – credit: Abrams
In Songbird in the Light, “Mama says her little boy is a songbird with a voice bigger than his whole body. But at school, his classmates make fun of the way he walks and the way he talks—which makes him feel like a songbird too shy to sing,” an official synopsis reads.
“With the encouragement of his choir teacher, he embraces his talent, realizing that his voice is unique and distinct. When it’s time for the school showcase, he’s finally ready to embrace his joyful talent and share it with the world.”
Billy Porter recounts his childhood inspiration for the book’s story, explaining: “I was bullied mercilessly from like the first to the fifth grade. After signing up for and winning his school talent show, though, he “realized the power that was in these vocal cords. And it changed everything for me.”
He adds: “I created this book for my younger self. To be the thing that I did not actually have.
“You could be different and succeed, and be present and have hope. There is hope, and there is light, even when it doesn’t feel like it.”
Songbird in the Light is published by Abrams Books for Young Readers. It will be released on March 17th 2026, and is available to pre-order now.
