JUSTINE SIMMONS: Mommy Dearest

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Justine Simmons, the beloved mom on MTV's wildly popular reality series 'Run's House.' will be making her literary debut with the children's book 'God Can You Hear Me?' later this month.

She worked extensively with celebrated illustration artist Robert Papp --over the past several months-- to give birth to the book. The 32 page, oversized hardcover captures the questions and prayers young children ask as they confront moments of loss, confusion and sadness.

"As a child you are blessed to have the opportunity to create a wonderful friendship with God for the rest of your life. Take advantage of it," the woman who can be simply referred to as "The Hip-Hop Generation's Claire Huxtable," writes in the last page of the multicultural offering, geared towards children ages 5 to 10 years old.

"This is the ideal resource for parents and children as they work through whatever is taking place in their lives, tapping into the very hearts and spiritual concerns in an accessible, universal way," said Amistad/ Harper Collins publicist Gilda N. Squire.

Simmons and her husband, Rev Run, (of Run DMC) recently suffered the tragic loss of their newborn daughter, Victoria. "Until now, Justine remained silent about losing Victoria, choosing instead to privately grieve," Squire added. "That there are parallels between the book and her family's own experiences make this publication all the more poignant and timely."

The book hits stores on Jan. 23 and will retail for $16.99.

BV Extras:

-- Rev. Run shares his 'Testimony.'