This week actress Gabrielle Union and retired NBA star husband Dwyane Wade released their first children’s book, Shady Baby, inspired by the free-spirited 2-year-old daughter, Kaavia’s signature side-eye.
“It was very clear when she came into the world, and we all thought it was a little weird having a baby so young be able to get facial expressions and using their eyes,” Wade tells E! News. “But then we realized where it came from; it was a reaction to other people.”
The toddler’s chilling side-eye and death glare has made her an internet sensation. Kaavia’s facial expressions inspired her parents to start a parody page. The page verbalizes Kaavia’s facial expressions and moods.
The book Shady Baby “turns shade into a superpower,” teaching children that they can express different emotions and viewpoints.
“Shady is her superpower because when Kaavia gives you a look, it’s either you’re not respecting her boundaries or something is happening that she doesn’t like,” Union explains to People.
For a world filled with stigmas crippling Black women and girls’ self-image, Kaavia’s ability to be her authentic self is breathtaking.
“The main takeaway is that she’s free to be this amazing, dynamic, shady at times, loving at times Black little girl when the world has not been so kind to Black girls and women,” says Union
“People see themselves in Kaav,” Wade explains. “Some days, you don’t feel like doing your hair. And some days, you want to give people shade.”
Be sure to pick up Shady Baby on shelves now or click here to purchase.