A 9-year-old Utah boy is making national waves with his new graphic novel series that casts his parents as the villains, calling them “stupid parents” and turning family frustrations into creative storytelling. JR, the young author, launched his hit series featuring a heroic figure called Emerald Warrior who battles his controlling mom and dad in “Emerald Warrior vs. Stupid Parents.” The books have quickly gained attention after JR’s mom, health educator StacyLyn Goulding, shared them on Instagram, igniting laughter and intrigue nationwide.
Young Author Turns Family Tension Into Art
JR created the graphic novels as a reaction to his parents imposing rules and restrictions on him late one night. After being disciplined, the boy reportedly said,
“I’m going to write a book about you guys to embarrass you!”
—and he followed through. JR’s mom StacyLyn explained that the family avoids negative language like the word “stupid,” which made JR’s choice to label them as “stupid parents” even more notable.
In the first book, Emerald Warrior defeats the “stupid parents” who boss kids around, eventually tossing them into the ocean. The series continued with another book titled “Emerald Warrior vs. No Mom,” inspired by JR’s frustration about being denied a restaurant outing despite having a birthday gift card. In this installment, Emerald Warrior sprays “Yes Spray” on the “No Mom” so she answers “yes” instead of “no” to all kid requests — an imaginative pushback on parental limits.
Viral Reaction and Creative Outlet
StacyLyn and her husband Zach, a therapist, are both amused and proud of JR’s artistic outlet. They see the books as a positive channel for him to express his feelings while building his storytelling skills. StacyLyn said that building these stories has helped JR master narrative flow, consistently crafting five-page arcs with climaxes and resolutions.
JR’s mother posted,
“Even though he makes them in anger, he also loves our reaction,”
describing his joy when she laughs while reading his work aloud. The family expects more editions, as JR has promised additional tales targeting his parents if restrictions continue.
National Spotlight on Kid Creativity
The story emerges amid growing interest in children’s voices and creative coping during family conflicts. JR’s series highlights how young authors can use humor and art to reflect and reshape their realities. For readers in Montana and across the US, this tale offers a reminder of the power of imagination to transform everyday tensions, seen through a youthful lens.
JR’s rapid success also shines a light on the wider literary world of child authors and illustrated storytelling. The backdrop to JR’s story is Rosalie Colosi, a New Jersey-based reporter and children’s book author with bylines in top outlets, who helped bring this story to the public. Colosi’s professional work spans dozens of nonfiction children’s books for major publishers like Scholastic and Nat Geo Kids—adding credibility to the viral story’s reach and impact.
What’s Next for JR’s Series
As JR continues to craft more adventures featuring Emerald Warrior and his battle against the “villainous” parents, the Goulding family braces for more playful pushback. Parents, educators, and readers nationally are watching with interest to see how this young author channels childhood frustrations into a creative legacy—and whether his “stupid parents” will ever win a round.
