Inside Out Outside In sprouted from a conversation between Ruth Gordon and her lifelong friend, Billie Bernstein, at a local farmer’s market. Their discussion centered around fruits and vegetables that grow in a variety of colors: while they may look different on the outside, they are much the same on the inside, just like people! This light-bulb moment ignited a sudden chord with Ruth and inspired a literary undertaking between Ruth and Barbara. The duo developed this book to teach children the importance of embracing diversity, acceptance, and mutual understanding.