So full disclosure I haven't read the other books in this series, although from what I can tell the series is uneven generally. This one...I just don'So full disclosure I haven't read the other books in this series, although from what I can tell the series is uneven generally. This one...I just don't get it. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not a concept that resonates with me at all. It could be because I'm comparing it to Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas which is one of my all-time favorite holiday books, but...meh.
Merged review:
So full disclosure I haven't read the other books in this series, although from what I can tell the series is uneven generally. This one...I just don't get it. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not a concept that resonates with me at all. It could be because I'm comparing it to Santa's Crash-Bang Christmas which is one of my all-time favorite holiday books, but...meh....more
Another reviewer on here says this book "sexualizes children instead of telling them they are perfect the way they are." This reviewer and I must haveAnother reviewer on here says this book "sexualizes children instead of telling them they are perfect the way they are." This reviewer and I must have read different books because telling her kid he is perfect the way he is is exactly what this book does.
This is an own voices story the author tells about her own family and it is lovely. Just look at the joy on that kid's face on the cover.
To me, though, the line that earned this book its fifth star was the one where the big brother says it doesn't make sense and mom's answer is: "Not everything needs to make sense. This is about love." That and the scene with the grandfather are sheer perfection and made me want to give this book to everyone. ...more
For seven years I've been reading and reviewing LGBTQ+ picture books for kids every Pride Month, and I've never given one a single star. Ever. I didn'For seven years I've been reading and reviewing LGBTQ+ picture books for kids every Pride Month, and I've never given one a single star. Ever. I didn't want to be the person who came down on these books and they enough bad reviews. Even ones I really didn't like got a second star. But I'm just going to say it, this is bad. Like this is not a well done book. At all.
First of all, the art is beyond bland. Apparently this illustrator creates webcomics. This art felt to me like it was drawn by AI. Maybe it's a taste thing.
Secondly, the design is terrible. There's at least three different fonts in this book...one for the main text, one for the questions that seem to be asked at random...each double page spread ends with one except when they don't. And then there's a different font for captions in the pictures. Plus italics. Am I supposed to be reading this aloud? It's confusing.
Content wise...meh. I mean, it's there, there's some brief mentions of pronouns and things but I think it's confusing. The page that says different bodies have different parts points out elbows, noses and belly buttons. Doesn't everyone have a belly button? I have questions. And then we get to the page where it says some bodies have a vagina and some bodies have a penis and the illustration on that page has...the same kid (maybe) from different angles and one kid poking his head between his legs to look at the audience. All the kids in the pic are wearing clothes and the body parts mentioned aren't featured at all. Which maybe they didn't want to make this a biology book, but then maybe don't talk about body parts? Because other books do and they do it better.
And then we have the presidents. We're talking about imbalance of power...I guess...and maybe that makes sense but who is this for again? What's the age group? Because we've gone from identities to pronouns to toys to clothes to....presidents? That's quite a journey to take us on in a book aimed at 3&4 year olds.
I don't want to dismiss books trying to add to this conversation, but there are such good ones out there and this...isn't. I'm just gonna own my review. This one is bad and you should read a different one. Because there are better ones out there. ...more
Art is REALLY lovely. Story is...nice. I think this book wasn't what I was expecting. Based on the subtitle I think I was looking for more nonfiction aArt is REALLY lovely. Story is...nice. I think this book wasn't what I was expecting. Based on the subtitle I think I was looking for more nonfiction and information, and this was kind of a yay, celebrate yourself and what makes you proud kind of story that....didn't have a lot of there there. Extensive back matter. It was nice, but please authors can we trust our readers a little bit and put some of that stuff in the story. If you've never read and uplifting picture book that encourages kids to be themselves with a rainbow theme, this one is a perfectly fine choice. I have, and I've also read books that can be and are much more, so this one gets lost in the shuffle. ...more
What a delightful book! Not since Red: a crayon's story has there been a book that spoke so well about the LGBTQ+ experience...while not *really* beinWhat a delightful book! Not since Red: a crayon's story has there been a book that spoke so well about the LGBTQ+ experience...while not *really* being about the LGBTQ+ experience.
Did you know a group of flamingos was called a flamboyance? I did not. Nor did I know that a group of gulls can be a squabble, a group of ravens can be an unkindness, or that a group of loons can be an asylum. All of these and more are in the back matter as well as sprinkled throughout the book. The story is about what happens when a flamboyance of flamingos moves into the neighborhood.
The flamingos...well, they are a disruption. They're colorful. They're up all night. The other birds are...not happy. The text doesn't specifically describe why they don't like the flamingos but the stereotypical comments are there. This is bird NIMBYism that shines a mirror on our society as all the flamingos (Pretty, Pink, and Proud, with the rainbows to match) are trying to do is...have a party. This is so cute, it has a happy ending where the other birds feel bad for the conclusions they jumped to, and its message about inclusion and acceptance is great for pride month and well beyond. Plus you get to learn that a group of swans can be called a ballet....more
Lovely story of one kid's coming out that nicely explains and celebrates two spirit identities for kids. Lovely story of one kid's coming out that nicely explains and celebrates two spirit identities for kids. ...more
I was initially worried that this was going to reinforce stereotypes about male ballet dancers. Masculine presenting people can and do dance ballet anI was initially worried that this was going to reinforce stereotypes about male ballet dancers. Masculine presenting people can and do dance ballet and being a ballet dancer definitely doesn't and shouldn't determine your sexuality or identity. But this isn't about Teo being a ballet dancer but about Teo wanting to wear the costume he wants to wear while dancing. He finds acceptance in doing so and his whole ballet class, in both masculine and feminine presenting costumes, dance together. ...more
What a beautiful book! Love the illustrations and the culture note in the back that explains how the pattern of writing connects to indigenous cultureWhat a beautiful book! Love the illustrations and the culture note in the back that explains how the pattern of writing connects to indigenous cultures. Each spread has families, which include same sex couples, nonbinary people, and two spirit people, enjoying the day together at a community center....more
This book is so beautiful. Ayesha's cousin is marrying her girlfriend and not everyone is happy about it. As Ayesha travels with her family to participThis book is so beautiful. Ayesha's cousin is marrying her girlfriend and not everyone is happy about it. As Ayesha travels with her family to participate in the traditional wedding parade, there's a lot of worries about people wanting to stop this wedding. But all Ayesha wants to experience is the joy. I love the Hindi words glossary, the author's note...this book shows the reality of a community not accepting this relationship but in the end it's the love and joy that win and that shine through....more
Not wholly satisfying as a read aloud but I could see this being very useful as a teaching tool. Not my favorite art style personally but the sibling Not wholly satisfying as a read aloud but I could see this being very useful as a teaching tool. Not my favorite art style personally but the sibling relationship is very sweet....more
All around fantastic picture book biography of Glenn Burke and the little known story of the high five origin. I love that this covers the tougher parAll around fantastic picture book biography of Glenn Burke and the little known story of the high five origin. I love that this covers the tougher parts of Burke's life but really focuses on the highlights and in particular the joy of that moment where the high five was invented. Great illustrations and great back matter with a full timeline and an author's note about how the book came to be. Fantastic for baseball lovers or sports lovers of all ages....more
Love love love. I want a copy for my forever shelf. First of all, great concept. Love the selections and that there were people I had heard of and peoLove love love. I want a copy for my forever shelf. First of all, great concept. Love the selections and that there were people I had heard of and people I hadn't. All ordered chronologically so you can follow the movement. I love the combo of poetry with a nonfiction blurb plus dates. The illustrations are gorgeous...love anything illustrated by Harry Woodgate. But the thing that takes this over the top and earns its 5th star is the variety of poetry. We get different poetry formats that suit each story and back matter that describes them for us. I'm in poetry heaven with this one. I love it. ...more
Some books just have that perfect reader. For this book, that reader is my kid. This is his humor and he really enjoyed it. That said, I don't think tSome books just have that perfect reader. For this book, that reader is my kid. This is his humor and he really enjoyed it. That said, I don't think this book will hold up to a ton of rereads. We liked it, it was great for that moment, and it's a solid 3.5 star book.
Merged review:
Some books just have that perfect reader. For this book, that reader is my kid. This is his humor and he really enjoyed it. That said, I don't think this book will hold up to a ton of rereads. We liked it, it was great for that moment, and it's a solid 3.5 star book.
Merged review:
Some books just have that perfect reader. For this book, that reader is my kid. This is his humor and he really enjoyed it. That said, I don't think this book will hold up to a ton of rereads. We liked it, it was great for that moment, and it's a solid 3.5 star book....more
A bit convoluted in spots but I think a really helpful framework for explaining something very confusing to kids. I don't personally like the illustraA bit convoluted in spots but I think a really helpful framework for explaining something very confusing to kids. I don't personally like the illustrations....more
I think it's supposed to be about feeling empowered to be individual and who you are but it was actually I genuinely don't get the point of this book.
I think it's supposed to be about feeling empowered to be individual and who you are but it was actually about a magical wig that transforms you into something you dream of and if you don't have it then you lose all that joy and confidence. I don't think that was the story this was trying to tell.
Also, the rhymes were awful.
I'm for free speech and free expression. I think this book should sit proudly on library shelves and if it speaks to you and your kids fantastic. I just don't get it. ...more
My kid grabbed this off library display, probably because of the really great cover, and we loved it! I think I like this even more than the original.My kid grabbed this off library display, probably because of the really great cover, and we loved it! I think I like this even more than the original. A great feeling of community and being neighbors in this book and great illustrations. Probably aspirational as most neighborhoods don't work this way, but they should and a reminder of what real community looks like is welcome. ...more
I don't think I like first crush stories in picture books. Especially picture books clearly intended for a PreK/K audience which is where this one seeI don't think I like first crush stories in picture books. Especially picture books clearly intended for a PreK/K audience which is where this one seems to land.
Having strong feelings for someone is totally normal. At all ages. Nothing about the way Violet feels is unusual or should be thought of as negative. But the fact that she somehow has to approach this crush and tell her how she feels and somehow make this relationship take its next step...that's not what a PreK/K audience is looking for or how they experience crushes. That's an adult lens, in my opinion. This isn't creepy like Jerome by Heart, which I really don't like, but still felt like a story that isn't written for a picture book audience but for their grownups. This is clearly just my opinion, as people really seem to like this one, but I do not. ...more
Pros first: There's not NEARLY enough written about this civil rights leader so the fact that a kids picture book biography exists about him is super Pros first: There's not NEARLY enough written about this civil rights leader so the fact that a kids picture book biography exists about him is super important and this communicates the basics of his life in a straightforward way.
What I wanted from this book and it really wasn't was a real authentic picture book biography. This book probably has to conform to the structure of the series it is in but in a world where picture book biographies tell great and compelling stories, this felt old school and flat....more
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