Warmly and quietly affirming; young queer readers will feel seen.
A queer child comes out amid a family tradition.
Every winter, Gray and Dad build an ice rink together. But this year, something feels different. As the duo work side by side, the young protagonist shares feelings of hurt and confusion stemming from an incident at school, when best friend Zena didn’t invite Gray to her “girls only” sleepover. Gray delicately guides the conversation, asking if Dad ever feels “mixed up about who you are” or “different than the way you look.” When neither question gets the answer Gray hoped for, the child takes the direct approach: “I look like a boy but sometimes I feel more like a girl.” Gray continues to open up as Dad listens. Though the two adhere to beloved traditions—like enjoying soothing hot chocolate after their first skate of the year—the child feels empowered to make a big change: asking to go by a new name. Fontaine’s gouache artwork sweetly homes in on key moments in this gentle, slice-of-life tale; close-ups on Gray’s face capture the child’s thoughts and emotions. The slow, methodical activity of building the ice rink provides an ideal framework for this difficult conversation. A welcome counterpoint to less-accepting masculine figures, Dad may not always know the right thing to say, but he’s clearly a supportive presence who’s trying his best. Both characters are pale-skinned and dark-haired.
Warmly and quietly affirming; young queer readers will feel seen. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781525311352
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale.
The protagonist of The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (2020) enjoys a “boo-tiful” holiday.
The titular spirit—comprised of a patterned quilt rather than a plain white sheet like his peers—loves drifting outside in the cold. His heavier fabrics may slow him down the rest of the year, but in winter they keep him warm enough to enjoy the outdoors while his friends remain inside. One December evening, while visiting the human neighborhood, he notices people singing and putting up twinkling lights (amid the Christmas decorations, one window features a menorah). The little ghost quilt is happy for himself but sad that his pals aren’t witnessing all this, too. The sight of a holiday tree inspires him: He’ll bring a tree to his friends! A branch that blows off during a snowstorm will do nicely. For ornaments, he uses odds and ends from the attic of his house. And when his friends arrive at his home that night, everyone decorates the tree together. The moon, peeping through the window and reflecting off a mirror from the attic, provides the glorious pièce de résistance: The make-believe tree glows brilliantly. This quietly lovely holiday tale underscores the true meaning of the holidays: friendship and togetherness. The illustrations rely on a muted palette with spots of vivid colors; like a quilt, they’re soft and delicate. Human characters vary in skin tone.
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2025
ISBN: 9781774885376
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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