Warmly empowering.
The tale of a young boy and his beloved skirt.
Leo, a brown-skinned boy with close-cropped black hair, enjoys dressing up in all manner of costumes; he especially loves to wear his skirt, a lavender, midi-length garment. While he’s out one day with his mother, who has peach skin and orange hair, a well-meaning stranger misgenders him, resulting in a tantrum back at home and a declaration that he will never again wear his skirt. His father, brown-skinned and dark-haired, calmly reassures Leo that there have always been places where men wear dresses and skirts, prompting Leo to picture peaceful scenes of him and his dad wearing hanbok under cherry blossom trees and kilts while listening to a bagpiper. Heartened, Leo prepares for school the next day wearing his skirt, armed with confidence (“If they say I’m a girl, I’ll tell them I’m a boy”). Mom tells him about times when women were not allowed to wear trousers and about some of the individuals who “defied the rules.” Without going into heavier discussions of gender presentation versus identity, this sweet, simple story, translated from Spanish, encourages children to dress as they like without being burdened by societal expectations about gender. Readers don’t get to find out how Leo’s day at school goes, but the love and support of his family may be the most important thing in this case. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warmly empowering. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-84-18599-74-3
Page Count: 36
Publisher: NubeOcho
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance.
A boy with wings learns to be himself and inspires others like him to soar, too.
Norman, a “perfectly normal” boy, never dreamed he might grow wings. Afraid of what his parents might say, he hides his new wings under a big, stuffy coat. Although the coat hides his wings from the world, Norman no longer finds joy in bathtime, playing at the park, swimming, or birthday parties. With the gentle encouragement of his parents, who see his sadness, Norman finds the courage to come out of hiding and soar. Percival (The Magic Looking Glass, 2017, etc.) depicts Norman with light skin and dark hair. Black-and-white illustrations show his father with dark skin and hair and his mother as white. The contrast of black-and-white illustrations with splashes of bright color complements the story’s theme. While Norman tries to be “normal,” the world and people around him look black and gray, but his coat stands out in yellow. Birds pop from the page in pink, green, and blue, emphasizing the joy and beauty of flying free. The final spread, full of bright color and multiracial children in flight, sets the mood for Norman’s realization on the last page that there is “no such thing as perfectly normal,” but he can be “perfectly Norman.”
A heartwarming story about facing fears and acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: May 1, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-785-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.
A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.
From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.
Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780316581721
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
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