Boy dressed in yellow roaming the rolling hills of Washington, with a queer graphic novel in one hand and an entire live chicken in the other.
My favorite children's books are the ones that hold both playfulness and a comforting wisdom, and this short series can be described as such. The art is lovely and inviting, and the story and characters will draw you in. Kids and adults alike will be charmed and touched.
Sun-scorched, listless, candid, drowned-of-heart -- Peter Plate writes this young protagonist with a pair of deeply knowing eyes. I'm thankful that this story caught my attention in the stacks of advance reader copies floating in and out of this bookstore.
Ford writes with dignity, scholarship, and heart about a history of America that is rarely taught in schools, and often not discussed as the blatant, undeniable truth that stands before all citizens of the United States. The material in this book is not easy to read at times, but it is absolutely essential in reckoning with this country's past and present, while pointing in the direction of a more just future.
This book delivers horror, with an even greater dose of humanity, revolving around cycles of abuse, ghosts of our past, generational trauma, and the ultimate power of having love for our fellow humans. It does all of this with a readability that makes time melt away, I had a hard time putting this book down whenever I picked it up.
I was (and still am) The Dinosaur Kid, shaking with excitement at watching Jurassic Park at 5 years old, vowing to become a Paleontologist one day in the distant future -- while I'm considering going back to school for a masters in something paleontological, I read this book out of the pure delight and interest in these fascinating creatures, and Brusatte delivers. It's accessible and riveting, and at times personal, while also still being engaging for someone who may be trained in a related science field. Give it a shot, it's like having your most charming, passionate, and smart friend tell you at length about their favorite special interest.
With the wispy watercolor illustrations and peep-hole vignettes of several characters encircling each other, this graphic novel is raw, painful, explicit, and also offers a starlight pinhole of hope. Another remarkable story that's intimate with transness, queerness, and sex work, for trans people by trans people.
What I love most about this book is how versatile it is -- kiddos, adults who are new to art making, and seasoned creatives alike can all artistically grow within the pages of this book, and have a lot of fun doing it. There was more joy within these pages than some of the studio classes I took in art school -- which brought me back to why I make art in the first place. I can't recommend it enough.
This graphic novel is an adorable queer sapphic trans story that sensitively and knowingly portrays the nuances of the struggles and joys some trans folks experience when coming out during adolescence. Finally, after years of so many hetero- and cisnormative love stories, we can add this gem to the small but growing pile of cute, funny, sappy YA love stories. I can't stop putting this in the hands of all of my pals.
This book is a tender, sincere, queer love story that I wish I could have read as a child or teen, with stellar art to boot! Ostertag really nailed the queer joy and longing to live authentically that I think many young LGBTQ+ kids, teens, and adults hope for. I hope this book will make you weep and smile like it did for me :)
