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Reviewed by: Emily McFarlane, Elementary School Librarian Title: Gorgeously Me! Author: Jonathan Van Ness Illustrator: Kamala Nair Publisher: Flamingo Books (Penguin Random House, LLC)
Year: 2024 Good for Grades: PreK-3 Genre/Type of Book: Picture Book
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Diverse representation/LGBTQIA+ representation Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: The author is one of my favorite celebrities and a proponent of diversity, acceptance, and LGBTQIA+ rights If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Celebrate being gorgeously YOU with this beautiful book! |
Review:
"There's no wrong way for me to be. Perfectly, happily, gorgeously me," sings the refrain in this lovingly illustrated picture book from Jonathan Van Ness and Kamala Nair. Throughout the book, children play, support each other, and remind themselves that it doesn't matter how anyone else perceives them because they will continue to be "perfectly, happily, gorgeously me." At the end, there is a note from Jonathan Van Ness about prioritizing teaching compassion, tolerance, and inclusion to help empower kids and celebrate our diversity.
The illustrations in this book are beautiful- bright, colorful, and filled with an unnamed cast of characters with diverse features. They remind the reader that all can be confident in our own skin and should aim to be happy with who we are, confidently remaining our gorgeous selves. In a world that seeks to push kids into conforming boxes, this book encourages kids to be whatever, whoever, and however they choose. Jonathan Van Ness (He/They) is a non-binary advocate for diversity and LGBTQIA+ rights, and the book features characters of all genders (and at least one character who appears non-binary). One of the characters uses crutches, and one character wears glasses, but there is a range of hairstyles, textures, colors, and skin tones throughout the book. There are bright colors on every page, with lots of great character moments- i.e. what to do when you make a mistake with a friend, how your friends give you courage when you're scared, etc.
The book itself is lyrical and poetic, flowing from page to page and providing the listener/reader with a relaxing experience. This would be a great book for a poetry unit, promoting diversity, or as a companion for a book like "Cars and Trucks are for Everyone."
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Find more about Gorgeously Me! on Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website