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just_fighting_censorship's review against another edition
1.0
This one did not connect with me on any level.
First the story - I didn't get it. Julep is a fairy that is more interested in roots and digging, which are what Goblins are supposed to enjoy. In this world goblins and fairies are the same species but once they hit puberty they either grow wings or claws. Julep grows wings and decides to wear a vest to hide/hold her wings down. She crafts gloves to mimic claws so it is easier to dig with the goblins. I get the gloves, but I don't understand why she needs to cover up her wings. I would think that the best thing to teach children would be for them to learn to accept their bodies and not feel like they need to hide and change who they are in order to pursue their dreams and interests. I think a better approach would be that Julep is a fairy but is allowed to dig and eat roots with goblins, this makes more sense to me and better supports the message that you can follow your dreams and interests no matter what you look like.
There is a part where Julep is asked if she is a fairy, and she says no, I'm a goblin. So Julep has to completely disassociate from who she is in order to pursue her interests? I just think this is a terrible message, especially for children. This gave me Sandy at the end of Grease vibes.
The writing - I found it to be pretty choppy. Maybe part of the issue was the lack of pronouns which make the flow very clunky.
The illustrations - They are black and white and not very appealing for a children's book. However, maybe this was a choice made based on cost since this book seemed to be made on a budget. The publisher seems to mostly publish poetry/pamphlets.
First the story - I didn't get it. Julep is a fairy that is more interested in roots and digging, which are what Goblins are supposed to enjoy. In this world goblins and fairies are the same species but once they hit puberty they either grow wings or claws. Julep grows wings and decides to wear a vest to hide/hold her wings down. She crafts gloves to mimic claws so it is easier to dig with the goblins. I get the gloves, but I don't understand why she needs to cover up her wings. I would think that the best thing to teach children would be for them to learn to accept their bodies and not feel like they need to hide and change who they are in order to pursue their dreams and interests. I think a better approach would be that Julep is a fairy but is allowed to dig and eat roots with goblins, this makes more sense to me and better supports the message that you can follow your dreams and interests no matter what you look like.
There is a part where Julep is asked if she is a fairy, and she says no, I'm a goblin. So Julep has to completely disassociate from who she is in order to pursue her interests? I just think this is a terrible message, especially for children. This gave me Sandy at the end of Grease vibes.
The writing - I found it to be pretty choppy. Maybe part of the issue was the lack of pronouns which make the flow very clunky.
The illustrations - They are black and white and not very appealing for a children's book. However, maybe this was a choice made based on cost since this book seemed to be made on a budget. The publisher seems to mostly publish poetry/pamphlets.
coldinaugust's review against another edition
5.0
At first glance, Goblinheart is just a fairy tale, albeit with fairies and goblins. In the book's fantasy world, the fairies have a certain set of physical characteristics and roles in the community, and the goblins have a different but complimentary set of characteristics and roles. Perhaps that sounds familiar, or perhaps not. Like The Story of Ferdinand, part of Goblinheart's brilliance is that it can be discussed as an allegory or simply appreciated as a fairy tale. As such, it is an ideal teaching resource that can open discussion about gender issues without being conspicuously controversial or threatening. Yet to those of us with such awareness, each part of Julep's journey to acceptance as a fairy-bodied goblin is apparent as a metaphor for transgender life events: Julep's realization of inner goblin-ness, despair at growing fairy wings, the awkwardness of first tries at passing, creation & usage of adaptive items of clothing for a more comfortable presentation, and the final glimmer of the hope of community acceptance at the book's end.
Impressively, throughout the book Axel masterfully avoids the use of gendered pronouns. Not only does this enable readers to relate themselves or others to the main character, but the fact that Goblinheart's avoidance of gendered pronouns does not read as clumsy or forced becomes even more appreciated when trying to discuss the book oneself! It's incredibly difficult in the English language to avoid gendered pronouns when speaking in third person, and certainly that is another item to which gender variant readers and their allies can relate.
Goblinheart's artwork is cleverly androgynous and evocative; the illustration of Julep looking back at the growth of wings so dreaded brought this reader to tears. Truly this book takes an important place in the slowly-growing genre of children's literature about transgender issues.
Impressively, throughout the book Axel masterfully avoids the use of gendered pronouns. Not only does this enable readers to relate themselves or others to the main character, but the fact that Goblinheart's avoidance of gendered pronouns does not read as clumsy or forced becomes even more appreciated when trying to discuss the book oneself! It's incredibly difficult in the English language to avoid gendered pronouns when speaking in third person, and certainly that is another item to which gender variant readers and their allies can relate.
Goblinheart's artwork is cleverly androgynous and evocative; the illustration of Julep looking back at the growth of wings so dreaded brought this reader to tears. Truly this book takes an important place in the slowly-growing genre of children's literature about transgender issues.
chachacenteno's review against another edition
4.0
I would love to see this made into a picture book series. Wish the book was easier to get a hold of.
engpunk77's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the story and appreciate the tolerance, acceptance, and encouragement that it will bring to people (all ages). Couldn't get over the fact that it hasn't been edited (I'm an English teacher, sorry). I look forward to even owning another copy after it's MUGS errors are addressed and a final, polished copy is available. I do think it's an important book!
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