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Reviews
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, Wai-Yant Li, Kai Yun Ching
lilhill's review against another edition
informative
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.0
I didn't like this one, it was cute and the relationship between mother and child was very sweet. But it was one of those storylines where a child is being bullied and then all of a sudden all the bullies decide to stop one day when nothing has changed. I was bullied a lot as a child and these kinds of narratives were so harmful. It made me wonder when everyone would have the big change of heart like in the storybooks and movies, and made me feel like it was my fault or there was something wrong with me. I feel like these kinds of stories need to be handled with care and this one wasn't.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Bullying
amelias's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
librariandest's review against another edition
5.0
As with [b:Perfectly Norman|35892618|Perfectly Norman|Tom Percival|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501588490s/35892618.jpg|57411252], this picture book aims to comfort young children who fear being bullied for being different. I think it succeeds.
I'm a big fan of any beautifully illustrated book that encourages self-acceptance and inclusion. Also books that celebrate a parent's unconditional love for their child.
I'm a big fan of any beautifully illustrated book that encourages self-acceptance and inclusion. Also books that celebrate a parent's unconditional love for their child.
serendipity421's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
koikoi97's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
liketheflower7's review against another edition
4.75
Gorgeous. I love the art style, I love the story it tells. It reads almost like a folktale and is all about owning every little piece about you, no matter how different it may make you. The main character doesn’t have a gender or even a species, but is loved unconditionally by their mother anyway. There’s a sweet rhyme that is repeated throughout the book as well as a generally beautiful story and artwork.
misscalije's review against another edition
4.0
There is a pervasive transphobic logic that suggests that 'allowing' trans people to exist peacefully will allow others to claim they are '''''actually''''' animals and other ridiculous things. It's a false equivalency mess that I don't care to go into at this point. It was and is used a lot in conversations about trans people's right to pee in public restrooms.
This book wholeheartedly ignores that mess, and I've decided that if Thom wishes to use a character who can perform fantastical shapshifts as a metaphor for existing outside the box in many ways, that's cool with me.
I also enjoy how the narrative employs the same lullaby technique as other picture books (I'll Love You Forever comes to mind).
My main critique is of the cover art. I don't know if I would have bought this book if it hadn't been recommended to me. It just doesn't represent the content of the book; I thought it was a story about a transgender sea slug (which is fine, but the book is more complex than that).
This book wholeheartedly ignores that mess, and I've decided that if Thom wishes to use a character who can perform fantastical shapshifts as a metaphor for existing outside the box in many ways, that's cool with me.
I also enjoy how the narrative employs the same lullaby technique as other picture books (I'll Love You Forever comes to mind).
My main critique is of the cover art. I don't know if I would have bought this book if it hadn't been recommended to me. It just doesn't represent the content of the book; I thought it was a story about a transgender sea slug (which is fine, but the book is more complex than that).
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
I first found and read this in a bookstore in the Bay Area in 2017 and teared up in the bookstore. I bought it on the spot. A beautiful love letter to trans/nonbinary and gender-nonconforming kids :')
augustgreatsword's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0