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4.67 AVERAGE
4.67 AVERAGE
I wish that all transgender kids could have parents that are as accepting as Aiden's parents were. And siblings that are as caring as Aiden is about his new sibling. Aiden is clearly a very empathetic and compassionate child. He cares a lot for his new baby sibling, how they will be perceived by the world vs. how they will want to be understood. He gets very concerned that he might be making mistakes like his parents did when they thought he was a girl, but he learns a very important lesson: he knew how to love, and that's the most important part of being an older sibling.
I remember when my own sibling came out to me. Coming from a conservative, religious background, and attending a conservative Christian seminary at the time, I didn't respond to her in the most loving way, even though my response was worlds better than how my mom treated her. However, I worked to understand her. I worked to understand others who loved the same way she does. And when I told her about my lightbulb moment of "Love is love!" she was so incredibly happy that I finally understood. Hindsight is 20/20, but compassion should always be the first response.
I remember when my own sibling came out to me. Coming from a conservative, religious background, and attending a conservative Christian seminary at the time, I didn't respond to her in the most loving way, even though my response was worlds better than how my mom treated her. However, I worked to understand her. I worked to understand others who loved the same way she does. And when I told her about my lightbulb moment of "Love is love!" she was so incredibly happy that I finally understood. Hindsight is 20/20, but compassion should always be the first response.
lighthearted
A powerful story about a transgender child and the worries he has for his new baby sibling. This would be a great story to read to children who are expecting a sibling and to learn about transgender children.
(Review first written December 2019)
When Aidan Became a Brother by beloved, award-winning children’s author Kyle Lukoff & illustrated by phenomenally talented Kaylani Juanita is a gorgeous, groundbreaking poetic gem. I fell in love with it even more when I had the opportunity to share it with our Junior Justice League & Caldecott Club, engaging in fantastic conversations with young people. We were SO lucky to then host Kyle Lukoff at our library & celebrate this beautiful book with him! (With books sold by the amazing local indie bookstore, Booked! Visit them; they are wonderful.)
Kyle shared insights & answered our kids’ many, many questions. Want to know something amazing? Notice the drawing in the 1st spread on the easel? Turn 3 pages & notice the resemblance to Aidan once his room has been changed. These artistic choices shout distinguished & distinct to me, Caldecott committee…The warm watercolor & ink palette infuse the story with effervescent energy & anticipation, continually showing the deep love that Aidan’s family has for him, as his mom says, “When you were born, we didn’t know you were going to be our son. We made some mistakes, but you helped us fix them.” I love how Aidan corrects the gendered baby name books, which was Kaylani’s idea. There are other subtle ways that challenge the binary from the “It’s a baby” balloons to Aidan’s reaction when a stranger asks his mom the baby’s gender. This book offers subtle ways to help people, especially caregivers, think critically about raising children. My favorite spread is when Aidan is gloriously flying through the air in his dad’s arms as he & his dad paint a blue sky on the walls of the baby’s room, thinking, “He had always felt trapped in his bedroom before they fixed it, but his new sibling wouldn’t have to feel that way.” You can feel the freedom & weightlessness that comes from pure joy created by love & support. Love is at the core of this powerful book, as Aidan realizes: “Aidan knew how to love someone, & that was the most important part of being a brother.” This book will change you. It will change children’s lives, telling them how glad we are that they are here, that they are unconditionally loved for who they are. Buy this book & gift it!
(Ahhhhhhh! OMG. Kyle & Kaylani won the Stonewall Award for When Aidan Became a Brother! I'm still giddy with this news!)
(Review first written December 2019)
When Aidan Became a Brother by beloved, award-winning children’s author Kyle Lukoff & illustrated by phenomenally talented Kaylani Juanita is a gorgeous, groundbreaking poetic gem. I fell in love with it even more when I had the opportunity to share it with our Junior Justice League & Caldecott Club, engaging in fantastic conversations with young people. We were SO lucky to then host Kyle Lukoff at our library & celebrate this beautiful book with him! (With books sold by the amazing local indie bookstore, Booked! Visit them; they are wonderful.)
Kyle shared insights & answered our kids’ many, many questions. Want to know something amazing? Notice the drawing in the 1st spread on the easel? Turn 3 pages & notice the resemblance to Aidan once his room has been changed. These artistic choices shout distinguished & distinct to me, Caldecott committee…The warm watercolor & ink palette infuse the story with effervescent energy & anticipation, continually showing the deep love that Aidan’s family has for him, as his mom says, “When you were born, we didn’t know you were going to be our son. We made some mistakes, but you helped us fix them.” I love how Aidan corrects the gendered baby name books, which was Kaylani’s idea. There are other subtle ways that challenge the binary from the “It’s a baby” balloons to Aidan’s reaction when a stranger asks his mom the baby’s gender. This book offers subtle ways to help people, especially caregivers, think critically about raising children. My favorite spread is when Aidan is gloriously flying through the air in his dad’s arms as he & his dad paint a blue sky on the walls of the baby’s room, thinking, “He had always felt trapped in his bedroom before they fixed it, but his new sibling wouldn’t have to feel that way.” You can feel the freedom & weightlessness that comes from pure joy created by love & support. Love is at the core of this powerful book, as Aidan realizes: “Aidan knew how to love someone, & that was the most important part of being a brother.” This book will change you. It will change children’s lives, telling them how glad we are that they are here, that they are unconditionally loved for who they are. Buy this book & gift it!
(Ahhhhhhh! OMG. Kyle & Kaylani won the Stonewall Award for When Aidan Became a Brother! I'm still giddy with this news!)
(Review first written December 2019)
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lovely book about being a transgender child that makes it so easy to understand and relate to! As the author's note in the back says, many children can find some way to relate to Aiden, and I hope books like this can help people be more inclusive and understanding in the future.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I am literally the heart-eyes emoji right now! This precious book is perfect for kids who are becoming big siblings and for transgender and nonbinary kids. The story discusses both topics deftly and beautifully. Written by a transgender author and illustrated by a woman of color, this book is one to cherish. I am excited to look for more work by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita.