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A review by etiberland
When Aidan Became A Brother by Kyle Lukoff
5.0
(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)