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THE NAME I CALL MYSELF

Name: THE NAME I CALL MYSELF
Author: Hasan Namir
ISBN: 978-1-55152-809-0

by Hasan Namir ; illustrated by Cathryn John ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 13, 2020

Sadly, a typically harrowing representation of a young transgender person without supportive community.

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An isolated child struggles with self-esteem as they discover their identity diverges from familial and societal expectations.

Ari’s parents call them a name that does not fit, a name for old snoring kings. They “idolize” their mom, a good listener who lets them try on dresses, but they fear coming out to their dad, who insists boys act and present themselves in a certain way. Year by year, from ages 6 to 18, Ari documents their life experiences and the distressing changes of puberty as they explore their gender and their attraction to boys. The first-person narrator introduces themself in the opening by the name their parents gave them. Right after this, they explain, “But I call myself something else.” This true name remains a mystery until the final page of text, when they introduce themself again as Ari. The layout follows a predictable pattern, with text on the left side of each spread and an accompanying illustration on the right side. Illustrations depict Ari and their family with light brown skin, but the narration gives no indication of ethnicity or racial identity. Troublingly, Ari has no trustworthy friends, and their mom is their only apparent support, though a passive one at best. While the narrative resolves on a note of hopeful self-identification, this coming-of-age story largely focuses on struggle, waylaying happiness until the character is 17.

Sadly, a typically harrowing representation of a young transgender person without supportive community. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-55152-809-0

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press

Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
BANANA DREAM
by Hasan Namir ; illustrated by Daby Zainab Faidhi

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BUG CATCHERS

From the Dirt and Bugsy series

by Megan Litwin ; illustrated by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 28, 2023

Bugs, friendship, and fun—what more could burgeoning readers want?

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The titular characters collect and protect bugs in this early reader.

Against blocks of cartoonlike green grass and blue sky—with bugs hovering around them—two boys face readers with big smiles. Dirt has light skin and a head of floppy russet hair, while Bugsy has dark skin and an Afro. The text explains that “Dirt and Bugsy are bug catchers. They catch all kinds of bugs.” Bright islands of artwork against the next two white pages show nicely detailed drawings of bugs that “crawl,” “fly,” “slide,” or “hide.” Rudimentary sentences and phrases, subtle rhymes, and repetitive language encourage hesitant readers to stay engaged as a simple plot emerges. The boys are enjoying outdoor time with bugs when it begins to rain. They build a shelter—“a bug barn”—and diligently search for, seize, and house hiding bugs. The story’s conclusion is satisfactory in every way—no small feat in this genre. A welcome endnote, artistically rendered to look handwritten on lined paper, advises kids on how to be responsible bug catchers (“Find a good bug-catching jar”; “Go outside. Look around in good buggy places…”)—and bug releasers.

Bugs, friendship, and fun—what more could burgeoning readers want? (Early reader. 5-7)

Pub Date: Feb. 28, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-593-51992-9

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Penguin Young Readers

Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
GATHER GRATEFUL
by Megan Litwin ; illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey

- BOOK REVIEW
TWINKLE, TWINKLE, WINTER NIGHT
by Megan Litwin ; illustrated by Nneka Myers

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YOU CAN DO IT!

From the I Like To Read series

by Betsy Lewin ; illustrated by Betsy Lewin ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2013

A winner of an early reader.

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Channeling the can-do attitude of a certain little engine, Lewin’s alligator comes out on top with some help from his friend and despite the bullying of another gator.

Limited, repetitive text invites new readers to adopt the same spirit of determination about reading that the protagonist alligator does about swimming when he confidently tells his friend, “I can win” after they spy a sign reading “Big Race Sunday” posted on a tree. His self-assurance is challenged by a bigger, scowling alligator wearing a red cap, who snarls, “No, you can’t.” Bickering leads to the bully shoving the littler gator, and then a spread showing the friend (who wears a pink bow on her head to distinguish her from the others), who says, “Yes, you can.” She encourages her friend as he practices for the race even while the antagonist continues to say “CANNOT,” and our hero perseveres. When the day of the big race arrives, the good guy does finish first, rejoicing, “I did it!” dripping wet and wearing his first-place medal, while his proud friend looks on. Throughout, Lewin’s restrained watercolor-and-ink artwork matches the control of the text, providing ample, white resting space for the eyes while delivering engaging and expressive characters. Subtle shifts in the placement of speech balloons provide humor while helping children decode.

A winner of an early reader. (Early reader. 5-7)