Chelsea Johnson

"A cheerful, diverse cast of friends describe living the ally life in this progressive picture book. Told in simple rhyming text, the book shares the stories of each child in the group. Though they’re all the same age, the friends are otherwise very different. Allie uses a wheelchair; her friends make sure she is included in all their games. Kate identifies as nonbinary; her friends make sure she feels safe in all spaces, including school bathrooms. Adilah wears her hijab proudly; her show more friends love and support her religious expression. Nia’s family marches in a Black Lives Matter protest; all her friends join in solidarity. The Dakota Access Pipeline protests are also highlighted by Dakota and her tribe. Immigrant stories are included as well, with Gloria, Heejung, and Yuri sharing their experiences and receiving loving encouragement from their friends. Their unwavering support for one another helps readers understand what intersectionality means and looks like. The bright, sweet illustrations have a charming silk-screen look that perfectly complements the heartfelt snapshots of the kids. A foreword, an afterword, book notes, discussion questions, and a letter to adults thoughtfully elevate this rhyming story of solidarity.

VERDICT The book’s core message--“Where there’s room for some, we make room for all. Friends can be allies no matter how small!”--offers a memorable refrain caregivers and educators will be eager to integrate into daily mantras. Highly recommended" Reviewed by Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI , Jun 30, 2019 show less

The content of this book was expansive and touched on a huge variety of family types, including transnational families and those with an incarcerated parent. The book even mentioned "found families," which was lovely to see! The illustrations were attractive, and the discussion guide at the end was a neat addition.

My problems lay in the rhymes that were at times forced and often didn't scan. It just hurts my ears when picture books do that. I was also bugged by the double-spread pages with show more the large-print refrain declarations, which filled so much of the pages that, at a glance, a reader might be confused about whether to read across both pages (incorrectly) or each page in turn. show less

The creators of IntersectionAllies (2019) return for a look at family.

At the heart of this picture book are nontraditional families: LGBTQ+ families, adoptive families, transnational families, families impacted by incarceration, families with divorced parents, and chosen families, among others. Each family is described by the children who are part of them—for example, a biracial kid honors their “two legacies,” sharing how their family celebrates both Passover and Juneteenth. The show more colorful, digital illustrations, which resemble cut paper–style art, depict the tan-skinned child sitting down to a seder with their parents (one of whom is Black, the other of whom is light-skinned and wearing a yarmulke); on the next page, the youth jumps rope with their parents during a backyard barbecue where the African American flag flies high. Though the singsong text often prioritizes rhyming above content, the book’s thoughtful letter to readers, discussion guide, and bibliography provide ample opportunity for young readers to deepen their exploration of family diversity. This title is a worthy addition to classrooms, public libraries, and personal collections. The characters throughout are diverse in skin tone, ability, and cultural background. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

The many configurations of families are on brilliant display here in all their joyful variation. (Picture book. 5-10)

-Kirkus Review show less

This book hits every topic in diversity, which is great. It talks about race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion. It includes notes for parents, adult books that were inspirations, and definitions. The author has each child talk about their difference, the problem the world might see, and how it could be solved by inclusion. This book would have to be guided by an adult because it contains a lot of information that a child may not understand or care to read (because it is wordy).