Brittany R. Jacobs

For what it is, the book is all right. The message of the story is mostly clear, with the metaphor of being a tiger in a community of ducks is used--at first more subtly, then pretty much overtly at the end--to refer to being queer. Unlike, for example, "Not Quite Narwhal," however, the subtlety of what that means is a little too nebulous for me with such a defined conclusion. Is Lili experiencing dysmorphia? Is it about the type of attraction she's feeling? It could even be about something show more unrelated to the queer umbrella, except that the rainbow-bedecked "find your PRIDE" at the end makes it clear that this isn't the case. I'd prefer it to either remain nebulous or be a bit more clear throughout.

I was also slightly bugged by some scanning and rhyming issues, but that was secondary. show less

The Kraken's Rules for Making Friends - Brittany R. Jacobs   
Almost as earnest as The Rainbow Fish, but with a marginally better message than "You can buy friends of you're willing to give up everything that makes you special." Saved by a slightly -divergent-from-cliche ending.
I wish the text was as unconventional and captivating as the art.
Library copy.

It is great to see a diverse cast, featuring a main character with a disability. Written by a pair of sisters, one of whom who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, like Mia Lee, this book is an inspiring story that helps break the mold of only able-bodied characters. Being able to see characters like yourself in media in normal circumstances is so important, and I commend the authors for writing their own where none existed.

Adorable. Fun illustrations, and a very silly "fish are friends, not food" kind of vibe.