In rhyming couplets, this book contrasts courtship rituals in the natural world with those of humans. (“Garter snakes huddle. People like to cuddle.”) There are same- and different-sex couples shown, and the intent is sweet, but some may be put off by the book’s narrow focus on paired, romantic love, as it begins with the assertion, “It’s the truth. There’s no debate. Every creature wants a mate.” The afterward, too, states, “People like to pair up with other people.” Those who identify as asexual or aromantic (or are just happy being single, sans label) may disagree with this central premise, which seems a little too sweeping.
Also, one page states, “Peacocks spread their fans. Boys and girls hold hands,” even though the image shows what look like a boy-girl pair and a boy-boy pair. Granted, the text might be referring to the children in aggregate, but what about nonbinary kids? The wording might have been better as “… Children [or “People”] hold with hands.” But again, some children may not “hold hands” until later in life, if at all, or they may do so only in a non-romantic way, and that’s fine, too. Still, the art is gorgeous and for those wanting a book celebrating two-person romance, there are at least some same-sex couples among the pairs.
