A thoughtful book about gender-inclusive pronouns, by a nonbinary author and illustrator. The story stars a nonbinary child named Ari, who is excited for the visit of Uncle Lior. Uncle Lior uses they/them pronouns, and every time they visit, they ask, “What are your words, Ari?”
“Sometimes I know my words right away,” says Ari, whom we see dressed variously in pants, a dress, and a skirt. Other times, “I have to think about my words.” These words could be feelings or descriptive words like “Happy,” “Athletic,” or “Sleepy,” or they could be pronouns. Sometimes Ari changes pronouns, and that’s okay.
When Uncle Lior asks this time about Ari’s words, however, Ari doesn’t know which ones to use. Lior encourages patience as they both head to their neighborhood barbeque, where they meet a group of neighbors who use a variety of pronouns. Ari reflects that “Sometimes I have to wait for my words to find me”—and in the end, they do. Today they use “they/them.”
I love the message that pronouns fit into a whole constellation of words to describe oneself, and that finding one’s words may be a nonlinear journey. I also like that the book features multiple nonbinary people, including a nonbinary mentor to a (likely) nonbinary kid. And Uncle Lior is more than just their gender identity; they’re also a biologist, have a great garden, and wear colorful hats. Both Ari and Uncle Lior are White; the neighbors are racially diverse. Their story will likely prompt readers to start talking about their own words, which is exactly the point.
