Some LGBTQ-oriented ABC books try too hard to fit their subject matter into the alphabetic format, and the outcome can sometimes feel forced. Here, however, authors Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham are less concerned with LGBTQ-specific terminology, and more with concepts related to how people move in the world. This gives them more flexibility and more satisfying results as they challenge our frequent associations of those concepts with certain genders.
“Daryl put a bandage on Ben’s leg when he got hurt. He’s so affectionate,” the book begins. “Mohammad likes to do makeup and get beautiful with his sister.” We see girls who are courageous, energetic, intelligent, and tough; boys who are humble, loving, nurturing, and vulnerable; and nonbinary children who are gentle and joyous, among other things. Sometimes the lesson is woven in around the key word, as when “Yira yearns to do ballet like their older brother when they grow up.” The children are diverse in skin tones and their names reflect a variety of cultural identities.
The sentence or two for each letter offers a mini story for readers to reflect on and maybe even develop further via discussion. (Adult co-readers take note!)
Molesso and Needham, queer owners of the Ash + Chess stationery brand, also bring their bold, vibrant style to the illustrations, which swirl with colors and motion—and the book’s jacket includes a fun ABC poster on the opposite side.
Although some of the characters read as queer (in addition to the nonbinary ones noted above, “Ari likes to dress up like a queen with his sibling”), others could be either LGBTQ or not, opening up the book’s message and audience to children of all identities—and that’s a very good thing.
