Devin and Luka have been best friends since the first day of school, when Devin helps cheer up Luka who is sad from being alone on the bus. Since then, they’ve had lots of adventures together, real and imagined: climbing trees, finding buried treasure, and escaping a volcano. For Luka’s 5th birthday, Devin wants to get him something special, but isn’t sure what. His family suggests things like a baseball mitt, a firetruck, or a bulldozer; his brother opines that “Boys get dinosaurs and girls get tea sets.” Devin reflects on what he knows about Luka, though, and realizes those suggestions aren’t quite right.
At the toy store, Devin finds a doll that looks like Luka. Remembering the advice of his grandmother to get a gift that reflects who his friend is, he gets him the doll, which Luka can carry on the school bus when Devin isn’t there.
This sweet story doesn’t have any stated queer characters, but I’m including it in this database because many children may recognize themselves or their friends here. The quiet Luka, for whom a doll is perfect, could certainly be seen as queer-coded (although we shouldn’t assume any doll-loving boy is necessarily queer). The boys’ relationship, which rests on really knowing each other, not just doing things together, is a lovely model of thoughtful male friendship—and if Luka is queer, of allyship. (For those seeking a book where the boys’ relationship feels more like a crush, try Bobby and the Big Valentine.) At the same time, the book’s lessons about gift-giving and supporting friends are ones from which children of all genders may benefit.
Devin is Black; Luka is White.
