A sweet story of gender creativity and unconditional family love.
A young boy named Devin is seeking the perfect outfit to wear to his Nanabapa’s (grandfather’s) birthday party. His siblings and parents are ready, but when Devin tries on his own pants, sweater, and even various hats, nothing feels quite right. When he sees the sparkling blue skirt that his sister Amaia had abandoned (opting for “jeans and fairy wings” instead), Devin is dazzled. He tries it on and spins in front of the mirror. “Devin felt like … HIMSELF!”
His sister sees him and says he can’t wear it. “What will Nanababa say?” she worries.
Devin also wonders what everyone will say, so he comes up with a disguise from the dress-up box, including a mask, a cape, and a pair of pants that he pulls carefully over the skirt. But when he starts dancing at the party, all of the layers are making him hot. He removes them one by one, until finally, the skirt is revealed.
Everyone looks at him, “a boy in a beautiful skirt.” Nanababa stands up from his chair, praises Devin’s dance moves, and dances with him until the skirt twirls. Everyone else joins the dancing as well. Devin felt “twirly, smart, and magical,” but most of all, “like … HIMSELF!”
There are a growing number of picture books about gender-creative boys (starting with 1979’s Jesse’s Dream Skirt), but this one stands out for the light and jaunty prose, for not including overt naysayers (no one is mean or bullying, although Devin and his sister are clearly concerned about the response), and for centering a South Asian family. Additionally, Lucy Fleming’s illustrations are simply charming, both soft and dynamic, capturing the joyful spirit of the occasion and Devin’s own happiness. Highly recommended.
