Lucien is a young boy who worries when things change: new food, the first day of school, and making new friends. He’d rather stay in his room where he feels comfortable. One night, however, a glowing ember from his fireplace transforms into a magical creature who leads Lucien on a one-night journey through the seasons, as anthropomorphic animals and plants join them in celebrating the wonders of the natural world.
Lucien is captivated, and doesn’t even mind as things transform from one season to the next. The flame explains that change must happen “so new adventures can begin.” Back home, as one season shifts to the next in real time, Lucien takes the words to heart. He’s no longer afraid to venture into the world, and is ready for his own adventures, supported by human, animal, and magical new friends.
The queer content here is slight, but one early image shows Lucien with two dads, gently encouraging him as he hesitates before going to school. Lucien’s longish hair and the scallops on his clothing hint at a somewhat feminine gender expression, but those details could just be in keeping with the fanciful style of the illustrations. (I’m tagging the book as having a gender-creative boy so that interested readers can decide for themselves.) The rainbow on the cover could be seen as a queer-coded clue, or just one of the wonders that Lucien encounters.
Author/illustrator Beatrice Blue has created a delightful world of whimsy and magic, populated with enchanting creatures that tread the line between real and imagined. There’s a distinct message here, but it’s conveyed with originality and flair. The pages are full of lush details and burst with joy, making this a highly recommended title.
Lucien is White, as is one of his dads; the other is Black.
