There are few things as fun as a good book. Two of those books were found recently by me via online reader copies. The first by Vincent X. Kirsch is a contemporary story on how it is okay to be gay. And the other is a book about books. Or more accurately how a book goes from idea to your hands.
I was a little skeptical about O.K. Is Gay: A Picture Book as it was mostly starting out as “just another it’s okay to be you/different/gay” story. And there is nothing wrong with that, I just have read that story. I was looking for something fresh. But then, as we go along with Olivio Kipling’s story, we see how it is okay to be gay, but we are so much more than that one fact. Now, while I did not think this was the best book ever, I liked how Kirsch shows that there are layers to people, who they care about and how to share that with others. The images are cartoony, but not “bad silly.” They are colorful and are not subtle with the colors or details used to push the theme through. Due in later Spring 2025, this is a must add to your collection.
Now, Here Is a Book: A Picture Book by Elisha Cooper (due later in April 2025) was not an OMG, love this book! But there was something that “grabbed” me. Though I have seen books about books or making books before, it is a fresh presentation. It is smooth, maybe a bit busy occasionally, but just take your time with it. It can be a bit poetic at times as well, but also is not over the top or inaccessible for the non-poetry/poetic reader. The illustrations are a bit on the lighter side, not muted but not popping off the page. They can be busy, but not necessarily to distract from the overall theme. The style of this picture book fits with other books of Coopers I have seen. They are not necessarily for a specific age, as each book takes a different turn, but they work for most ages.
