HOLD THAT THOUGHT!

Finn awakens at night with “something rustling around inside their head.”

While Finn uses they/them pronouns, other children in the text are assigned gender-specific pronouns; the casual, intentional use of the nonbinary is welcome validation for many readers. But this concept book is not about gender—it is an exploration of how one person’s seminal idea can blossom large and beautiful, especially when friends support and/or collaborate. The stylized line-and-color illustrations feature children of varied racial presentations, their expressive faces rendered with simple lines of ink. Finn, who has pale skin and black hair, shares a bedroom with similarly complexioned brother Oscar, sleepy-faced as Finn excitedly reveals their idea, which “slid to the top of their tongue and begged to be shared.” The accessible text uses a captivating combination of words synonymous with thinking and imagery that makes an idea appear tangible. As Finn trots happily to school and begins discussing their idea with other students, the art shows its expansion with bright, sunny colors, swirling patterns, and shapes suggesting positive feelings. Frowning, freckle-faced Otis, a White boy, insists Finn’s idea is weird and that only his gray, rocklike idea is valid. Finn rallies after a moment of self-doubt and then invites all the children to contribute. Will Otis come around? What is this exciting, burgeoning idea? On the final page, vibrant, colorful artwork eases the tension introduced by the text’s open-endedness. Immediate discussion is demanded.

Unique, playful, provocative.