Neither

Anderson (Cat's Colors) tackles exclusion, difference, and identity in a sweet-tempered fable. Cute blue bunnies and yellow birds stay with their own kind: "these and those." One day, a green bird with rabbit ears hatches. "I'm both!" it announces. "You can't be both!" the birds and bunnies chorus. "You must be neither!" Pushed out of both groups, the winged, long-eared creature takes the name Neither and flies off dejectedly in search of a place to call home, soaring first over regimented blue and yellow fields, then over a verdant forest of blended colors and natural contours. There, other hybrid fantasy animals appear in every color--except green. "I'm different from everyone here," worries Neither. "I'm neither red nor orange nor yellow nor blue." The other creatures see it differently. "Exactly!" they cheer--their new friend offers them something they don't have. Anderson's candy-colored palette and adorable cast of creatures reflect a spectrum of states of being, creating a book that works as a resource for conversations about race, blended identities, gender norms, and more. Ages 4-8. Agent: Sara Sciuto, Fuse Literary. (Feb.)

K-Gr 2--This relatable tale of not fitting in begins in the Land of This and That where one is either a blue bunny or a yellow bird. When a green bird-bunny hybrid is hatched, it declares itself Both. In the Land of This and That one must be one or the other, being both is not acceptable. So Both is instead declared Neither and it is suggested in no uncertain terms that as "not one of us" it should find "Somewhere Else." Both flies away and alights in the The Land of All where myriad creatures in all colors, shapes, and sizes live and all are welcome. Both even welcomes some of his former Landmates who don't fit in the Land of This and That. Featuring lots of bright bold colors, plenty of word balloons, and a ton of fantastic critters (like a purple butterfly cat) Anderson's illustrations are a perfect match for the message of her text. Who knew a bird-bunny face could be so expressive? Cleverly, Anderson never specifies a name or gender, so her bird-bunny is a perfect avatar for all. VERDICT This less-than-subtle tale of belonging hits all right notes and is filled with fun, fantastical creatures to boot. The last line of the book sums it all up--"Once upon a time there were many kinds...and all were welcome!"--Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH