What Are You?
by Christian Trimmer (Author) Mike Curato (Illustrator)
From Christian Trimmer and award-winning illustrator Mike Curato comes What Are You?, a brilliant, new early-reader picture book brimming with warmth and playfulness that explores questions of race and identity.
When a puggle meets two new poodle friends, there is a question the poodles feel they must ask.
What are you?
What am I?
Yes, what are you?
I am a dog.
No, what are you?
So begins a conversation about family and identity, and about the things we're good at... and why we're good at them. Brimming with warmth and playfulness, What Are You? is an exemplary picture book for early readers. Equally funny and thoughtful, the book includes prompts to facilitate important first conversations about stereotypes and bias between child and adult.
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Publishers Weekly
After enjoying a game with two new poodle acquaintances, a puggle faces an unexpected question from its playmates: "What are you?" Proudly, it replies: "I am a dog!" Learning that the puggle is a cross between a beagle and a pug, the poodles make inferences about what it might be "good at." All pugs are skilled at hula hoop, they insist, and all beagles are adept with pogo sticks. The puggle smartly--and without rancor--turns the tables: after asking the poodles what they're good at ("Lots of things!"), it follows up with, "Are you good at those things because you are poodles?" Now the poodles understand the folly of making others fit into biased notions of identity; one is adept at things because "I like them and I practice and I am me." Trimmer (The Little Things) employs matter-of-fact dialogue to keep the stereotype-prompted conversation squarely focused on curiosity and empathy, while cotton candy-hued, marker-style digital art by Curato (Where Is Bina Bear?) lends the same vibe to the characters' interplay. A human variation of the conversation opens up to a reader-equipping discussion guide. Ages 3-6. Agent (for Trimmer and Curato): Brenda Bowen, Book Group. (Oct.)
Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2--Two poodles question another dog's breed, which is puggle: half pug, half beagle. Once the breed is identified, the poodles make broad stereotypes about the pup. For instance, all pugs are good at hula-hooping, and all beagles are good at pogo sticks. The puggle explains that what the puggle likes and does is based on individual preference, not a "breed." In essence, this story boils down complicated stereotypes about race, culture, and gender into a simple allegory for young readers. Back matter includes discussion questions written by a child psychologist to help adults guide conversations about stereotypes. Curato brings mastery to the discussion, with expressive and colorful artwork that elevates the discussion and lifts the allegory further. The book's warm pastel palette is welcoming. VERDICT A must-have for any public or school library collection.--Chance Lee Joyner
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Christian Trimmer is a children's book writer and editor. He is the author of Simon's New Bed, Teddy's Favorite Toy, Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies, and What Are You?. He lives with his husband in Hillsdale, New York.
Rachel Gyan is a multidisciplinary illustrator based in the Western suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. She is passionate about artful storytelling and known for her Australian fauna and flora illustrations filled with heart-warming characters and whimsical narrative brought to life through texture and vibrant color palettes. Growing up in rural Victoria, Rachel's love for Australian wildlife and animal welfare was apparent from childhood. From the time she could hold a pencil she has been studying and drawing inspiration from animals and their environment to capture their beautiful and sometimes quirky nature in her work.JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV039120 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Identity
Identity (Psychology)
Picture books
Poodles
Animal fiction
Stereotypes
Puggles
Stereotypes(Social psychology)
