Reviewed by Catherine Taunton
Review Source: Reading Is Resistance
Book Author: Charlotte Sullivan Wild
All day long, Violet’s stomach lurched. What if Violet couldn’t give her valentine? What if Mira didn’t want her valentine? What if . . . they never adventured?
In Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild, we see Violet create, contemplate, and inevitably give her (then squashed) valentine to her crush, Mira. This book digs into the feelings of adoration that Violet carries for Mira. We see Violet’s anxiety about approaching Mira, how she deals with confrontations with her classmates, and how she eventually gets over her fears to give Mira her valentine.
This book is written by a queer woman, so we know that Violet’s identity intersects with that of the author. There are a variety of races, genders, and sexualities represented in the book, both through the illustrations and the storyline. While Violet’s gender identity is never explicitly stated, we see she likes Mira and goes about expressing that through her valentine. It’s all very accepting and realistic for how it is at that age.
I would recommend this book to all children purely to normalize the idea of various gender identities and expressions early on in childhood. The author addresses the topic of sexuality without overtly discussing it with adult language and formulates it in a story that is easy for kids to follow. Allowing children to have access to this knowledge will lead to a more open and accepting society, no matter what role the child may play as an adult.
Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild
on January 4, 2022
Genres: LGBTQ
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Grade K
ISBN: 9780374390686
Review Source: Reading Is Resistance
Publisher's Synopsis: Stonewall Book Award Winner
Lambda Literary Award Finalist
Charlotte Huck Honor BookPerfect for Valentine's Day, Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua is a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings.
Only one person
makes Violet’s heart skip.Of all the kids in Violet's class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira, the girl with the cheery laugh who races like the wind. If only they could adventure together! But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine's Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is.
Charlene Chua’s luminous watercolors bring to life this sweet and gentle picture book about friendship, love, and the courage it takes to share your heart.
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