Happy Sunday, kidlit friends. I’m sure I’m not the only one devastated and heartbroken at the death of nonbinary Choctaw teen Nex Benedict after they were attacked by students at school. While events are still unclear as of the time I’m writing this newsletter, what is sure is that the rampant LGBTQ+ legislation and book banning has caused an increase in LGBTQ+ hate crimes. It is imperative that queer kidlit be available to kids, not only for queer kids to be able to see themselves (which is vital), but so all kids can see LGBTQ+ folks as human beings. This should not have happened. Below, I review four children’s books by and about Indigenous queer folk. May Nex rest in power. My heart goes out to their family and friends.
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Bookish Goods
Every Child Matters Print by StephLittleBird
This lovely print is by an Indigenous, Two-Spirit artist. It would be perfect to hang beside a children’s bookshelf full of inclusive books. $25
New Releases
What’s New, Daniel? by Micha Archer
The third Daniel picture book in Archer’s nature-themed series is a lovely spring read. Daniel is at the park with his grandfather when his grandfather asks, “What’s new, Daniel?” Daniel decides to find out and explores everything around him, finding many new things to tell his grandfather about, from a sun-heated rock to recently hatched ducklings. Archer’s trademark vibrant collages are gorgeous as always, and I just love Daniel’s simple joy in nature.
Bumps in the Night by Amalie Howard
This super fun middle grade horror is based on Trinidadian folklore. After almost 13-year-old Rika vandalizes her middle school with her art, her father and stepmom send her from Colorado to live with her maternal grandmother in Trinidad for the summer. Rika absolutely does not want to go; however, she does want to find a way to locate her mom, who she hasn’t heard from in years, and her grandmother’s house might hold some of her mother’s secrets. While there, she discovers her grandmother is a witch and also has many dark secrets.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
There aren’t that many Indigenous queer kidlit, and I hope to read more in the future. If you know of any that you love not listed here, feel free to email me the titles at the email listed at the end of the newsletter.
47,000 Beads by Koja Adeyoha and Angel Adeyoha, illustrated by Holly McGillis
I first heard of this picture book after Book Riot contributor Laura Sackton reviewed it on her kidlit Instagram. Peyton, who is Lakota, doesn’t want to attend a powwow and dance. Her Auntie Eyota realizes why —because Peyton doesn’t want to wear a dress — and calls on their Indigenous community to help craft Peyton the perfect outfit for the powwow. This is an affirming, community-driven picture book with lovely illustrations.
Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa
I’ve reviewed this picture book on here before, but it can never be reviewed too often. It’s a retelling of an Indigenous Hawaiian legend about how four Mahu — individuals of dual male and female spirit — brought healing powers to Hawaii. When the four arrive from Tahiti, they are welcomed and teach the people their healing arts and cures. When they leave, the Hawaiians erect four stones to commemorate them. The stones were forgotten until the 1960s. This picture book is bilingual and written in both English and Ōlelo Niʻihau.
Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée, illustrated by KC Oster, Anishinaabe translation by Aarin Dokum
This middle grade graphic novel retells Alice in Wonderland from an Anishinaabe perspective. Aimée, a nonbinary Anishinaabe tween, is going on a field trip with her school for a water ceremony. She has been relentlessly bullied for being queer, and she mentally escapes by playing video games on her phone. She’s so engrossed in her phone that she wanders away from the group and into the spirit world, where she must help a white rabbit defeat a land-hungry queen. This engaging and inventive graphic novel addresses land rights, pronouns, queer identity, Anishinaabe storytelling, and more.
The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon, releases in September 2024
I have not had a chance to read Edgmon’s middle grade debut yet, since it releases in September, but I’m excited to! I loved his YA fantasy Witch King series. The Flicker is about two step-siblings and their toddler half-sibling in an apocalypse, braving the Appalachian mountains on their own to find their Seminole grandmother. Edgmon is queer, and their other books have had queer characters in them, so I’m hoping this one does, too.
One of the first signs of spring for me is when the wild daffodils begin blooming along trails in a nearby park. Last weekend, the forest was alive with spots of bright yellow. I hope everyone finds some yellow in their week.
If you’d like to read more of my kidlit reviews, I’m on Instagram @BabyLibrarians, Twitter @AReaderlyMom, Bluesky @AReaderlyMom.bsky.social, and blog irregularly at Baby Librarians. You can also read my Book Riot posts. If you’d like to drop me a line, my email is kingsbury.margaret@gmail.com.
All the best,
Margaret