Published: 27th October 2015
Publisher: Clarion Books
Illustrator: Melita Tirado
Pages: 26
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ – 2 Stars
They, she, he . . . all together, us! Join along in this vibrant board book’s joyful celebration of people and their pronouns.This is no nonsense picture book. Technically it isn’t a story, it’s basically a PSA in book form. That isn’t to say it’s bad or ineffectual. It’s basically a book that says if you want to know what to call someone: ask. End book. But then there are a few pages of examples through illustrations of the different types of people that you may meet and the pronouns they may use.
I think it’s a bit simplified to call it a celebration of people and their pronouns when there are basically no words in this book besides she, he, and they. No extra text explaining anything until you get to the resources and notes at the very end. Nothing reminding people that you can’t assume based on appearance, don’t ignore requests, or listen when people correct you and don’t feel bad we’re all learning. Something might have been more helpful than a few pages that are picture book sized posters of nothing.
I’m sure it’s still a good basic intro book, but there would have to be so many conversations as a result. Which again, is great, I love books that start conversations, but it is a lot easier if that is aided by the book. Having a page of notes and resources at the end is something that could happen with any book that had a real story attached to it. Even this one with a few more words would do.
Overall, it was fine, but it’s weird to call it a book. It could be a poster on the wall and illicit the same conversation. If you want a better book about pronouns for kids a better option would be What Are Your Words by Katherine Locke which you can watch a video of it being read here.
You can purchase The Pronoun Book via the following
QBD | Booktopia | Blackwell’s
