Author: Neal DeShanna
Brand: Kokila
Color: Multicolor
Package Dimensions: 9x279x370
Number Of Pages: 32
Release Date: 20-10-2020
Details: Product Description
A dedicated mom puts love into action as she creates the perfect rainbow-colored wig for her transgender daughter, based on the real-life experience of mother-daughter advocate duo Trinity and DeShanna Neal.
Warm morning sunlight and love fill the Neal home. And on one quiet day, playtime leads to an important realization:Trinity wants long hair like her dolls. She needs it to express who she truly is.
So her family decides to take a trip to the beauty supply store, but none of the wigs is the perfect fit. Determined, Mom leaves with bundles of hair in hand, ready to craft a wig as colorful and vibrant as her daughter is.
With powerful text by Trinity and DeShanna Neal and radiant art by Art Twink,
My Rainbow is a celebration of showing up as our full selves with the people who have seen us fully all along.
From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-A lively #OwnVoices picture book tribute to a family’s unwavering support of their transgender daughter, written by a mother-daughter advocate duo and based on their experiences. Trinity, who is a Black transgender girl, liked to play with her siblings, her dolls, and her pet pig, Peter Porker. One day, Trinity expressed frustration that she couldn’t be a girl because she didn’t have long hair. She needed long hair to feel like herself. When Trinity’s mother pointed out her own short hair, Trinity explained, “People don’t care if cisgender girls like you have short hair. But it’s different for transgender girls. I need long hair!” The family took a trip to the beauty store. None of the wigs seemed to be the best choice for Trinity. Mom took matters into her own hands and crafted a one-of-a-kind rainbow wig just for her daughter. Trinity loved it: “It’s me, Mom. My hair has finally come!” The text’s frank and refreshing usage of terms such as cisgender will spark necessary conversations between children and caregivers. Twink’s digital illustrations are vibrant and colorful just like Trinity and feature small but important details, including a beauty store employee named Maya wearing a “they/them” pronoun name tag. Some readers may feel that a few details could have been expanded on, such as Trinity’s autism, which is acknowledged throughout the book but is not the main focus. VERDICT There are very few books widely published and readily available that spotlight Black trans girls and women; this picture book is an affirming, uplifting story to add to school and public library collections.-Allison Staley, Lake Oswego P.L., ORα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
PRAISE FOR MY RAINBOW
A Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book 2020A 2021 American Library Association #RainbowBookList Top 10 PickA Parent’s Magazine Book Club Pick
A University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Best Book for Young Readers 2020
“A revolutionary representation of joy and self-expression.” —
Kirkus, starred review
“A joyful family story that emphasizes the importance of listening and loving people for who they are.” —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
“An affirming, uplifting story to add to school and public library collections.” —
School Library Journal
About the Author
DeShanna and Trinity Neal are a mother-daughter team of writers, advocates for black and transgender rights and awareness, and have been featured in major publications such as
National Geographic,
The Advocate, and
Essence. DeShanna and Trinity write to foster understanding between transgender, cisgender, and nonbinary children.
Art Twink is a creator and lover of all things queer, colorful, and cute. They’ve worked on artivism for prison abolition, transgender liberation, and mental health issues. Catch them @art_twink for more stories of queer brown happiness.
