Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Something Great

Author: Jeanette Bradley

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 5/5

Diversity: Nonbinary MC, Black character

Recommended For...: children’s, picture book, STEM, non-binary rep

Publication Date: October 11, 2022

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Age Relevance: 0+

Explanation of Above: It’s a picture book about imagination and enjoying the simple things in life.

Publisher: Levine Querido

Pages: 40

Synopsis: Voila! Quinn spent the morning in their workshop, and they emerged with Something Great! But. What is it?

No one seemed to understand that Something Great isn't supposed to be anything. It was just. itself. Something Great.

Then, the new kid asks to play with Quinn and Something Great. They discover that Something Great can be an elevator, a bug catcher, or a stick lifter. It could even be. a friend finder.

Quietly profound, this sweet tale and its mixed-media illustrations are a delightful combination of elements blending STEM activities (for those inclined to catch them!) with casual nonconformity in a picture book that is, well, Something Great!

Review: I absolutely loved this book so much! I loved that the MC was non-binary and that wasn’t what the book was about. While I love books that talk about being non-binary or other identities, it’s refreshing to have books where the MC has those identities but they’re just allowed to exist and not justify their existence like cis white children in other picture books are. I love that the message of the book was that not everything had to be something, it can just exist and be, which I think is a great message for everyone. This book also blends STEM activities into the pages, which would be a great building block if you want to incorporate that into your children’s lives.

Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!