#Kaylani Juanita

[transbookoftheday]

When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita

When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn’t fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life. Then Mom and Dad announce that they’re going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning—from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does "making things right" actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self.

When Aidan Became a Brother is a heartwarming book that will resonate with transgender children, reassure any child concerned about becoming an older sibling, and celebrate the many transitions a family can experience.

[bashsbooks]

I'm participating in the Trans Rights Readathon (March 20th-March 27th) created by Sims-bookstagrams-badly AND I'm doing this Trans Book Challenge (no time frame) on The StoryGraph!

This is my second book for the week: When Aidan Became a Brother, written by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita!

I don't often read children's books these days, but when I was the target age group for this book, nothing like this existed (or, if it did, I never ran across it in school libraries, public libraries, or friends & family's private libraries - and I was voracious reader from a young age). SO I am using my various trans reading goals as an excuse to make up for lost time! I've heard so much about this one, and the illustrations are GORGEOUS. I'm hyped to read it.

The full summary of When Aidan Became a Brother can be found here.

And you can donate to Mermaids here and/or the Trans Health Legal Fund here!

Happy trans reading y'all!!!

[queer-book-society]

do you know any lgbtq+ children books?

Absolutely :) 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Title: All Bodies Are Cool

Author(s): Tyler Feder

Description: This picture book is a pure celebration of all the different human bodies that exist in the world. Highlighting the various skin tones, body shapes, and hair types is just the beginning in this truly inclusive book. With its joyful illustrations and encouraging refrain, it will instill body acceptance and confidence in the youngest of readers. “My body, your body, every different kind of body! All of them are good bodies! BODIES ARE COOL!”

Title: A Family Is a Family Is a Family

Author(s): Sara O'Leary, Qin Leng (Artist)

Description: When a teacher asks the children in her class to think about what makes their families special, the answers are all different in many ways — but the same in the one way that matters most of all. One child is worried that her family is just too different to explain, but listens as her classmates talk about what makes their families special. One is raised by a grandmother, and another has two dads. One is full of stepsiblings, and another has a new baby. As one by one, her classmates describe who they live with and who loves them — family of every shape, size and every kind of relation — the child realizes that as long as her family is full of caring people, her family is special.

Title: When Aidan Became A Brother

Author(s): Kyle Lukoff, Kaylani Juanita (Artist)

Description: When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life. Then Mom and Dad announce that they're going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning--from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does "making things right" actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self.

Title: My Maddy

Author(s): Gayle E. Pitman, Violet Tobacco (Artist)

Description: A child celebrates her Maddy, who is neither mommy nor daddy but a little bit of both, like so many things in nature. Includes note to parents.

Title: This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us

Author(s): Eric Bell, Ashley Herring Blake, Lisa Jenn Bigelow, Lisa Bunker, Alex Gino, Justina Ireland, Shing Yin Khor, Mariama J. Lockington, Marieke Nijkamp, Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Molly Knox Ostertag, Aida Salazar, A.J. Sass, Katherine Locke (Editor), Nicole Melleby (Editor)

Description: A boyband fandom becomes a conduit to coming out. A former bully becomes a first-kiss prospect. One nonbinary kid searches for an inclusive athletic community after quitting gymnastics. Another nonbinary kid, who happens to be a pirate, makes a wish that comes true--but not how they thought it would. A tween girl navigates a crush on her friend's mom. A young witch turns herself into a puppy to win over a new neighbor. A trans girl empowers her online bestie to come out.

Title: Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag

Author(s): Rob Sanders, Steven Salerno (Artist)

Description: In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world. Award-winning author Rob Sanders’s stirring text, and acclaimed illustrator Steven Salerno’s evocative images, combine to tell this remarkable—and undertold—story. A story of love, hope, equality, and pride.

Title: Jack (Not Jackie)

Author(s): Erica Silverman, Holly Hatam (Artist)

Description: Susan thinks her little sister Jackie has the best giggle! She can't wait for Jackie to get older so they can do all sorts of things like play forest fairies and be explorers together. But as Jackie grows, she doesn't want to play those games. She wants to play with mud and be a super bug! Jackie also doesn't like dresses or her long hair, and she would rather be called Jack.

Title: I Am Jazz

Author(s): Jessica Herthel, Jazz Jennings, Shelagh McNicholas (Artist)

Description: From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl's brain in a boy's body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn't feel like herself in boys' clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way.

Title: Rebel Girls Celebrate Pride: 25 Tales of Self-Love and Community

Author(s): Rebel Girls, Elena Favilli (Forward)

Description: This collection features 25 inspiring tales of proud members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Read about how these women, girls, and nonbinary people broke down barriers, honored their identities, and lived authentically no matter what anyone else said.

Title: The Mother of a Movement: Jeanne Manford -- Ally, Activist, and Co-Founder of PFLAG

Author(s): Rob Sanders, Sam Kalda (Artist)

Description: The Mother of a Movement tells the story of Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). When her son Morty was beaten by New York City officials for handing out pro-gay leaflets, Manford wrote a powerful letter to the New York Post to complain about how Morty was treated. In the letter she came out as the mother of a gay son. The letter was published. Morty invited his mother to march with him in the June 1972 Christopher Street Parade. While marching, she had the idea to form a group to help parents and families of LGBTQ+ people. That was the beginning of PFLAG.

[lgbtqreads]

Hello, I know this may be too specific, but do you have recommendations on Picture books, specially with MLM or trans topics? Basically books that are easy read and understand for young readers, Ty in advance

Definitely not too specific - I've got a whole page of them here! https://lgbtqreads.com/childrens/ In particular, I love When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff/Kaylani Juanita for a trans protag, Small Knight and the Anxiety Monster by Manka Kasha specifically for one with a nonbinary protag, and Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio/Leo Espinosa is so freaking heartwarming (and mlm). But do browse the page for lots of different options!

[futurelibrariansstuff]

Bibliographic Data:

Walter Dean Myers. 2009. LOOKING LIKE ME. Ill. by Chrostopher Myers. Carolrhoda Books. ISBN 978-1606840016.

Plot Summary:

In this splashy, rhythmic celebration of the wonders of life, Walter Dean Myer's hypnotic text combines with his son's fresh photo-collage illustrations to create a new picture book about self-esteem and growing up with an urban beat.

Critical Analysis: 

Looking Like Me  follows Jeremy, the main character, as he works to figure out who he really is. As he greets different people in his life, each of them gives him insight into who he is to them. A son, brother, friend, writer, the main character journeys through all the roles he plays in other’s lives and finally realizes that he is a lot of things by saying “It is kind of amazing all the people I am.” The story shows all the various and positive roles that young black men have in families, education, and society as a whole.

This book is short, but there are many references to African American culture to be found. Although it is not shown much about Jeremy and his life (no nods to his socioeconomic class, evil vs. good, or even where he lives), the book does a good job of representing African American children as the positive influences they are. 

The book reads like a rap song: “I looked in the mirror / And what did I see? / A real handsome dude looking just like me. / He put out his fist. / I gave it a bam! / He said, ‘Jeremy!’ I said, ‘That’s who I am.'” This is a nod to the importance that rap and hip-hop have on African American culture. When read aloud, it evokes a rhythm and has a catchy rhyme scheme. 

Additionally, the young character is greeted by many members of his community and feels waves of love and acceptance, helping the reader understand the impact that positive relationships and role models can have on children, especially young black ones. African American children have historically been portrayed as fighting through adversity and other struggles, but this book celebrates the joy and importance of being black. 

Christopher Myers’ illustrations provide readers with beautiful, vibrant illustrations that showcase the multitude of roles that Jeremy plays in his life. Myers uses collage-style cutouts for the background, and in the foreground are solid cut-outs filled with symbols that represent the specific role Jeremy plays being highlighted on that page.

Looking Like Me by Walter Dean Myers is a short, but important, book that encourages readers to find out all the things they really are. Not only that, it shows a young black character in a positive light, which is so important for today’s youth.

Review Excerpt(s):

"The rhyme and repetition flow naturally, capturing the rhythms of everyday conversation and the hip-hop beats many children hear daily....This book is an excellent introduction to verse, for it vividly demonstrates how poetry is a vital part of daily life." ―starred, School Library Journal

"This very contemporary work is encouraging, energetic, and inspired." ―starred, Booklist

"This vibrant synthesis of poetry and pictures is a natural for classrooms and family sharing." ―starred, Kirkus Reviews

"[E]ven the more curmudgeonly among us might appreciate the message when it's dressed up as fine as it is in this picture book by Myers pére et fils." ―The Horn Book Magazine

Connections:

Other books that celebrate the beauty and importance of young African Americans:

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon. Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Bright Eyes, Brown Skin by Cheryl Willis Hudson and Bernette G. Ford.  Illustrated by George Ford

Beautiful You, Beautiful Me  by Tasha Spillett-Sumner. Illustrated by Salini Perera

[evreadseverything]

Book Review of Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

Genre: Poetry, Family, African-American Life

Audience: 1st-5th Grade

Medium: Physical Book

Summary: Magnificent Homespun Brown is an ode to the color brown told through descriptive prose through the eyes of a young girl.

Justification: I chose this book as I was drawn to it due to the warm colors on the cover. I was also reminded of when I used to play in fallen leaves as a child. Lastly, the title seemed like it would be an interesting read as brown isn't talked about as much in regard to being a loved color.

Evaluation of Illustrations: Kaylani Juanita did a wonderful job illustrating all the different shades of brown that are featured in the book. Juanita had a way of ensuring that the browns were always warm-toned and vivid. The illustrations of each character in the book reminded me of drawings that I used to see growing up in children's shows and books. There was also attention to detail in how each character had a hairstyle that was drawn a bit differently. This allowed for each character to be their own person.

Evaluation of Verse: Samara Cole Doyon has a talent for writing poetry that allows the reader to clearly visualize what is being read. A noteworthy part of the book is when Doyon is describing the area that the young narrator and her dad are in as they take a hike. I could clearly picture the shadows that the trees created and how every now and then the sun would make its way through. Doyon's verses flowed smoothly which allows for this to be a good book to read aloud to children.

Evaluation of Representation: Magnificent Homespun Brown is a great book for representation. Unfortunately, the color brown is often seen as a "boring" color and some may think it has a negative connotation. This book easily disproves any negativity on the color brown and instead challenges readers to see the beauty of it in their daily life. Those that have a brown skin tone will feel confident in themselves as this book continuously conveys the wonders of brown. As the title suggests, it is truly a "celebration"!

APA Citation: Doyon, S. C. (2020). Magnificent Homespun Brown: A celebration (K. Juanita, Illus.). Tilbury House Publishers.

[stephaniejoanneus]

Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. Chronicle Books, 2023. 9781797212494 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5 Format: Hardcover picture book What did you like about the book? A happy, loving Black family cheers on a young boy as he learns to swim. Father, mother, and big sister are all together in the pool while Mom gives simple instructions to…

[winningthesweepstakes]

Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita. Chronicle Books, 2023. 9781797212494 Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5 Format: Hardcover picture book What did you like about the book? A happy, loving Black family cheers on a young boy as he learns to swim. Father, mother, and big sister are all together in the pool while Mom gives simple instructions to…

[nerds-in-wonderland]

🌈✨📚Childrens Books Banned For Inclusivity📚✨🌈

When Aiden Became A Brother

By: Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita

"When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl. His parents gave him a pretty name, his room looked like a girl's room, and he wore clothes that other girls liked wearing. After he realized he was a trans boy, Aidan and his parents fixed the parts of his life that didn't fit anymore, and he settled happily into his new life.

Then Mom and Dad announce that they're going to have another baby, and Aidan wants to do everything he can to make things right for his new sibling from the beginning--from choosing the perfect name to creating a beautiful room to picking out the cutest onesie. But what does "making things right" actually mean? And what happens if he messes up? With a little help, Aidan comes to understand that mistakes can be fixed with honesty and communication, and that he already knows the most important thing about being a big brother: how to love with his whole self."

~Alice 🌌

[yourdailyqueer]

Kaylani Juanita

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Queer

DOB: N/A

Ethnicity: Black - biracial

Occupation: Illustrator, activist

[transbookoftheday]

Leave Trans Kids Alone

Inspired by David Tennant's "Leave Trans Kids Alone You Absolute Freaks" shirt, here are some amazing trans middle grade and picture books you should read:

Book titles:

99% Chance of Magic by Amy Eleanor Heart, Abbey Darling and Luna Merbruja

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith

Jamie by L.D. Lapinski

Camp QUILTBAG by Nicole Melleby and A. J. Sass

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow

Moonflower by Kacen Callender

Joy, to the World by Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker

Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass

Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges, Meaghan Carter and Joamette Gil

Obie Is Man Enough by Schuyler Bailar

Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino

The House That Whispers by Lin Thompson

Both Can Be True by Jules Machias

The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill

Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff

Jude Saves the World by Ronnie Riley

Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee

The Ship We Built by Lexie Bean

Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth Lapensee, KC Oster and Aarin Dokum

Skating on Mars by Caroline Huntoon

Tally the Witch by Molly Landgraff

The Beautiful Something Else by Ash Van Otterloo

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

The Fabulous Zed Watson! by Basil Sylvester and Kevin Sylvester

The Ojja-Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio and Jenn St-Onge

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

The One Who Loves You the Most by medina

Me and My Dysphoria Monster by Laura Kate Dale and Hui Qing Ang

When Aidan Became A Brother by Kyle Lukoff and Kaylani Juanita

Calvin by J.R. Ford, Vanessa Ford and Kayla Harren

[blackchildrensbooksandauthors]

🙌🏿New Picture Book!!!

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

Samara Cole Doyon

 Kaylani Juanita

Tilbury House 

Told by a succession of exuberant young narrators, Magnificent Homespun Brown is a story -- a song, a poem, a celebration -- about feeling at home in one’s own beloved skin. Samara Cole Doyon’s joyful book contains multitudes.

Available at👉🏿 | Amazon | IndieBound

Find more children’s and young adult books by Black authors here

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[underthetweed]

Stonewall Award Winners: Kyle Lukoff, Kaylani Juanita: When Aidan Became a Brother 

“I'm so lucky that my entire life is basically being gay and reading books.” -Kyle Lukoff, librarian, author, hero

(via Shelf Awareness)

[lgbtqreads]

Better Know an Author: Kyle Lukoff

Better Know an Author: Kyle Lukoff

I am truly beyond excited to have Kyle Lukoff on the site today to discuss his work, and if you think I’m exaggerating, please know that this is the first interview I’ve been able to do in like a year because so many questions burst out of my it was like my excitement shook me out of a cursed state. His newest is his debut Middle Grade, Too Bright to See, which has received approximately as many…

[roesolo]

Missing Mommy: Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle

Missing Mommy: Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle @candlewick @nina_lacour @kaylanijuanita

Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, by Nina LaCour/Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (March 2022, Candlewick Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536211511 Ages 3-7 A little girl loves her cuddly life with her Mama and her Mommy, but when Mommy has to go away for a week for work, she misses her more than anything. This book just bursts with joy and love, and is spot-on for any child who misses a beloved…

[evreadseverything]

Book Review Master List!

Prek-6th Grade Books:

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman, illustrated by Keith Mallett.

Cicada Symphony by Sue Fliess and illustrated by Gareth Lucas.

The Talk by Alicia D. Williams and illustrated by Briana Mukodiri.

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and illustrated by Zeke Pena

Hot Dog by Doug Salati

Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles by Michelle Meadows and illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon and illustrated by Kaylani Juanita

The Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman and illustrated by Peggy Collins

My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman and illustrated by Violet Tobacco

Middle Grade/7th-12th Grade:

Jukebox by Nidhi Chanani

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Together We Burn by Isabel Ibanez

Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 1 by Gege Akutami