Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ben loves to paint his nails for many reasons. He likes the brilliant colors ("Pistachio and orange! A match made in heaven!" he and his friend Margarita exclaim), and the polish makes his fingers feel both familiar and strange ("He likes picking things up just to look at his hands"). But when some boys at school start in with gendered jeering ("Ben is a girly girl!"), Ben quietly stops painting his nails on school days, even after his dad paints his own in solidarity. On his birthday, Ben enters his classroom and receives a dazzling surprise. Coauthors Acosta (Little Captain Jack) and Amavisca (Bang Bang I Hurt the Moon) keep their focus tight, concentrating on Ben's feelings and the way the boys' taunting torments him ("He felt even sadder than the day his fish went to fishy heaven"). Loose-lined drawings with gently tinted wash by Gusti (Mallko and Dad) underscore the intimacy and loyalty of Ben's family. This isn't a story in which the bullied child takes things into his own hands; instead, Ben's class helps him to realize that the bullies' scorn doesn't represent everyone's feelings. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-This picture book import from Spanish authors Acosta and Amavisca and Argentinian illustrator Dawlatly tells the story of Ben, a boy who likes to wear nail polish. Red-haired, tan-skinned Ben paints his nails with his mother and his friend Margarita. When boys at school tease Ben and call him a girl, he becomes sad and withdrawn and stops wearing nail polish to school. He confides in his parents, and his dad normalizes the practice by wearing his own nail polish, including when he picks up Ben from school. The story resolves on Ben's birthday, when all of his classmates paint their nails as a special treat. Although the teasing is gender-based, the tale does not focus on gender identity but rather on Ben's love of colorful nails, his deep hurt and sadness from the bullying, and the unconditional love and support of his family and friends. The translation is smooth and the writing clear and straightforward. Children will understand the narrative easily and empathize with Ben. Gusti's watercolors are loose and flowing, similar to those of Chris Raschka. The bright nails stand out from the earth tones of the characters' skin, hair, and clothing. The love between the family is depicted through physical contact, and Ben's smile and rosy cheeks light up the final page, as he flaunts his blue polish while wearing a birthday hat. VERDICT An -endearing picture book about bullying, identity, and family.-Clara -Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A timely look at self-expression. Kindergarten-age Ben paints his fingernails because he loves their colorful appeal. Unfortunately, not everyone does. While walking to school one morning, Ben is harassed by two other boys: "Painting your nails is for girls. You're a girl! You're a girl!" Ben initially internalizes the negative feelings but eventually tells his parents. Although Ben's father shows solidarity by painting his nails as well, this does not stop the bullying. Ben sadly kowtows to gender conformity and paints his nails only on the weekend, although his father continues to pick him up after school with painted nails. On Ben's birthday, his entire class surprises him with painted nails, and at recess, they do it again. End of story! Educators and caregivers should prepare themselves for the barrage of logical questions that are sure to follow: Why didn't Ben's parents talk to his teacher about the bullying? What happened the next day? Did the bullies learn anything? Books about gender nonconformity are needed, as are titles that celebrate general messages of acceptance, but this story is too superficial and the ending too slapdash to be worth the attention. Gusti's illustrations, which echo the stylings of Jules Pfeiffer, do little to enhance the text. Most characters appear white, while darker-skinned characters are reduced to background filler only. The book is also available in Spanish. Skip it. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
