I absolutely, positively love my spots

"I stand up and I stand out./ I am the light and the spark," declares the vivacious narrator of Rivera's upbeat debut, a Black child with vitiligo who indicates that "I was created special/ with my many beauty marks." As other kids, portrayed with varied skin tones, ask about the protagonist's appearance, referencing their "blotches," "dots," and "patches," the child's parents affirm that "Vitiligo makes you YOU!" and "You're royalty through and through!" After playing indoors and out, the narrator takes the stage for a guitar performance as rhythmic language builds to an emphatic declaration: "I'm standing bold and beautiful/ as I rock what I got,// 'Cause I absolutely, positively/ love my spots!" Via texture and contrast, digital illustrations from Mata add warmth and lightheartedness to this self-loving tale. An author's note and notes about vitiligo conclude. Ages 4--8. (June)

A Black girl with vitiligo celebrates what makes her different. This utterly charming picture book from vitiligo advocate Rivera exudes self-love from cover to cover. The story opens with the protagonist admiring herself in the mirror: "I stand up and I stand out / I am the light and the spark." She admires the beauty marks on her face, hands, and legs. Others are curious about her "patches," "dots," or "blotches." The child introduces the term vitiligo to explain why her skin looks the way it does. Her mother tells her, "Vitiligo makes you YOU!" while her father says she's "royalty through and through." The young protagonist proudly proclaims, "My skin is fly!" Whether she is playing in a cardboard house, floating paper boats in a stream during a rainy day at the park, or attending art class, her confidence is infectious. Depicting a diverse community, Mata's digital illustrations are full of texture and joy; the protagonist cuts an undeniably endearing figure. In an author's note, Rivera discusses the bullying she confronted growing up due to her vitiligo; she also includes photos of herself as a child, a brief explanation of the condition, and a short glossary of terms such as depigmentation and melanin. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Much-needed encouragement to love the skin we're in. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.