Call me Gray

"Every winter I build an ice rink with my dad. It's a tradition." This year things feel different. As they construct the rink, night after night, the child slowly opens up. "'Do you ever feel mixed up about who you are?' I ask. . . . 'Do you ever feel different than the way you look?'" Dad misunderstands the child's approach to this important conversation around identity, but the kid bravely shifts tacks and continues trying. "'I look like a boy but sometimes I feel more like a girl.' There. I said it." Dad reacts supportively, fumbling after the child asks "to change my name to Gray," but Gray firmly corrects him. The new name "feels warm. It feels right"--just like their post-skate cocoa. Concise text on seasonally white expanses of gouache illustrations sustains a spare, child-centered focus, and Gray's vulnerability is met with wonderful support and realistic imperfection. A truly welcome addition to coming out stories with positive modeling of open conversations and parental acceptance.

A queer child comes out amid a family tradition. Every winter, Gray and Dad build an ice rink together. But this year, something feels different. As the duo work side by side, the young protagonist shares feelings of hurt and confusion stemming from an incident at school, when best friend Zena didn't invite Gray to her "girls only" sleepover. Gray delicately guides the conversation, asking if Dad ever feels "mixed up about who you are" or "different than the way you look." When neither question gets the answer Gray hoped for, the child takes the direct approach: "I look like a boy but sometimes I feel more like a girl." Gray continues to open up as Dad listens. Though the two adhere to beloved traditions--like enjoying soothing hot chocolate after their first skate of the year--the child feels empowered to make a big change: asking to go by a new name. Fontaine's gouache artwork sweetly homes in on key moments in this gentle, slice-of-life tale; close-ups on Gray's face capture the child's thoughts and emotions. The slow, methodical activity of building the ice rink provides an ideal framework for this difficult conversation. A welcome counterpoint to less-accepting masculine figures, Dad may not always know the right thing to say, but he's clearly a supportive presence who's trying his best. Both characters are pale-skinned and dark-haired. Warmly and quietly affirming; young queer readers will feel seen.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.