Robin's Worlds

by Rainie Oet, Mathias Ball (Illustrator)

Overview

A nonbinary child is whisked off on a spellbinding adventure for their birthday in this dazzling tale of friendship, community, and self-love.

It’s Robin’s eighth birthday and it seems like everyone has forgotten. But things take a sudden turn when the Cat-Headed Wanderer shows up and sweeps Robin away to a magical party in a fantastical treehouse. It’s a joyful celebration full of song, dance, and newfound friends, but Robin soon realizes there’s another reason they’ve been brought there. To uncover that reason, all Robin needs to do is walk through the half-open door in the back—but what lies beyond?

Rainie Oet’s enchanting language and Mathias Ball’s stunning illustrations will sweep young readers off their feet, as they follow Robin on this fantastical and deeply moving adventure of discovering themself through the joy of new friends and the memory of loved ones lost along the way.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781662620034
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	12/03/2024
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Rainie Oet is a trans woman who writes fiction and poetry for adults and young readers. She is the author of the middle grade novel-in-verse Glitch Girl! (Kokila), as well as the picture books Robin’s Worlds and the forthcoming Monster Seek (Astra). She received her MFA in Poetry from Syracuse University, where she was awarded the Shirley Jackson Prize in Fiction. Visit rainieoet.com.

Mathias Ball is a trans-identified illustrator from the coast of Lake Huron, Canada. They are a graduate of the illustration program at Sheridan College. Visit mathiasball.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Lengthy, affecting narration from Oet, making her picture book debut, explores layers of grief and joy, while vibrant hues and detailed character designs from Ball...breathe life into each dreamlike scene as the evening tenderly paves the way for a solitary child to find connection in the real world." —Publishers Weekly

"A child dreams of friendship...Ball’s swirling comic images set an enchanting tone." —Kirkus Reviews

"Families come in all sizes and shapes, warmly shown here; this book is recommended for libraries to add any shelves on ever-expanding inclusivity." —School Library Journal

"This book is for the non-binary kids. The kids who have lost someone they love and feel alone. The kids who can forget that there are others who love them, and more people out in the world waiting to get the chance to love them... The illustrations of the creatures are beautiful and fantastical... It’s a love letter to those needing a reminder that they are loved... I would strongly advocate for any and everyone to give this picture book a read." —Makayla Hicks, Assistant Children's Supervisor, Framingham Public Library, Youth Services Book Review

From the Publisher

2024-08-30
A child dreams of friendship.

Robin, a nonbinary kid who lives with their uncle Miles, sits alone in the basement, bored and lonely, as they do every night. Suddenly, a “tall figure in a thundery coat” enters: the Cat-Headed Wanderer. The dapper, anthropomorphic feline whisks Robin to a magical purple treehouse filled with mystical characters from Robin’s dreams. Everyone has come together to celebrate Robin’s birthday. Elated, the child feels “like their body is made of feathers or flowers all opening at once.” When Robin announces their plans to stay here forever, the Cat-Headed Wanderer interjects: “Actually, this is just for tonight. But we exist in the real world. There are so many of us…You just have to find us.” Abruptly, the party ends, and Robin returns home; soon after, Uncle Miles walks in with a birthday cake. Robin falls asleep that night, happy and hopeful for “friends just waiting to be found.” Ball’s swirling comic images set an enchanting tone but do little to make up for the awkward flow of the story. And while it’s heartening to see a nonbinary child centered in a picture book, Oet’s sudden transitions and piecemeal revelations are likely to leave readers confused rather than uplifted. Midway through the party, for instance, Robin is presented with old photos of them with their mother and father, but it’s never clear where their parents are now or why Robin is so lonely. Human characters are tan-skinned.

An uneven plot leaves this tale without much sparkle.(Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews