A raucous, rhyming homage to a child who uses they/them pronouns and their outrageous personality … Throughout author/illustrator Gray-Barnett’s latest picture book, Katerina’s gender is refreshingly presented without commentary. Instead, Katerina’s boisterous personality and larger-than-life antics are the center of the story … [Y]oung readers will be tickled by the kooky protagonist, rendered in scribbly, joyfully-colored illustrations.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Katerina read like a modern-day descendant of Sendak’s Rosie, also blessed with an outsized personality and flamboyant sense of style. The images were very dynamic; a two page-spread showing evidence of Katerina sowing chaos was especially fun … This celebratory story of a non-binary child in which that characteristic is not the sole focus of the book is refreshing and rare. Kids, families, and librarians looking for representation will enjoy this story.”
—Youth Services Book Review
‘Katerina’s wonderfully eccentric personality and theatricality shines through on every page where the kaleidoscopic illustrations help bring the whimsical nature of their character to life. What stands out about this book is the author’s choice to use non-binary pronouns for the main character, a rarity in children’s books. Because their identity is not a factor in the storyline, it represents the LGBTQIA+ community and instils inclusivity simply by celebrating people and their differences.’
—Fiona Buckley, Irish Examiner
“This book is as colorful and vibrant as its central character, with beautiful ink-and-crayon illustrations that practically burst off the page. Using charming rhyming text, it is an entertaining read-aloud that will be enjoyed by children ages 3 and up.”
—Angela Crocombe, Readings Kids
‘A rollicking and dynamic rhyming story.’
—Armadillo
“Combine Seuss-like rhymes with a dash of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, make the protagonist nonbinary, and you might come up with a book like Katerina Cruickshanks … Marvelous fun, with bright illustrations to match.”
—Mombian
“This book is glorious! Katerina Cruickshanks, pronouns they/their, is an adventure … This book is dedicated to everyone that has been told they are too much. It encourages the reader to be true to themselves regardless if that is in line with what others think you should be. Katerina is the unofficial spokesperson for living unapologetically. This book is written in rhyming verse and has a fun use of word choice that mimics Katerina’s eccentricities. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical.”
—@raisingalegacy
“Katerina is troublesome and exhausting, joyful and mischievous. Their gender remains casually indeterminate—they are too busy wearing astonishing hats and barking at the postman to be bothered with such pedestrian things. But much like Pippi, when Katerina's hijinks get a little too over-the-top, suddenly their annoyed friends aren't so interested in having them around anymore. A thoughtful, lovely, very, very fun and funny story about friendship and acceptance and being our best selves.”
—@noodlenutskids
2022-07-07
A raucous, rhyming homage to a child who uses they/them pronouns and their outrageous personality.
The titular Katerina is a light-skinned kid with dark pigtails that stick up straight like antennae. Throughout author/illustrator Gray-Barnett’s latest picture book, Katerina’s gender is refreshingly presented without commentary. Instead, Katerina’s boisterous personality and larger-than-life antics are the center of the story. Depicted alongside children of various skin tones, Katerina’s proclivities for “bark[ing] at the postman” and wearing “astonishing” hats are beloved by their many friends. Even those who are theatrically clobbered in the line of Katerina’s fire seem surprised rather than angry—until the mischievous child’s pranks go too far and everyone gets in trouble. Katerina is summarily ousted from their disgruntled group, and for a little while, “it’s all nice and quiet.” Predictably, the silence turns boring, and Katerina’s friends issue them a handwritten apology: “Life just isn’t the same without you.” Some young readers will be tickled by the kooky protagonist, rendered in scribbly, joyfully-colored illustrations, but many will tire of the sometimes-uneven rhyming and long-winded text. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Like the main character themself, this book will resonate with some but will grate on many. (Picture book. 4-6)
