The Bi Book

by A.J. Irving, Cynthia Alonso (Illustrator)

Overview

Perfect for fans of What Are Your Words? and Julián Is a Mermaid, The Bi Book shows readers the many meanings of "bi," both in terms of the language we use to understand the world and to understand ourselves.

Many words that start with ‘bi’ mean two.

Bicycle. Bilingual. Binoculars. Biracial.

Sometimes, it can mean more than two. Like when it comes to people who identify as 'bi.'

Because some hearts love in a rainbow of ways.

This sweet, bold picture book is a gentle introduction to bisexual identity, by way of many different words that share the root "bi," that will become a staple for LGBTQ+ readers, parents, and educators for years to come.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593571828
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

A.J. Irving grew up in Boise, Idaho, writing stories and daydreaming about becoming an author. Now, she writes picture books and poetry on her big back porch in Salt Lake City. As an author and former bookmobile librarian, A.J. is passionate about inspiring children to read.

Cynthia Alonso is an illustrator & graphic designer from Buenos Aires. She gets really into stories with a lot of passion and her images are full of life, tenderness, curiosity and vibrant colors. She combines her expertise in drawing, designing and illustrating in the making of fiction and nonfiction children's books. Based in Berlin since 2016, she works from her tiny studio on projects around the world.

Editorial Reviews

★ "A sweet, loving lesson in language and love, on a subject rarely covered." —Booklist, starred review

"Rewarding for the right reader—and empowering for all." —Kirkus Reviews

"[A] calming and tranquil picture book....this simple book shares complex ideas, teaches an important prefix, and engages young readers through lovely, approachable illustrations." —School Library Journal

"In this brief handling, the creators straightforwardly establish bisexuality as another part of a wide world full of words—and worthy of the same understanding." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2025-03-08
On a day at the beach, two children discover words that start with the prefixbi.

“Many words that start with ‘bi’ mean two,” Irving informs readers. The kids in Alonso’s illustrations watch a biennial plant grow, then ride bicycles with their grown-ups to the seaside. Legs outstretched, the youngsters proudly proclaim themselves to be bipeds, watch a whale through a pair of binoculars, and explore bivalve sea creatures and the concept of bilateral symmetry in butterflies. Other families at the beach introduce the termsbilingual andbiracial. Irving closes with abi word that “can mean ‘more than two’”:bisexuality, since “bi hearts love in a rainbow of ways.” Some of the concepts will be a bit abstract for young readers. A much-needed glossary goes into further detail and may allay some confusion; children and their adults will need to put in some work to understand these terms, but those interested in finding connections between words and concepts will be intrigued. The book’s soft, powdery illustrations rely heavily on the iconic pink, purple, and blue of the bi flag, particularly in the final spread, which shows silhouetted figures on the beach as the sun sets, with the phrase “Bi is beautiful” written in the sky. One of the children has dirty blond hair and pale skin, while the other has curly pigtails and light brown skin.

Potentially perplexing, though rewarding for the right reader—and empowering for all.(Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews