Friday, April 17, 2020

Max and the Talent Show by Kyle Lukoff - OPTIONAL

Max and the Talent Show by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Luciano Lozano PICTURE BOOK Reycraft Books, 2019, $9. 9781478868903

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Max and Steven are great friends. Steven likes to make up and act out stories, and Max helps him - Steven gives Max costumes and he dresses up, too. But Max won't wear dresses (he used to, but he doesn't anymore - Max is transgender). The school talent show is coming up and Steven is first in line to sign up - Steven loves being the center of attention. Max doesn't, but offers to be Steven's assistant. Steven and his mom shop for the perfect dress, shoes, tiara and cape for Steven, but when it comes time to perform, Steven has no idea what to do - good thing his assistant Max is there to whisper "Tell them a Story!"

I loved how supportive Max was, and how Steven is so comfortable about himself - even when the people in the stores were reluctant to let him try on dresses and pretty shoes, Steven was right there with a story. What I didn't like was that Steven's mom was right there, with all the shopping, all the getting ready to make sure he had the perfect outfit, but that she let Steven get all the way onstage without an act! Ugh, I don't like the message that as long as you look great everything else will come together. Steven is a great storyteller, but a rehearsal or two would have only made things better.

Lisa Librarian

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