A quick & easy guide to queer & trans identities

In this slim volume, the creators have compiled an informative, funny, and nuanced guide to LGBTQ+ identities, full of eye-catching (if sometimes busy) illustrations. This guide is perfect for those trying to understand how they might identify, and it will also be very instructive for those trying to learn how to be more responsible, well-informed allies. Through a series of comics and educational asides, the creators offer readers the opportunity to become familiar with commonly understood (gay, lesbian, trans, queer) identities, as well as not-as-commonly recognized terminology (bi, ace, demi). The somewhat trippy artwork rendered in shades of warm reds and pinks with splashes of purple, as well as sections in cool blues and greens helpfully illustrates various learning opportunities, with the reader being guided through the components of the book by anthropomorphic snails who provide definitions, explain complicated concepts, and generally bring needed humor to what could otherwise be a very dense primer. Not your typical sex-ed text, this compact resource will help a wide variety of readers better understand the vast landscape of emerging gender and sexual identities.--Rob Bittner Copyright 2019 Booklist

This nonfiction graphic novel by #OwnVoices collaborators Mady G. and Zuckerberg packs a lot of useful information into a slim volume. Iggy, a snail, imparts terminology, concepts, and advice to other snails observing a campfire gathering of queer humans. Iggy begins by helpfully answering "What is queer?" and then considers topics such as gender identity and expression, dysphoria, and asexuality. The authors, through Iggy, make clear that gender identity and sexual preference can have vastly differing meanings and expressions. Two final chapters-on relationship basics and coming out-offer useful, reassuring guidelines centered on what individuals find comfortable and safe. The cartoony snails and humans are depicted in pastel pinks and purples, while brief interstitials follow cool-colored "sproutlings," friendly plant/animal beings whose forms and identities vary widely. An introduction notes that "these identities and labels are meant to serve the individual rather than purely classify them"; with this compact volume, the creators serve readers well, including those exploring gender identity and those who love them. Ages 13-up. (Apr.)â-  © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 9 Up-The latest in the "Quick & Easy" series of educational comics (A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns) explains queer and trans identities. A rout of snails observe a group of queer, racially diverse humans gathered around a campfire. Iggy, a snail who belongs to one of the humans, takes a cue from their queer educator "dad" and schools the other snails on queerness, gender expression, dysphoria, asexuality, coming out, and even relationship basics. Iggy defines terms, offers helpful historical context, and dispels misconceptions. A discussion of the word queer follows the term's origins as an insult to its present-day reclamation as an umbrella term for LGBTQIA+ identities. The bubble gum palette matches perfectly the light, infectiously enthusiastic tone. The choice to use snails as narrators is whimsical and oddly appropriate (some snails are hermaphrodites). However, it also distances the human characters from readers. Those who do occasionally appear function almost as exhibits to add context to a point. Scenes involving fantastical creatures called Sproutlings feel random and unnecessary-but certainly on-brand. Though the book is slim, it effectively covers a broad swath of identities and topics. Activity pages and a resource guide are appended. VERDICT Accessible to readers at all levels of familiarity with LGBTQIA+ topics, this is a first purchase for libraries serving teens and adults.-Alec Chunn, Eugene Public Library, OR © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.