Hold that thought!

K-Gr 3--In an indigo night, an idea "bright with hope" wakes a child joyfully, in the sky blue bedroom they share with their brother, Otis. Finn, with tan skin and shoulder-length black hair, seven-ish, is not tied to a gender, just as the wonderful idea isn't tied to any particulars. Depicted as a spark of light, it is any inspiring thought to hold until it develops and gets buy-in--as it quickly does, expanding and multiplying when shared with Finn's group of friends who are of many races. Only freckled Otis resists, knocking the idea from Finn's hand and claiming that all ideas should look like his own. Finn retrieves the "cold, still" idea, overcoming self-doubts with his friends' help, until finally Otis changes his idea and contributes to the whole, so "there's no telling where this one would go." The writing is sensitive, and the messages of openness, sharing, and intellectual excitement are affirming. With figures delineated simply, the pencil-and-ink art is clear enough to share at read-alouds, but is wonderfully detailed close up, especially as the idea "takes wing" at the end: glowing colors intensify with the idea's acceptance. VERDICT Like Bree Galbraith's Usha and the Stolen Sun, text and illustrations celebrate youthful persistence and confidence despite obstacles, appealingly presented.--Patricia D. Lothrop, formerly St. George's Sch., Newport, RI

Finn awakens at night with "something rustling around inside their head." While Finn uses they/them pronouns, other children in the text are assigned gender-specific pronouns; the casual, intentional use of the nonbinary is welcome validation for many readers. But this concept book is not about gender--it is an exploration of how one person's seminal idea can blossom large and beautiful, especially when friends support and/or collaborate. The stylized line-and-color illustrations feature children of varied racial presentations, their expressive faces rendered with simple lines of ink. Finn, who has pale skin and black hair, shares a bedroom with similarly complexioned brother Oscar, sleepy-faced as Finn excitedly reveals their idea, which "slid to the top of their tongue and begged to be shared." The accessible text uses a captivating combination of words synonymous with thinking and imagery that makes an idea appear tangible. As Finn trots happily to school and begins discussing their idea with other students, the art shows its expansion with bright, sunny colors, swirling patterns, and shapes suggesting positive feelings. Frowning, freckle-faced Otis, a White boy, insists Finn's idea is weird and that only his gray, rocklike idea is valid. Finn rallies after a moment of self-doubt and then invites all the children to contribute. Will Otis come around? What is this exciting, burgeoning idea? On the final page, vibrant, colorful artwork eases the tension introduced by the text's open-endedness. Immediate discussion is demanded. Unique, playful, provocative. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.