Review by Booklist Review
Flexing his muscles and sporting a rainbow mohawk on the book's cover, Kearney, the world's first openly gay strongman, is sure to pique the interest of readers curious about how he became strong enough to pull fire trucks, lift a refrigerator, and hoist heavy logs. This biographical picture book details the way the author went from a strong kid to an athletic teen whose strength came in handy as a quarterback, cheerleader, and weight lifter to a noted adult athlete. Kids will like that he thought of himself as a superhero when he met his weight goals and how his introduction to strongman competitions appealed to his need to push himself. Attracted to bright clothes when not competing, he dressed drably at contests, but once he met another weight lifter at training, he fell in love and began to find the inner strength to be himself. This happy, bright book helps break LGBTQ+ stereotypes and makes for a celebratory read during Pride Month--and all year long.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Growing up, Rob Kearney loved feeling strong: "He lifted HEAVY boxes, opened the TIGHTEST pickle jars, and always brought the groceries into the house in one trip." As he matures, he plays football, cheerleads, and weightlifts until, at 17, he learns about strongman competitions. Interested in becoming a weightlifting champion, Kearney trains until he can lift 400 pounds ("That's more than 114 BIRTHDAY CAKES WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING AND CONFETTI SPRINKLES!"). He even skips wearing vibrantly hued clothes, adhering to the cliché around masculinity that "strongmen do not wear bright, bold colors." But in chatting with now-husband Joey, Kearney learns that expressing himself authentically is what makes him strong. Authors Kearney and Rosswood develop this picture book memoir about the world's first openly gay strongman using emphatic text, while Chanani's vivid hues emphasize Kearney's bold aesthetic, and depict his 2017 North American Strongest Man Championship donning his iconic rainbow mohawk. Back matter includes a letter from Kearney, further reading, and information about strongman competitions. Ages 4--8. (May)
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Review by Horn Book Review
In a conversational third-person text, "professional strongman" Kearney shares his path from strong kid who excelled at strength-based sports (football, cheerleading, weightlifting) to adult strongman champion. But this story's true focus is about embracing who you are and celebrating self-expression. Before he was "the first and only openly gay strongman in the world," Kearney kept his "bright, bold" style private. When he falls in love with fellow weightlifter Joey, he's emboldened to forego lifters' typical "boring colors" and instead sports colorful clothes and a rainbow Mohawk. Chanani's cheerful illustrations help reinforce Kearney's message, summed up in his author's note: "There is nothing that shows more strength than being who you truly are." More information about the Strongman competition is appended, as is a list of related websites and books. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The first openly gay strongman overhauls stereotypes. Whether opening "the TIGHTEST pickle jars" or carrying many packed grocery bags into the house all at once, Rob Kearney is a strong kid. As he grows up, he finds his calling in strength sports. A teacher introduces 17-year-old Rob to the Strongman competition, kindling his dream of becoming a weightlifting champion. First, he trains to lift 150 pounds, then 200, then 300, then 400--the equivalent of "more than 800 STUFFED RAINBOW UNICORNS." Despite all of his training, Rob flounders at his first big competition since he doesn't feel quite right in his "boring" and "bleak" weightlifting gear. That changes when Rob falls in love with Joey, who pushes Rob to wear whatever "bright, bold colors" he wants. But can Rob win the title of "strongest person in North America?" Real-life strongman Kearney and LGBTQ+ parenting expert Rosswood team up to create this positive, affirming picture-book memoir. Although one scene depicts an instance of dress code discrimination, the story maintains a sunny tone. Certain words are bolded throughout the text for emphasis, particularly those related to Rob's impressive feats. Rob and Joey are both White and have mohawks, but Chanani's colorful digital illustrations depict ethnically diverse spectators. Backmatter delves more deeply into strongman events and--staying within the gender binary--mentions the existence of "a separate strongwoman division." (This book was reviewed digitally.) A bright, bold picture-book biography that challenges conceptions of masculinity and strength. (author's note, bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
