Together A first conversation about love

PreS-Gr 1--"Everyone is born ready to love and be loved." This straightforward explanation, geared toward the youngest readers, of the types of love people have for each other tackles one big idea per spread: "Love is … an action--something we can do. When we love someone, we can say it and show it." Accompanying questions solicit conversation: "How do you show love? How do people show you love?" While all types of love (self, things, family, friends, romantic) are discussed, close attention is paid to LGBTQIA+ relationships. Simple explanations of what it means to be gay, lesbian, queer, and straight are accompanied by spare, colorful illustrations. Relationships and families of all varieties are represented, and the characters depicted cover a wide variety of colors, abilities, and gender presentations. Back matter provides support for adults reading to children, covering a range of issues from "When Love Is Hard" to "Heteronormativity & Resistance," "Healthy Sexual Development," and "Building a Loving World." VERDICT A must for the shelves. Todd Parr in tone, but with more in-depth examination, this comprehensive and age-appropriate discussion about love for the youngest children, provides opportunities for important conversations between children and their caregivers.--Jennifer Noonan

Children are "born ready to love," but that doesn't mean the concept isn't complicated! Wisely starting with the most intimate first relationship--a cozy newborn being cuddled by a caregiver--the authors of this inclusive book scaffold outward to more complicated relationships. Love of pets, people, and pizza are described dynamically, and constant open-ended questions like "who do you love?" invite readers to tie it back to their own lives. Branching into romantic love, the authors name examples of adult relationships, with special attention paid to the oft-glossed-over LGBTQ+ community. Tonally, the frank, unflowery text works especially well here, with enough information to be clear without overwhelming. The book doesn't shy away from depicting love as challenging--one page portrays children fighting over toys. This is also the rare book that acknowledges that some children lack love and family. The text briefly but poignantly notes that "people in power have made unfair rules about who can love each other and who can be a family." But by closing with an actionable ministory about a community that changes a Father's Day event to an inclusive family day, Madison and Ralli remind readers that "we're building that world together." Joy and inclusion abound in digital illustrations, with a raucous wedding attended by people of various ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Comprehensive backmatter can facilitate deeper discussions. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Many caregivers will appreciate this concise, useful, and ultimately hopeful conversation starter. (Board book. 2-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.