Brilliantly insightful, extraordinarily charming… Subtle and yet spot on.
Georgina George introduces a manatee protagonist who endears herself to readers right from the get-go in this charming exploration of gender identity, diversity, and tolerance. Mia is as adventurous as one young manatee could ever get. As she sets on her journey to meet new people and make some friends, she meets a pregnant male seahorse, two female co-parenting albatrosses, and a clownfish who uses they/them pronouns along the way and learns that the things that make each of us unique are beautiful. The tone remains pleasant with just the right tinge of adventure, curiosity, and anticipation mixed in, and George adeptly blends useful commentary about same-sex relationships, gender identity, diversity, and acceptance into Mia’s adventurous journey. The rhyming text propels the story forward, and Karlina Vivi’s super cute illustrations in eye-popping colors are more than decoration. This is an ideal read to introduce young children to topics of same-sex relationships and gender identity. Vibrant drawings, accessible text, and lighthearted tone put this tale right on top.
Note: this title is free on Kindle Unlimited.
Mia the Manatee
By Georgina George (Author), Karlina Vivi (Illustrator)
Pub date January 29, 2021
ISBN 979-8702080338
Price $7.99 (USD) Paperback, $5.09 Kindle edition