I Love My Colorful Nails (Egalité)

by Alicia Acosta (Author)

I Love My Colorful Nails (Egalité)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Egalité

This is a story inspired by true events.

Ben is a little boy, and he likes painting his nails. There's no big reason to it, he just loves all the amazing colors on the tips of his fingers. Until one day, some of his schoolmates start laughing at him because of it. He suddenly feels sad, helpless, and doesn't want to paint his nails anymore. Even when his father starts painting his nails to support Ben, the helplessness doesn't go away.

Why can't boys paint their nails? A tale to understand that a kid's joy has no boundaries.

A simple story about a small revolution.

"Coauthors Acosta (Little Captain Jack) and Amavisca (Bang Bang I Hurt the Moon) keep their focus tight, concentrating on Ben's feelings and the way the boys' taunting torments him ("He felt even sadder than the day his fish went to fish heaven"). Loose-lined drawings with gently tinted wash by Gusti (Mallko and Dad) underscore the intimacy and loyalty of Ben's family." ~Publishers Weekly

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Publishers Weekly

Ben loves to paint his nails for many reasons. He likes the brilliant colors ("Pistachio and orange! A match made in heaven!" he and his friend Margarita exclaim), and the polish makes his fingers feel both familiar and strange ("He likes picking things up just to look at his hands"). But when some boys at school start in with gendered jeering ("Ben is a girly girl!"), Ben quietly stops painting his nails on school days, even after his dad paints his own in solidarity. On his birthday, Ben enters his classroom and receives a dazzling surprise. Coauthors Acosta (Little Captain Jack) and Amavisca (Bang Bang I Hurt the Moon) keep their focus tight, concentrating on Ben's feelings and the way the boys' taunting torments him ("He felt even sadder than the day his fish went to fishy heaven"). Loose-lined drawings with gently tinted wash by Gusti (Mallko and Dad) underscore the intimacy and loyalty of Ben's family. This isn't a story in which the bullied child takes things into his own hands; instead, Ben's class helps him to realize that the bullies' scorn doesn't represent everyone's feelings. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2--This picture book import from Spanish authors Acosta and Amavisca and Argentinian illustrator Dawlatly tells the story of Ben, a boy who likes to wear nail polish. Red-haired, tan-skinned Ben paints his nails with his mother and his friend Margarita. When boys at school tease Ben and call him a girl, he becomes sad and withdrawn and stops wearing nail polish to school. He confides in his parents, and his dad normalizes the practice by wearing his own nail polish, including when he picks up Ben from school. The story resolves on Ben's birthday, when all of his classmates paint their nails as a special treat. Although the teasing is gender-based, the tale does not focus on gender identity but rather on Ben's love of colorful nails, his deep hurt and sadness from the bullying, and the unconditional love and support of his family and friends. The translation is smooth and the writing clear and straightforward. Children will understand the narrative easily and empathize with Ben. Gusti's watercolors are loose and flowing, similar to those of Chris Raschka. The bright nails stand out from the earth tones of the characters' skin, hair, and clothing. The love between the family is depicted through physical contact, and Ben's smile and rosy cheeks light up the final page, as he flaunts his blue polish while wearing a birthday hat. VERDICT An endearing picture book about bullying, identity, and family.--Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

The translation is smooth and the writing clear and straightforward. Children will understand the narrative easily and empathize with Ben. Gusti's watercolors are loose and flowing, similar to those of Chris Raschka. The bright nails stand out from the earth tones of the characters' skin, hair, and clothing. The love between the family is depicted through physical contact, and Ben's smile and rosy cheeks light up the final page, as he flaunts his blue polish while wearing a birthday hat. School Library Journal—School Library Journal
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9788417123598
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Nubeocho
Publication date
April 20, 2019
Series
Egalité
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV013060 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Parents
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Emotions
Father and child
Bullying
Social acceptance

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