Together: A First Conversation About Love (First Conversations)

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