Love, Violet

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Love, Violet
Love, Violet (2021 picture book).jpg
AuthorCharlotte Sullivan Wild
IllustratorCharlene Chua
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenrePicture book
PublisherFarrar, Straus and Giroux an Imprint of Macmillian
Publication date
November 16, 2021
Pages40
ISBN978-0-374-31372-2

Love, Violet is a children's picture book written by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and illustrated by Charlene Chua. It tells the love story of a girl named Violet, who is too shy to say how she feels to her classmate, Mira. The book was published on November 16, 2021, by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Background[]

Charlotte Sullivan Wild grew up in a religious setting in which being queer was seen as a negative, which lead to her coming out only later in life, as an adult. In addition, most fairy tales she knew as a kid were heteronormative.[1] These experiences served as inspiration to create a book for children that embraced love between queer people and people of color.[2]

Another aspect from Sullivan Wild's life introduced into the narrative was the lack of a specific label for the girls of the book, which reflects how the author saw herself when she first came out.[3]

During the production of Love, Violet, Chua consulted the art director responsible for the book and they decided to present Violet as white due to her personal connection to Sullivan Wild. While Violet and Mira initially had a more feminine design due to Chua's experience as a student in an all-girls school, Violet's design was slightly altered later on to be more butch.[2]

Reception[]

Kirkus Reviews praised Sullivan Wild's writing and Chua's illustrations, noting the two elements captured the emotions felt by the characters, and were able to convey the action and movement of the story. They called the story a "gentle, child-friendly romance" and "a perfect celebration of courage and queerness".[4] Publishers Weekly's reviewer called the picture book a "uplifting wintry tale", and wrote positively about the art.[5] Both Kirkus and PW gave the book starred reviews.[4][5]

Reviewing for the School Library Journal, Amy Fellows wrote about how "[a] soothing color palette enhances the story's quiet and lighthearted tone". Fellows also commented on the various depiction of emotions by characters in the background as a learning opportunity for young readers. Fellows concluded by noting Love, Violet "fills an important need for non-heteronormative representation" among picture books.[6]

Love, Violet was nominated for the 34th Lambda Literary Awards in the Children's/Middle Grade category.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Kirichanskaya, Michele (11 March 2022). "Love, Violet Interview with Charlotte Sullivan Wild & Charlene Chua". Geeks OUT. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Sanchez, Kaitlyn Leann (November 6, 2021). "Author and Illustrator Interview and Giveaway with Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua about their picture book Love, Violet". Math is Everywhere. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  3. ^ "Interview with Charlotte Sullivan Wild, Author of "Love, Violet"". Pride and Less Prejudice. February 14, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "Love, Violet". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Love, Violet". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  6. ^ Fellows, Amy (January 2022). "Holiday Roundup". School Library Journal. 68 (1): 54.
  7. ^ Warnock, Kathleen (March 16, 2022). "Lammy Nods Highlight Top LGBTQ Books". Gay City News. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
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