Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude

Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude. Jonah Winter. Illus. by Calef Brown. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009. 36 pages. $16.99 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-1-4169-4088-3. Grades PreK-3.

My Thoughts…

I adored this book, but then again I also adore Gertrude Stein. This is not relevant, but I just saw Midnight in Paris and loved Kathy Bates’ portrayal of her, and if you are reading this and have not seen this film you should. Right now. Stop reading and go.  Seriously though…

During my undergraduate studies in English I learned quite a bit about Gertrude Stein, so I instantly loved this book when I read the title and I understood the importance of the writing style, the guest appearances of famous artists and writers, and the bright illustrations. At first I thought that maybe this book would be a little two abstract for the younger end of the target audience, but then I read the line “A picture is a picture. It can be whatever it wants to be.” I think the same can be said for a picture book. I may read this and see an imitation of writing style, a heralding of modernity, a salute to nontraditional lifestyles and art; but a smaller child could just see this book as fun, repetitive, and brightly colored. The author’s note at the end of the story definitely helps make connections between the illustrations and the text and the subject in general, but I think small children may like the story for the story itself, while an older reader may appreciate this book for a work of art. I loved looking at the illustration, especially of the people and trying to figure out whom each one was supposed to be. I think this would be fun for kids too, especially if they were introduced to some of the famous authors and artists mentioned or known to associate with Ms. Stein. I think the text of this book is great, lively and active, just like the life of its subject. I think readers will love to see the different emphasis placed on words in the sentences, the different shaped and laid out text, etc. I think most of all I love how this books teaches you are who you are and can be what you want to be. I also love that you can create what you want to create and it will be what it is or what you want it to be. I think kids need a book that encourages creativity and self, and this book does so in a non-preachy, non-stereotypical way.

I also loved how everything seems so random in this book, like the cow, and the fruit for the picnic, and the bear in the chair. I found it fun and it even made me giggle, and I think that the target audience will feel the same way. I mean this book could confuse kids, but that is when they can make it their own story. I hope the text encourages them to do so too, and not confuses them to a point of stopping.  I definitely thing this book is a fantastic addition to any collection and a great LGBTQ title.