Instead of presenting a picture book with an LGBTQ+ theme or characters, I thought I would take the opportunity to review a brand new holiday picture book by an LGBTQ+ author. So, in honor of this festive season, I present Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, published by Levine Querido.
Inspired by the real events of December 1993 in Billings, Montana, Red and Green and Blue and White tells the story of a town getting ready to celebrate the holidays. The book opens, “On a block dressed up in Red and Green, one house shone Blue and White.”
Isaac and his family are getting ready for Chanukah, and Isaac’s best friend, Teresa, and her family are organizing for Christmas. While their holidays are different, both children throw themselves into their preparations and share a love for this time of year. I definitely agree with them – you can never have too many sprinkles on your cookie!
One night, persons unknown throw a rock through the window of Isaac’s house smashing their menorah. Refusing to let her friend and his family stand alone against such prejudice, Teresa puts a drawing of a menorah in her window the next night. The support spreads from there. Eventually, the entire town puts drawings of menorahs in their windows to show that their community will be defined by love and not hate. Differences are to be embraced. This story makes a great jumping off point for a discussion about discrimination and tolerance.
Lee Wind’s words convey the deep emotions of this story – the joy of celebration, the fear of bigotry, and the pride of community standing together. Caldecott Medal winner, Paul Zelinsky’s beautiful art captures the essence of holiday lights. The cover art, with its image seen as through a broken window, especially, drew me in. For most of my life, my window has been the only blue and white menorah light shining on a street of red and green. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to have what happened to Isaac’s family happen to mine.
Today, we are living in very divisive times. People seem to argue about everything. This is exactly the kind of book our children and we need. As history has shown us, just like in Billings, when we stand together in love and support, hatred cannot survive.
As the story closes,
“Christmas tree and Menorah light
Red and Green and Blue and White
Stronger together
Shining bright!”
Wishing all of you a season of light, love, peace, and community. Happy holidays!
Marti Johns 