The Big Day receives delightful, large, colorful illustrations by Forrest Burdell as it explores a magical wedding between two men. Magic is embedded in a special way which is captured via rollicking, image-laden rhymes of wonder: “One carried a bouquet of fresh morning dew/because he had heard he should have something new./The other held sky that bright stars wandered through./He said this was something old, borrowed/and blue.” With its engaging descriptions and colorful, celebratory tone, The Big Day is a top recommendation for libraries strong in inclusive descriptions of gay marriage and love for picture book readers. —Midwest Book Review
When a young human narrator is invited to the wedding of two giants, “I fashioned a pen from/ the trunk of a tree// and used it to write a/ HUGE RSVP.” At the ceremony, attended by arrayed creatures of lore, one of the grooms “carried a bouquet of fresh morning dew” and the other “held sky that bright stars wandered through” ahead of saying their vows before an elven-eared officiant. The joyous, treat-filled reception at last reveals why the human was invited: “We’re sending you back with a message for all: Love is just love, whether GIANT or small.” Plummer’s rhyming text follows a comforting cadence across traditional wedding beats, while Burdett’s vivid, saturated art showcases memorable character designs in this celebratory title. Characters are portrayed with various skin tones, some fantastical. Ages 3–7. (Apr.) –Publishers Weekly
Come one, come all, to the biggest ceremony of the year!
A child receives an invitation to the wedding of two male giants. Surrounded by witches, wizards, goblins, and other fantastical creatures, the protagonist takes a seat in the church and witnesses the grooms’ declaration of love. After dining on confections such as “creamy rainbow root soup” and “pickled dragon’s breath with pink lotus fries” and listening to a litany of speeches at the reception, the child pipes up: “Why was I invited? Was it a mistake?” One of the grooms charges the child with sending back “a message for all: / Love is just love, whether GIANT or small.” Plummer’s first-person text features an AABB rhyme structure that, at times, feels forced (“The other held sky that bright stars wandered through. / He said this was something old, borrowed, and blue”). With their dark blue and purple palette, the illustrations capture the energy of the blessed event and the joy on the faces of the attendees. Unfortunately, the text is set against similarly colored backdrops, occasionally making it difficult to read. Still, the mood is festive, and though the takeaway is simple, it’s affirming. The young protagonist is brown-skinned, one of the giants is pale-skinned and pointy-eared with a bushy red beard, and the other giant is tan-skinned and dark-haired. The wedding guests are diverse in skin tone.
A sweet look at love and commitment. (Picture book. 4-7)–Kirkus Reviews
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