Not Yet a Yeti
by Lou Treleaven
illustrated by Tony Neal
Date: 2019
Publisher: Maverick Arts
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library
Everyone in George's family is a yeti--everyone except George. When he asks why he is not yet a yeti, each family member tells George that he needs to be bigger, scarier, and more ferocious! But George might want to be something else instead.
(synopsis from Goodreads)
While the overall message about being yourself is fine, Not Yet a Yeti oversimplifies things to the point of being unhelpful.
George was born into a yeti family. But he's not yet a yeti. In fact, when it comes right down to it, George doesn't want to be a yeti. He doesn't want to scare hikers, let alone eat them. He'd rather be something else. And so that's what he does.
The inclusion of the rainbow further hints that this book is a metaphor for LGBT+ issues. Unfortunately, George's family is pretty unrealistic in their acceptance of his desire to be something else. (We're not even talking here about sexuality or gender. George identifies as a different species altogether!) While showing a supportive family is nice, it's not going to help kids whose families aren't as accepting. George really didn't have to overcome anything; he just had to be himself and, while that should be enough, it isn't always.
If I were going to give this book to kids who were dealing with sexuality or gender issues of their own, I'd want to make sure they had a good support system in place. Otherwise, a book like this might be like rubbing salt into a wound.
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 2/5
Overall: 2.5 out of 5
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