Katerina Cruickshanks

Daniel Gray-Barnett

‘This book is as colourful and vibrant as its central character, with beautiful ink-and-crayon illustrations that practically burst off the page. Using charming rhyming text, it is an entertaining read-aloud that will be enjoyed by children ages 3 and up.’

Angela Crocombe, Readings Kids

‘A rollicking and dynamic rhyming story.’

Armadillo

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‘A raucous, rhyming homage to a child who uses they/them pronouns and their outrageous personality … Throughout author/illustrator Gray-Barnett’s latest picture book, Katerina’s gender is refreshingly presented without commentary. Instead, Katerina’s boisterous personality and larger-than-life antics are the centre of the story … [Y]oung readers will be tickled by the kooky protagonist, rendered in scribbly, joyfully-coloured illustrations.’

Kirkus Reviews

‘Katerina read like a modern-day descendant of Sendak’s Rosie, also blessed with an outsized personality and flamboyant sense of style. The images were very dynamic; a two page-spread showing evidence of Katerina sowing chaos was especially fun … This celebratory story of a non-binary child in which that characteristic is not the sole focus of the book is refreshing and rare. Kids, families, and librarians looking for representation will enjoy this story.’

Youth Services Book Review

‘This book is glorious! Katerina Cruickshanks, pronouns they/their, is an adventure….This book is dedicated to everyone that has been told they are too much. It encourages the reader to be true to themselves regardless if that is in line with what others think you should be. Katerina is the unofficial spokesperson for living unapologetically. This book is written in rhyming verse and has a fun use of word choice that mimics Katerina’s eccentricities. The illustrations are colourful and whimsical.’

@raisingalegacy

‘Katerina’s wonderfully eccentric personality and theatricality shines through on every page where the kaleidoscopic illustrations help bring the whimsical nature of their character to life. What stands out about this book is the author’s choice to use non-binary pronouns for the main character, a rarity in children’s books. Because their identity is not a factor in the storyline, it represents the LGBTQIA+ community and instils inclusivity simply by celebrating people and their differences.’

Fiona Buckley, Irish Examiner

A joy-filled cheer of appreciation for loud, trouble-making, outrageous kids.

Katerina Cruickshanks is a wild child, a trickster, and a ringleader. But when they wreak some serious chaos, their friends decide their shenanigans have gone too far and say, ‘No more!’

Brimming with humour and warmth, Katerina shows us that there’s no such thing as being too much; it’s just a matter of finding the friends who will love you as you are.

Angela Crocombe, Readings Kids

‘A rollicking and dynamic rhyming story.’

Armadillo

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Kirkus Reviews

Youth Services Book Review

@raisingalegacy

Details

Format:Hardback

Size: 270mm × 230mm

Extent:32pp with with colour images throughout

ISBN (13):9781914484339

RRP:£12.99

Pub date:14 Jul 2022

High-res cover:Download Image

AWARDS

2023 ABDA Award for Best Designed Children’s Picture Book - Long-listed 2023 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award for Age Category: 3 to 5 - Short-listed

CATEGORIES / tags

AUTHOR

Daniel Gray-Barnett

Daniel Gray-Barnett is an illustrator and author from the Huon Valley in Lutruwita/Tasmania. He likes to think of himself as someone who was put on this planet to tell a few stories before he turns into a grumpy old man. He’s worked with clients including Disney, Kiehl’s, Sydney Opera House, and The New York Times. His first picture book, Grandma Z, won a Children’s Book Council of Australia award for Best New Illustrator. When he’s not in the studio, he can be found daydreaming in the garden with his son and husband, German pointers, and chickens.