Love Around the World

November 22, 2019

Gr 2-4-In 2017, artist and activist Pierets and her partner Julian Bloom launched "22-the Project," their plan to wed in every country that had legalized same-sex marriage. Their performance art project was cut short after their fourth wedding, in France, when Bloom died of brain cancer. With this picture book, Pierets brings to life the journey she and Bloom envisioned. Ramos's joyous, vibrant graphic-style illustrations depict the brides wearing the traditional wedding attire of Iceland, Canada, Mexico, and 10 other countries, set against iconic backgrounds. Pierets discusses the history and current status of gay marriage, and marriage traditions in general, worldwide. The author intends to follow this title with a series of books about the round-the-world marriage journey as a loving gesture and a way of completing their plans. VERDICT The book's blend of wish fulfillment and information about gay marriage rights may confuse some readers and cataloguers, but it tells a touching love story, with a noteworthy global perspective.-Elaine Fultz, Oakwood City Schools, Dayton

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A real-life LGBTQ love story inspired this picture book. When Fleur and Julian fall in love and decide to get married, they discover that because they are both women, this is possible in only 28 of the world's 195 countries. They decide to travel around the world to celebrate their nuptials in each of these nations, starting with Julian's native Netherlands. Each subsequent spread depicts the women in different countries that sanction and affirm their union: the U.S., Brazil, Australia, France, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, Canada, Spain, Iceland, Finland, and Mexico. Each spread shows Fleur and Julian joyfully celebrating in festive settings, often with other couples around them. The art has a graphic, flat quality that makes the most of the rainbow palette in scenes that could translate to postcard or poster images, and the text highlighting fairness, safety, and pride helps make the adult institution of marriage accessible to young readers. While the concluding scene leaves readers on a hopeful note, with the happy couple determined to travel to the other 15 countries, the backmatter shows a photograph of the real couple and reveals that Julian died of brain cancer shortly after they began their wedding tour around the world. This book realizes their dream. Moving and inspiring. (Picture book. 4-8)

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