Reviews
* STARRED REVIEW
The book’s text is action-packed and heartfelt, capturing the juddering rhythms of Violet’s nervousness, and the watercolor illustrations are suffused with emotion, detail, and movement. The gentle, child-friendly romance at the heart of the story is a perfect celebration of courage and queerness, and earnest, awkward Violet is a protagonist every reader will root for. […] A sweetly empathetic, child-friendly girl-girl romance.
~ Kirkus Reviews
* STARRED REVIEW
Valentine’s Day brings a shy child named Violet the chance to connect with her crush, Mira, in Sullivan Wild’s uplifting wintry tale. […] For Valentine’s, though, Violet resolves to share her feelings, signing her DIY card to Mira, “Love, Violet,” but upon seeing Mira, resplendent in the snow, Violet is overcome with insecurity. Despair sets in, until Violet considers the possibility that Mira might reciprocate her feelings, and a race through the snow—choreographically captured with dancelike grace in Chua’s simple, light-filled watercolors—brings the duo together at last, making the holiday one of joyful acceptance. Ages 4–8.
~ Publisher’s Weekly, Featured Reviews
“This sensitive picture book about first friendship and first crushes, […] offer[s] opportunities for conversation around social-emotional learning. […] Mira’s warm response when Violet finally delivers her valentine is touching, and sends a reassuring message about being true to one’s feelings. […]
VERDICT: This book fills an important need for non-heteronormative representation in picture book collections“
~ School Library Journal, Amy Fellows
“The sensitive third-person narrative details Violet’s thoughts and emotions throughout the story and reveals Mira’s in the happy ending. Capturing the girls’ distinct personalities, the illustrations glow with warm, delicate colors […]. An appealing picture book for reading aloud, particularly in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day.”
~ Booklist
“[My daughter] has already picked her favorite book of the year — Love, Violet — which means we are […] making valentines far before Valentine’s Day […] in late November […]. A small price to pay for reading such a charming book and the first picture book featuring an F/F crush! […] It is completely enchanting and […] Charlene Chua’s illustrations are just as sweet and endearing as the story. This is a must-read!”
~ Margaret Kingsbury, Book Riot
“15 Must-Read January Children’s Book Releases,” 5 Jan. 2022
“This heartwarming story will be relatable to ANYONE who recalls the feeling of crushing hard on someone in elementary school and hoping (hoping!) they will reciprocate. But I think it’ll be especially meaningful for all you girls who loved girls. And boys who loved boys. And anyone happy to see more (and younger) LGBTQ representation – which should be all of us. This is… just a wonderfully relatable book about being in love.”
~ Alison Morris, Senior Director of Title Selection, First Book
