Title: Love is Love
Author: Fleur Pierets
Illustrator: Fatinha Ramos
Publisher: Six Foot Press, 2020
Ages: 4-8
32 pages.
Genre: nonfiction/fiction
Themes: marriage, marriage equality, queer love, love, lgbtqia+, marriage traditions, lesbian couple
Opening:
We are Fleur and Julian, and we are two women in love. 13 is the number of countries where we have gotten married. 13 times we said, “I do!” We travel around the world to talk about marriage, to let people know it is an act of love between any two people, not just between a man and a woman.
Our love is about looking in the same direction and making the world a better place. So after 13 countries, we are going to 15 more.
Synopsis:
The worldwide adventure continues as Fleur and Julian celebrate marriage in 15 more countries that allow same-sex unions, completing the journey they started in Love Around the World (2020 Rainbow Book List).
Fleur Pierets and Julian P. Boom are two women in love. They live together, eat together, sleep together, and work together. When Fleur asks Julian to marry her, Julian says “Yes!” But in most countries, a man cannot marry a man and a woman cannot marry a woman. There are 195 countries in the world, but they can only get married in 28 of them. They think this is unfair! So they decide to get married in all 28 countries that allow same-sex marriage.
Inspired by a true story, Love Around the World, was the first in this two-volume children’s book series about Julian and Fleur’s adventures. In Love Is Love: The Journey Continues, they pick up where they left off, exploring the marriage traditions of fourteen countries: Argentina, Austria, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. (publisher)
Why I like this book:
This is biographical and stunningly illustrated in a bold and vibrant style and palate! The colorful art and simple text take Julian and Fleur on a journey to all of the countries where same sex marriage is legal so that they can celebrate their love union. The illustrations incorporate local clothing, landmarks, and flags, making this a great teaching tool.
The story itself is heartwarming and explains same sex marriage in a simple way. Love is love. The book also contains only 2-3 sentences for each country, which is perfect to hold a young reader’s attention. I adore the UK page with the kids & the lines about bullying / taking care of each other.
This beautiful journey of love is all the more poignant when you read the author’s note at the back that after wedding #4 in France, Julian was diagnosed with brain cancer and died shortly thereafter, but Fleur continues the wedding journey.
Resources/Activities:
Especially good for upper elementary students when they can understand a bit more about the fight that continues on, so that they can appreciate the whole story. When Julian and Fleur launched the project in 2017 there were 22 countries that legalized same sex marriage, since then the number has grown to 29.
Maybe a world map could be created to show where such unions are legal.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
What an amazingly awesome concept for a picture book! But so sad that their union and story together was cut short by Julian’s death. But I’m glad that Fleur continues the journey. I also love the illustrations. They have a great vibe. Great pic, Joanna!
Yes, it is bittersweet when you read the end note, but how beautiful that Fleur continued the “journey” to honor Julian and continue to promote awareness.