Illustrated by Forrest Burdett

On Sale: May 12, 2026
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9781643750965

$18.99

$24.99 CAD

Format

Hardcover

Format:

Hardcover $18.99 $24.99 CAD

Buy from Other Retailers:

A simple spelling lesson leads to a life-changing moment for Poppy in this sweet picture book that normalizes queerness and finding one’s voice, for fans of Love, Violet and Pink Is for Boys.

Every morning, Poppy wakes up eager to go to school. It’s where she plays house, colors with her class, and learns from her teacher, Ms. Merriwick. Best of all, it’s where Poppy sees Ava, who has big, bouncy curls and pencils to share. But when one spelling lesson about words beginning with the letter Q leaves Poppy confused and disappointed, she turns to her teacher for answers.

This heartwarming school story follows Poppy as she navigates her big feelings and discovers the power in asking questions. Bright, colorful artwork brings to life this impactful picture book about imagination, acceptance, and the importance of representation.

Genre:

Nicole Melleby, a New Jersey native, is an author of highly praised novels for young readers, including the Lambda Literary Award finalist Hurricane Season, ALA Notable Children's Book How to Become a Planet, Camp QUILTBAG (co-written with A. J. Sass), and the House on Sunrise Lagoon series. She's also the author of Sunny and Oswaldo, as well as a coeditor of Athlete Is Agender: True Stories of LGBTQ+ Excellence in Sports. She lives with her wife and their family, and invites you to visit her online at nicolemelleby.com.

Forrest Burdett is an illustrator based in the Pacific Northwest, where he spends his time daydreaming and painting fantastical worlds. When he's not creating or painting, he's off looking for magic out in nature. You can see more of his work at www.forrestburdett.com.

By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Nicole Melleby

About the Author

Nicole Melleby, a New Jersey native, is the author of highly praised middle-grade books, including the Lambda Literary finalist Hurricane Season, ALA Notable book How to Become a Planet, Camp QUILTBAG (co-written with A. J. Sass), and The House on Sunrise Lagoon series. She’s also the author of Sunny and Oswaldo, her debut picture book. She lives with her wife and their cats, whose need for attention oddly aligns with Nicole’s writing schedule. Visit her online at nicolemelleby.com.

Learn more about this author

Forrest Burdett

About the Illustrator

Forrest Burdett is an illustrator from New Jersey with a passion for vibrant colors and fairytales. His days are filled with drawings of faraway places and fantastical adventures. He studied illustration at FIT in Manhattan and now lives in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more about this illustrator

Contributors

Formats and Prices

Price