Reviewed by Dannielle Viera
‘When I was born, my family was Mummy and me.’ From this intimate start, the child’s rainbow family evolves and grows in unexpected ways. With every addition to the unconventional household, the child learns more about the importance of shared experiences and the boundless nature of love.
Ellie Royce’s simple yet heartfelt text gently introduces the concept of the rainbow family, where one or both parents are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Within this, themes of inclusion and resilience are touched upon, as the child learns to adapt to their changing world. Cleverly, the child protagonist is gender neutral, which makes them relatable to any school-aged reader.
Warmth and joy exude from Andrew McLean’s vibrant illustrations, with the fluid watercolours and linework visually twinning the shifts within the family. In depicting characters of different ethnicities striving together to make their unique situation work, Andrew reiterates the theme of inclusion and fosters discussions about diversity.
Frizzle and Me is an endearing
exploration of family dynamics. By purposefully choosing not to portray a traditional
nuclear unit, the book draws attention to the role of affection, connection and
acceptance in forming a strong family bond and in creating a place of safety
for children during periods of change.
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