Flower Girl

Nicki’s “funnest” and “coolest” aunt Carmela is marrying “nice, and funny, and very, very useful” Big Dave, shown in softly textured art by Walhgren as helping the brown-skinned young protagonist liberate cookies from a high-up jar. Nicki eagerly awaits her role as flower girl, Bloom writes, until faced with the prospect of wearing a dress. But after confirming that she’s “still all in for love and pretty petals” Dad suggests a solution: a snazzy suit, complete with a polka-dot bow tie. “GORGEOUS!” Dad says, and on the big day, Aunt Carmela concurs, adding, “Tiger, you gotta be you.” With steady warmth and vivid renderings of an unconditionally loving family shown with various skin tones, the creators show that there’s no single standard around gender expression or sartorial appropriateness. What matters is being true to oneself—and one’s own fabulousness—and bringing joy and love to others. Ages 3–5. (May)