![]() ![]() ![]() Some of the thought bubbles incorporate text to further reveal Penelope’s unvoiced thoughts, including the following statement: “I. ![]() Throughout the picture book, Barlow continues to provide readers windows into Penelope’s psychic life by incorporating meaningful visual depictions of how Penelope sees himself, and wants to be seen, in thought bumbles. Readers are immediately made aware of Penelope’s discomfort being perceived as a girl as well as his self-knowledge that he is a boy. The complicated image of two Penelope’s is paired with text in which Penelope asserts he is a ninja, describes ninjas, and begins to explain some of the challenges that arise from being named Penelope. A though bubble depicts Penelope as he imagines himself, with a mohawk and wearing blue. For instance, the text opens with an image of Penelope in a flowing pink blouse speckled with stars. ![]() To further develop this connection, Barlow often uses thought bubbles alongside images of Penelope, so readers can see him as he sees himself. The story unfolds in the first person, which gives readers a quick sense of intimacy with the protagonist-narrator. Author, Jodie Patterson, and illustrator, Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, create a celebratory picture book that introduces readers to Penelope, a young Black boy who knows two things for sure: 1) he’s a ninja and 2) he’s a boy. Like many picture books about transgender or nonbinary youth, Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope (2021), is written by the mother of a transgender child. ![]()
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