Travis sets no limits to what he enjoys doing. Shopping and football, ballet and dress-up make Travis a one of a kind boy! But when some of the kids on the playground begin to pick on him, Travis truly dazzles. This empowering story encourages kids of any gender to challenge the social norm, revealing their true selves.
Hannah Carmona is the author of three picture books, two short plays, and the eight-book chapter book series "Maria and Mateo." She is a proud Latinx (who doesn’t speak a word of Spanish), audiobook narrator of over 70 books, teacher, and mom of two fierce girls.
When not doing any of the above, she can sometimes be found procrastinating with a bag of Twizzlers.
Hannah is terrible at social media but you can contact her at hannahcarmonawritesbooks@gmail.com
ALL TITLES PREVIOUS TO THE YEAR 2019 ARE PUBLISHED UNDER HANNAH CARMONA DIAS.
Yes, boys can love glitter and pink, and shopping, and ballet dancing!!! Yes, girls can be anything they want: mechanics, astrophysicists, and Sumo wrestlers!
I just loved Travis and his courage in standing up to unjust critics and bullies. Occasionally you meet a child who can do it not only for themselves, but also for others, and then you are moved and changed for better by their refusal to accept prejudice and silly limitations. An important book to read to and discuss with children to help them discover their own interests and inclinations as well as respecting and supporting others. Thank you to Edelweiss and Cardinal Rule Press for the DRC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
This rhyming picture book is narrated by Travis, who doesn't follow stereotypical gender norms. When he's confronted by a trio of time-travelling bullies (or so I assume; their attitudes certainly seem like they're from the 1950s), he stands up for himself and his friends and tells the meanies that boys and girls can play with whatever they like and dress in whatever way makes them happy.
The message here isn't subtle at all. For older readers, it might be a little too straightforward and obvious.
The illustrations are fine. I do like the way that one of the bullies is drawn. (After the confrontation, she really seems to be pondering what Travis said.)
There are a couple of pages at the back profiling people who defied gender norms in their day (Coco Chanel, Langston Hughes, etc.). These characters are rendered in yet another illustration style... with one exception. The author was apparently inspired by a former student, and his photograph is included. I'm not sure including an actual photograph in a story about gender norms and bullying is the best idea; it makes the poor kid identifiable, and perhaps even more of a target than he was before. (Why couldn't he have been drawn in the cartoon style like the rest of the historical figures?)
This book comes across as very much a teaching tool about gender norms and bullying. It might be a little too in-your-face for some readers, but younger children may take the overall message to heart. This isn't the worst picture book I've read on this subject, but it has some definite weaknesses that keep it from being one of the better ones.
Do you ever dare to be different? Are you confident enough to stand out when everyone else blends in? This is definitely Travis! Playing dress up, taking dance, playing ball, he'll always take a chance. But when he and his friends are playing on the playground and a group of bullies come along, will Travis stand up for himself and his friends? Or will the bullies win? Read this awe-inspiring book about a boy who will take a stand not because he always thinks he right, but because he's not afraid of being wrong.
This book is so amazing on so many levels. Kids will love the rhyming verses and the incredible and colorful illustrations. This is a great read aloud because the author offers thoughtful questions before reading, durning reading, and after reading. This book also five individuals just like Travis, they struggled against the opinions of others, but persevered and dazzled in their own ways. This is a must have for every classroom and library!!
Dazzling Travis is a great book to teach your little ones that gender stereotypes are of the past. Travis demonstrates just how important it is to be true to yourself by standing up to the kids who made fun of him. The rhythmic text is simple to understand and the vibrant illustrations are a great complement.
Dazzling Travis: A Story About being Confident & Original by Hannah Carmona Dias. Illustrated by Brenda Figueroa. Children’s fiction. Hardcover edition. 32 pages. Published 01 April 2019 by Cardinal Rule Press. Goodreads Giveaway. 5 Stars.
Travis is a creative and imaginative boy who learns to stand up for himself when being bullied and belittled for playing with things other than traditional “boy’s toys”—setting the stage for his continued enjoyment and unlimited creativity. Charming artwork highlights his experiences with other children. Highly recommend!
Can we just talk about gender stereotypes for a bit?
I have always been aware of gender stereotypes for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I found out the sex of my child that I realized how early in our lives society starts putting those pressures on us.
When I was pregnant, the first thing strangers asked me was “Boy or Girl?”. Everyone was quick to tell me how “Boys are more fun.” or “Girls have the best clothes”. Having a child during a time when “gender reveals” are considered the norm, my husband and I got puzzled looks when we revealed…we weren’t having one of those parties.
You see, our family just doesn’t buy into gender stereotypes. For example, my husband does most of the cooking in our home, and I do most of the yard work. We have always just played to our strengths and worked as a team. There are no “women’s job” and “men’s jobs” in this home.
Before I had a child, I always assumed my future children would just see this example and pick it up. But when the gender stereotyping started before he was even born, I realized it wouldn’t be so simple. I would need to actively work to ensure my son knows that his gender has no bearing on his toys, books, or hobbies.
So when I found Dazzling Travis by Hannah Carmona Dias, I knew it had to be on our bookshelf. In this book we meet Travis, who has a wide variety of interest, from dress up to basketball. When Travis is bullied for playing with a doll on the playground, he stands up for himself. He educates his bullies about gender stereotypes in a straightforward way that kids can easily understand.
While the main character is a boy, I love that this book specifically includes girls as well. The adorable illustrations by Brenda Figueroa depict several kids playing with a variety of different toys. The back of the book also has some great examples of people who challenged gender stereotypes, and became their own dazzling selves.
I think my favorite part of the book is that there are discussion questions on the first page. Six quick questions to ask (two before, two during, and two after) to give children a deeper understanding of the message and foster critical thinking.
This is the perfect book to encourage children to be confident in themselves and embrace the things that make them stand out from others. It’s also a great book to begin conversations about gender norms and how to challenge them.
I would like to thank Cardinal Rule Press for providing me with a review copy of this book. I look forward to sharing it with my son for years to come!
Have you and your children read Dazzling Travis yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below and let me know what you though about this one.
Dazzling Travis does a super job battling gender stereotypes in a positive, kid-friendly way. Travis is a champion for self-expression and anyone who’s ever felt different. I really like that Hannah Carmona Dias included examples of real people who broke the barrier of stereotypes in the back matter. A great book for parents and teachers to spark conversations about diversity and inclusion.
Have you ever treated someone poorly because they were different? This book brilliantly addresses being different and how to handle bullies that don’t understand you. I LOVED that the book includes what to discuss before, during, and after the story. I’ve never seen that in a picture book. This will definitely help parents and teachers field questions from the listener. But don’t be restricted by what’s printed. Make the conversation your own. You should make sure that it fits your family and classroom.
Figueroa’s illustrations were drawn with pencil and colored digitally. The imagery is full of exquisite detail and bright colors. There is a wide array of character diversity which is an added bonus in a picture book. The poetic prose are easy to read and offer a delightful flow. The size and color of the font don’t overwhelm the page. The placement of the text is set methodically on the pages.
There is a little Travis in each of us. We just have to be brave and confident in our convictions. It’s okay to be different but it’s not ok to make others feel bad about theirs.
I received this book as an ARC from Cardinal Rule Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book brings forth a strong powerful message about owning and accepting who you are and be proud no matter what people have to say. The illustrations really matched the description of Travis very well and really exemplifies how judgement can really ruin someone's perception of not only others but for themselves. I also loved the fact that there were other examples of people that redefined history and set examples of being true to who you are and my favorite part was that this book was inspired based on one of Hannah's former students. Way to do him proud!
We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Travis is a confident, joyful, and dazzling boy who knows that there's no limit to what he can do or wear or play, regardless of his classmates' rigid ideas about gender roles. This inspirational and entertaining story is beautifully illustrated with bright, clear art depicting Travis and his diverse group of friends playing with true happiness and creativity. The message of staying true to yourself and ignoring arbitrary rules about gender is reinforced by a useful discussion guide at the beginning of the book. Dazzling Travis is a story from which all kids (and adults) will learn a valuable, life-affirming lesson.
My thanks to Cardinal Rule Press and Edelweiss+ for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
To be Different is to be Dazzling! And Travis dares to Dazzle! Travis likes to play dress-up, build with blocks, dance ballet, play basketball, and play dolls with his friends! Activities all kids enjoy! Yet, some kids think it is strange that Travis does some of these things, like playing with dolls because, "Boys CAN'T play with that!" They even tease and taunt him! And while these words are hurtful, Travis stands up for who he is and the what he likes to do! This story smashes that age-old stereotype that pink is for girls and blue is for boys. We live in a world with beautiful shades of PURPLE, where little boys and girls like Travis have the confidence to be who they are...Dazzling!
This is the actual cutest. Travis and his friends unconsciously challenge the gender norms of society by playing dress up, with the boys dressing as queens and the girls dressing as knights (and a jester!) They stick to their guns when confronted by their peers for behaving outside the norm, behaving admirably when being bullied.
This is a great addition to anyone's bookshelf. Any child would enjoy the rhyming prose and the beautiful colors. Any adult would enjoy the sweet inclusive message and the lovely artwork.
“I am who I am! There’s no boy and girl line. In sports or in dress-up, I’ll sparkle and shine.”
Travis has so many things he’s interested in, but some of those things are “girl things” according to his classmates. But Travis is tired of being bullied and laughed at. He is who he is and he declares it to everyone. “It’s not weird or strange to express the true you.”
The back of the book includes a list of people who “struggled against the opinions of others, but they persevered and soon dazzled in their own ways”, including one of the author’s former students.
DAZZLING TRAVIS is the story of a young boy who is picked on and bullied for being different. Queer coded, Travis loves fashion and plays “girls’” games. However, in this rhyming picture book, Travis learns to take a moment and stand up for himself, telling his bullies that there is nothing wrong with being different and that they should respect him. The book also comes with a parent’s guide to conversation starters with your child and examples of real-world people who overcame bullying because of their differences. Truly inspirational!
Carmona has created a young boy who loves to explore every possibility. Although his gender bending activities are not always met with acceptance, Travis stands his ground and let’s his inner light shine.
A nice rhyming picture book for reminding kids that there are no colors, toys, games or interests that belong just to girls or just to boys, and not to stop being yourself for someone who teases you about doing something they wouldn't do.
I loved this book. Even though the boy in this book struggled with his gender identity, I think all children can relate to struggling with who they are trying to become.
We had the opportunity to read and review Dazzling Travis for Multicultural Children’s Book Day, and we enjoyed it so much! It’s told directly from the perspective of Travis who loves dressing up in colorful denim, glitter, dresses, and armor. He dances ballet, builds with his blocks, plays basketball, and enjoys shopping. One of my favorite lines is “There are so many things to like all around. No limits or range holding me down.” But Travis’s peers tell him he needs to do “boy” things. They even take away his toys and call him weird. Travis’s response is perfect, “I am who I am! There’s no boy and girl line. In sports or in dress-up, I’ll sparkle and shine… It’s not weird or strange to express the true you.”
I absolutely love that Travis is so confident in who he is. He’s the perfect role model for little ones, and this book provides so many opportunities for important discussions. The author even includes some wonderful tips for reading it with your little one. She suggests questions to ask before, during, and after reading like “Have you ever been picked on for liking something different?” and “How are you different and what makes you special?” In the back are real examples of historical figures who struggled against the opinions of others. Best of all, the author includes her inspiration for the story, her former student Seth, whose message to others is “Don’t let people define who you are, be strong and creative, for you will change the world!”
Many thanks to Cardinal Rule Press for our copy of Dazzling Travis and the opportunity to review it for Multicultural Children’s Book Day. This book is an absolute must-have for home and classroom libraries! For more children's book reviews, follow us on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nestingwith...
Too often in our world, people allow society to dictate the rules of what people can like or dislike with clothing, activities, etc. This is prevalent during childhood as many children begin to explore and reflect the world around them. Based on various perspectives in life, people begin to show either their approval or disapproval of someone's choices of who they choose to be or the activities they choose to engage in.
In this story of bravery and confidence, the main character, Travis, reminds us to step out into the world unapologetically because there are no limits nor boundaries for what any one person can do or be in life! My favorite quote is "It's not weird or strange to express the true you."
On the last page of the book, the author includes a snapshot of a few famous people who too have stories of being brave and confident in who they are, along with how this story is inspired by one of her former students. This books allows for a strong discussion around bullying in what part people play in other people's worlds. It allows opportunity for acceptance by seeing how Travis surrounds himself with others who allow him to be his best self and do the things that make him happy. This book is a reminder to those who may need to be uplifted in confidence in being who they are.
I loved the main character in this picture book about dressing in your own style and playing/acting outside traditional gender stereotypes. He is adorable and confident—and I love his name! It is fun to say and hits the exact right note. I would have preferred the text to be prose, which I think lends rereadability, and the narrative is very on-the-nose. The message, however, of boys or girls being able to follow their passions without ridicule is sorely needed. I loved that it didn't push kids toward a left agenda and could easily be shared in Christian circles to help fight the pressure kids (especially boys) are receiving when they are interested in fashion, ballet, or other typically feminine pursuits. I appreciated the inclusion of mini biographies in the back. And while some may think they are random, I found the diverse group to be a nice mix: a white female baseball player, a male Latino ballet dancer, a black male poet, and a female European fashion designer known to adapt masculine styles for women. In a sea of confusion, this may be a book little ones can see themselves in.
My 3 year old daughter and I are reading this book on repeat! She loves how Travis is a free spirit and a young fashion maximalist (just like she is). The drawings and situations are relatable for a child her age, and the text and pictures are paced wonderfully for a very young reader. I love how Travis is always himself, no matter what other people think or say. This book sends a positive message about self-acceptance and accepting others, and is also a plain fun read. Great for kids no matter where they identify on the gender spectrum. I'll definitely be sending copies to friends and gifting copies for birthdays. (Note: I received this book as a screener for Multi-Cultural Children's Book Day.)
Dazzling Travis is a delightful read about loving who you are and offers ways for children to cope and react when getting picked on by peers. Carmona’s relateable, rhyming text makes the topic easily digestible and accessible to children while Figueroa’s expressive illustrations bring to life the emotions of the text. I enjoyed and appreciated the discussion questions at the beginning the text, and back matter highlighting others who felt different yet went on to shine, including the authors own inspiration for the story who was a former theater student of hers. The story makes for a great resource both at home and in the classroom.