What do you think?
Rate this book
Queer and Fearless: Poems Celebrating the Lives of LGBTQ+ Heroes
Learn about the lives of some of the most important LGBTQ+ heroes in this unique picture book that combines poetry and biographical information to honor those at the forefront of LGBTQ+ history.
Young readers will learn about the lives and legacies of seventeen heroes of the queer community from both past and present. Marsha P. Johnson, Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones, Pauline Park, Richard Blanco, and Pete Buttigieg are just a few of the iconic figures represented in this wonderfully designed and colorful picture book with illustrations by Harry Woodgate. A perfect introduction to the people who have stood up for what they believed in, lived lives according to their own ideals, and their partners, friends, and allies, the poetry in this book provides great read-aloud potential sure to entertain and inform readers of all ages.
Beloved children's book author Rob Sanders makes the lives of the most prominent LGBTQ+ heroes jump off of the page through his beautiful poems and detailed biographies. This title includes a glossary as well as a description of each poetry style, making it an ideal choice for home and classroom.
Young readers will learn about the lives and legacies of seventeen heroes of the queer community from both past and present. Marsha P. Johnson, Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones, Pauline Park, Richard Blanco, and Pete Buttigieg are just a few of the iconic figures represented in this wonderfully designed and colorful picture book with illustrations by Harry Woodgate. A perfect introduction to the people who have stood up for what they believed in, lived lives according to their own ideals, and their partners, friends, and allies, the poetry in this book provides great read-aloud potential sure to entertain and inform readers of all ages.
Beloved children's book author Rob Sanders makes the lives of the most prominent LGBTQ+ heroes jump off of the page through his beautiful poems and detailed biographies. This title includes a glossary as well as a description of each poetry style, making it an ideal choice for home and classroom.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 16, 2024
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 20, 2024
Queer and Fearless is a lovely book introducing seventeen importance figures from USAmerican LGBTQ+ history (including ones who are making history right now). It covers a variety of figures, some well-known and some that will be less familiar to most (especially kids).
The art is gorgeous, Woodgate really delivers on both the art of the figures who are represented and on the background imagery. The colours are vibrant and pop off the page.
The poetry aspect works really well! I didn't love every poem, but the poems are still informative (there's a prose portion for each figure, as well as a poem about them). A wide variety of poetry styles are featured, and the end of the book includes notes that specify what poetic forms are used and defining those forms. For this reason, it's a great resource for kids learning to write poetry.
In some ways I did find the book slightly underwhelming. I didn't realise it was exclusively USAmerican figures, although I probably should have assumed as much. I would have liked to see some international history. It's fairly racially diverse, including white, Black, Latine, and Asian figures (although none are Indigenous, but as it's only seventeen figures there's only so much that could have been included, even if I would have liked to have seen Indigenous rep). I was definitely underwhelmed by the lack of diversity of the LGBTQ+ identities themselves honestly--there are lesbians, gays, and trans women, but (unless it went without mentioning at all) there were no trans men, nonbinary people, bisexuals, asexuals, intersex people, etc. Also, as the history is focused on queer activism and politics, the people featured have only been active in the community since the 50s. I wouldn't say that any of these complaints are major flaws, just that I wanted to see a broader variety of rep personally.
Still though, it does really deliver on sharing the stories of a variety of people, some of whom get very little attention despite how important their work was or how widespread their influence came to be.
As a whole, this is a really enjoyable picture book that collects informative biographies, educational poetry, and skillful art that makes for a great resource, especially for kids learning about queer history for the first time (and not my adult self who has a broader knowledge of queer history going in). Recommended!
The art is gorgeous, Woodgate really delivers on both the art of the figures who are represented and on the background imagery. The colours are vibrant and pop off the page.
The poetry aspect works really well! I didn't love every poem, but the poems are still informative (there's a prose portion for each figure, as well as a poem about them). A wide variety of poetry styles are featured, and the end of the book includes notes that specify what poetic forms are used and defining those forms. For this reason, it's a great resource for kids learning to write poetry.
In some ways I did find the book slightly underwhelming. I didn't realise it was exclusively USAmerican figures, although I probably should have assumed as much. I would have liked to see some international history. It's fairly racially diverse, including white, Black, Latine, and Asian figures (although none are Indigenous, but as it's only seventeen figures there's only so much that could have been included, even if I would have liked to have seen Indigenous rep). I was definitely underwhelmed by the lack of diversity of the LGBTQ+ identities themselves honestly--there are lesbians, gays, and trans women, but (unless it went without mentioning at all) there were no trans men, nonbinary people, bisexuals, asexuals, intersex people, etc. Also, as the history is focused on queer activism and politics, the people featured have only been active in the community since the 50s. I wouldn't say that any of these complaints are major flaws, just that I wanted to see a broader variety of rep personally.
Still though, it does really deliver on sharing the stories of a variety of people, some of whom get very little attention despite how important their work was or how widespread their influence came to be.
As a whole, this is a really enjoyable picture book that collects informative biographies, educational poetry, and skillful art that makes for a great resource, especially for kids learning about queer history for the first time (and not my adult self who has a broader knowledge of queer history going in). Recommended!
May 10, 2024
For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle
A great concept for a book. This collection of poems highlights various LGBTQ+ heroes throughout American history. Paired with each poem is a short biography with some of the major events in the person's life and gorgeous illustrations from Woodgate centering joy and community.
This is a nice resource for learning about LGBTQ+ history and activism. It includes both historical and contemporary icons, from Harvey Milk and Marsha P. Johnson, to Cleve Jones and Gilbert Baker, to Pauline Park and Ernestine Eckstein. A nice variety of people included from the trans, gay, lesbian, and drag communities.
Each poem also uses a different style, which are explained in the back. These range from found poetry to duets, free verse to senryu, limericks to rhyming couplets. This also makes it a great book for learning about poetry styles and works well for pairing with creative writing exercises.
The stories include themes of nonviolence, activism, protests, community, politics, family, and equality.
At the back, there is also a glossary of words with accessible definitions as well as a list of additional readings for more about those highlighted and about broader queer history.
As always, Woodgate's illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They emanate pride, joy, and love.
A great resource for learning about LGBTQ+ history, activism, and poetry.
A great concept for a book. This collection of poems highlights various LGBTQ+ heroes throughout American history. Paired with each poem is a short biography with some of the major events in the person's life and gorgeous illustrations from Woodgate centering joy and community.
This is a nice resource for learning about LGBTQ+ history and activism. It includes both historical and contemporary icons, from Harvey Milk and Marsha P. Johnson, to Cleve Jones and Gilbert Baker, to Pauline Park and Ernestine Eckstein. A nice variety of people included from the trans, gay, lesbian, and drag communities.
Each poem also uses a different style, which are explained in the back. These range from found poetry to duets, free verse to senryu, limericks to rhyming couplets. This also makes it a great book for learning about poetry styles and works well for pairing with creative writing exercises.
The stories include themes of nonviolence, activism, protests, community, politics, family, and equality.
At the back, there is also a glossary of words with accessible definitions as well as a list of additional readings for more about those highlighted and about broader queer history.
As always, Woodgate's illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They emanate pride, joy, and love.
A great resource for learning about LGBTQ+ history, activism, and poetry.
June 10, 2024
Love love love. I want a copy for my forever shelf.
First of all, great concept. Love the selections and that there were people I had heard of and people I hadn't. All ordered chronologically so you can follow the movement. I love the combo of poetry with a nonfiction blurb plus dates. The illustrations are gorgeous...love anything illustrated by Harry Woodgate. But the thing that takes this over the top and earns its 5th star is the variety of poetry. We get different poetry formats that suit each story and back matter that describes them for us. I'm in poetry heaven with this one. I love it.
First of all, great concept. Love the selections and that there were people I had heard of and people I hadn't. All ordered chronologically so you can follow the movement. I love the combo of poetry with a nonfiction blurb plus dates. The illustrations are gorgeous...love anything illustrated by Harry Woodgate. But the thing that takes this over the top and earns its 5th star is the variety of poetry. We get different poetry formats that suit each story and back matter that describes them for us. I'm in poetry heaven with this one. I love it.
June 9, 2024
An introduction to 17 heroic individuals who have fought against discrimination and for LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Each of their stories is told through poetry with a brief biography on the side. In the back, it explains the different poetic forms used. This is a fantastic introduction to LGBTQ+ history and to the individuals who have been a monumental force in changing the world for the better.
April 27, 2025
I really liked how empowering this book felt. The poems celebrate real LGBTQ+ heroes and it feels super inspiring without feeling forced. Some poems stood out more than others, but overall it made me want to learn more about the people it featured. Definitely a book that gives you a feeling of pride and strength.
June 24, 2024
Inspiring biographies of LGBTQ+ heroes paired with a poem. Includes a glossary, explanations of the different types of poems used, and an author's note.
June 26, 2024
A good mix of well-known and lesser-known heroes of the LGBTQ+ movement.
June 30, 2025
Great way to share history and poetry.
February 28, 2025
Excellent book for all about people from the LGBTQ+ community and their contributions to society
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews