Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

In a rhymed litany that decisively establishes the presence of LGTBQ+ athletes in every reach of the pro, amateur, and Olympics sports worlds, Sanders salutes dozens of groundbreaking achievers by first name, grouped into 29 sorts of games or contests—from “Renée, Gigi, and Billie Jean— / On clay courts or grass bright green” to “Luke and Julie, Meghan, Brock, / charging on the ice—they rock.” “Tall and short. Straight and queer. / Sports has got a new frontier.” Having made his point, the author follows up with a complete lineup at the end, arranged in order of appearance, with full names for each, plus a quick summary of accomplishments. Along with a formal, if select, glossary of identity terminology, the author also closes with a plea to players and fans to play fair, respect opponents, and be examples of kindness and tolerance. In bright illustrations that crank up the motion and energy, figures in hijabs and wheelchairs join the populous, diverse crowd that skates, runs, gallops, zooms, tussles, or otherwise shows their competitive stuff across the pages.

Publishers Weekly
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In rhyming lines and slick digital artwork, Sanders and Evans offer a brief intro to 60 LGBTQ+ professional athletes globally known for their accomplishments over the past 60-something years. From “Renée, Gigi, and Billie Jean—/... Every one a tennis queen” to “Luke and Julie, Meghan, Brock,/ charging on the ice—they rock” and more, quick-moving text references athletes mostly by first names alone. Dynamic layouts that feature multiple sports, meanwhile, offer a broad scope, for example together showcasing volleyball, golf, skiing, dressage, and snowboarding. Though the illustrated portraits can be indistinct, and some first names may not be immediately recognizable, the rapidly introduced assembly successfully underscores the diversity of queer folks who have risen through sports ranks. Back matter includes an author’s note, glossary, and more information about athletes mentioned. Ages 4–8. (May)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Sanders blends poetry and profile as he spotlights 60 queer athletes. Bouncy rhyming verse covers individuals across history, from household names like tennis player Billie Jean King to potentially less familiar ones, like track star Dr. Tom Waddell, who founded the Gay Games in 1982. Sanders introduces each boundary-busting athlete by first name only and devotes a single sentence to each, punctuated by occasional generalized inspirational stanzas. While the main text is light on concrete information, the backmatter provides full names and brief factual bullet points for each athlete. And because Sanders often doesn’t mention what sports these players excelled in, readers must rely on Evans’ brightly colored illustrations for context clues. The bold, kinetic images depict athletes in peak action, layered over swaths of color or shared backgrounds that sometimes visually link disparate sports within the same spread, such as horseracing, BMX, and NASCAR. A glossary of queer terms is also included, though many of the terms are never used in the text. Appealing visuals and satisfying rhymes make for an entertaining sports read. Featured athletes are diverse in race and body shape. A fun and lively read-aloud, featuring an all-star lineup. (author’s note)(Informational picture book. 4-8) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.