Queer Book of the Month: My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart

By: Sydney Boyle

Inspired by the author's son, the main character of My Shadow is Pink likes princesses, fairies and things “not for boys.” He soon learns with the help of his dad that everyone has a shadow that they sometimes feel they need to hide. This is an important book for a new generation of children and adults which exemplifies the concepts of unconditional love, respect and positive parenting.

Stewart created this story for his son who was starting school but was made fun of by all the kids there because his favourite toy was an Elsa doll. This story follows a little boy in a world where your shadow can always be seen, it moves more freely from you and showcases your innermost desires. The little boy’s father is worried for him as he’s about to start school, because while his shadow is big and strong and blue, his son’s shadow is pink. My Shadow is Pink tackles gender norms in a way that is simplified for kids; explains how some people are different, and they don’t fit into the societal expectations of “normal.” The father in the story is scared and worried for his son and doesn’t want him to be mocked or ridiculed for being different, trying to tell him that his shadow will turn blue, that it will be fixed. That wasn’t the fix that he wanted it to be. He instead showed his son that it’s okay to be different, and that more people’s shadows are unique as well.

While the story is exploring a serious issue in a manner for kids, it does an excellent job at showcasing how people who aren’t straight don’t choose this for themselves, that telling them that they need to hide or that there’s something wrong with them will just make them feel worse and that they have to hide who they are.        

If you are interested in reading My Shadow is Pink, it is available at the Stratford Public Library.