Harrison Dwight Ballerina and Knight is the second collaboration between author Rachael MacFarlane and illustrator Spencer Laudiero. Harrison loves ballet and dressing up as a knight. He likes to watch football with his mom and pick flowers with his dad. He competes in BMX races in pink gear and likes to paint his toenails. Harrison also talks about being okay with expressing his feelings and talking out problems with others.

What results is not a subtle book about it being okay for boys to like things that are both “traditionally masculine” and “traditionally feminine”. It times, to an adult or older reader, the language in the book may feel stilted or obvious. Still, this book will serve as an excellent starting point for the discussion on gender expression and healthy masculinity. Especially for children who have never had the ideas introduced, Harrison Dwight will give caregivers and children a glimpse at some language that can be used when these situations present themselves in everyday life.

The text is accompanied by digital illustrations showing a boy with brown hair and light brown skin–sometimes realistically and sometimes what he imagines he looks like. He is often accompanied by his mom (blonde with pale skin) and his dad (tanned with curly, brown hair). The background cast of characters includes adults and children of varying skin color, body type, and age. The pictures are a clean and bright way to show the story that will engage children.

Despite a lack of narrative, Harrison Dwight Ballerina and Knight provides a starting point for a very important conversation for all families to have. Recommended for most collections.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.