You Need To Chill by Juno Dawson

The Blurb On The Back:

Sometimes people say to me: “What happened to your brother Bill?”
That’s when I look them in the eye and say: “Hun, you need to chill.”

When Bill can’t be found at school one day, the imaginations of the other children run wild.

Is he on holiday?

Is he lost in the park?

Has he been eaten by a shark?!

It’s up to Bill’s sister to explain …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Juno Dawson’s lgbtq+ picture book is a good way of introducing young readers to children with trans identities with the narrator’s pragmatism contrasting with the increasingly hysterical worries of her classmates. However, while Laura Hughes’s illustrations are great - bright, colourful, energetic and packed with character - I found Dawson’s rhymes to be strained at times and the need to chill refrain sounds increasingly precocious.

YOU NEED TO CHILL was released in the United Kingdom on 1st September 2022. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.