A Song for Nolan - by Rushie Ellenwood (Hardcover)

About the Book

"When Nolan is invited to a birthday party at the roller rink, they are so excited. They pick out the perfect, sparkling outfit, tie on their snazzy skates, and join their friends for a day of roller skating bliss. But when the DJ calls for a boys skate followed by a girls skate, Nolan feels left out. With courage and a strong sense of self, Nolan bravely requests a song for EVERYONE."--

Book Synopsis

Get ready to roll with Nolan! Boys' skate! Girls' skate! Leave it to Nolan, who is nonbinary, to bring everyone together to sing, dance, and groove in this celebration of being yourself.

"Chen's thin-lined, saturated artwork is an ideal partner to Ellenwood's characterization in this uplifting tale about making room for oneself-and all." - Publisher's Weekly

"A useful reminder about the importance of inclusion for anyone planning group events." - School Library Journal

"A nonbinary kid carves out space for themself (and everyone!) at the roller rink." - Kirkus Reviews

When Nolan is invited to a birthday party at the roller rink, they are so excited. They pick out the perfect, sparkling outfit, tie on their snazzy skates, and join their friends for a day of roller skating bliss. But when the DJ calls for a boys skate followed by a girls skate, Nolan feels left out. With courage and a strong sense of self, Nolan bravely requests a song for EVERYONE. This powerful and joyful picture book uplifts and celebrates nonbinary children.

Published in partnership with media advocacy organization GLAAD, this empowering book positively represents LGBTQ families.

Review Quotes

Chen's vibrant, jewel-toned illustrations capture the chaotic sensory environment of the roller rink . . . A useful reminder about the importance of inclusion for anyone planning group events.-- "School Library Journal"

Wearing a carefully chosen outfit (suspenders and a feather boa), brown-skinned, pink-haired Nolan, who is nonbinary, arrives at a friend's skating-rink birthday party. Following an incident of misgendering, getting stuck on the rink during a binary "boys'?" skate session interrupts Nolan's carefree dance under the colorful lights, and leads to a tumble and feelings of distress ("DO I EVEN BELONG HERE?!"). But Nolan makes a request to the DJ that both saves the day and results in an invite for everyone to skate. Chen's thin-lined, saturated artwork is an ideal partner to Ellenwood's characterization in this uplifting tale about making room for oneself-and all. Background characters are portrayed with various abilities, body types, and skin tones.-- "Publisher's Weekly"

About the Author

Rushie Ellenwood (she/they), has worked in copywriting and screenwriting, but nothing has brought them more joy than writing for kids--particularly those who feel unseen. When Rushie isn't writing or trying to make somebody laugh, they can be found roller skating at Oaks Park, shooting hoops with her kids, or walking their dog around Mount Tabor, which is a dormant volcano near her house in rainy Portland, Oregon. This is their first book, inspired by a true story.

Sally Chen (they/she/he) is a queer, non-binary, second-generation Chinese (specifically Taishanese!) American multidisciplinary artist who's born, raised, and based in Brooklyn, NYC. Through their work, they seek to create joy, laughter, instill softness, and maintain resiliency in a world that often feels too tough to be in. Whether this takes the form of whimsical, textured, and immersive illustrations awash with poetry, sculptural pieces, or silly animations, it's important to them to create work that speaks to their identity and culture whilst uplifting those around them.