Molly's Tuxedo - by Vicki Johnson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Molly's school picture day is coming up, and she wants to have a perfect portrait taken to hang on their wall. Her mom has picked out a nice dress for her, but Molly knows from experience that dresses are trouble. They have tight places and hard-to-reach zippers, and worst of all, no pockets! Luckily, she has the perfect thing to save picture day--her brother's old tuxedo! But Mom doesn't want her to wear a tuxedo in the photo; she thinks Molly looks best in the dress. Can Molly find the courage to follow her heart and get her mom to realize just how awesome she'd look in a tux?"--

Book Synopsis

Molly wants to look her best for picture day at her school, and what looks better than a tux?

Molly's school picture day is coming up, and she wants to have a perfect portrait taken to hang on their wall. Her mom has picked out a nice dress for her, but Molly knows from experience that dresses are trouble. They have tight places and hard-to-reach zippers, and worst of all, no pockets! Luckily, she has the perfect thing to save picture day--her brother's old tuxedo!

But mom doesn't want her to wear a tuxedo in the photo; she thinks Molly looks best in the dress. Can Molly find the courage to follow her heart and get her mom to realize just how awesome she'd look in a tux? This book highlights a gender nonconforming main character and is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.

Review Quotes

Molly's Tuxedo is a joyful and uplifting story about being true to yourself, told through gentle, witty proseand expressive, engaging illustrations. A perfect book for celebrating individual difference and teachingabout autonomy and acceptance.-- "Harry Woodgate, author/illustrator of Stonewall Honor book Grandad's Camper"

Molly's Tuxedo is a joyous, beautiful expression of feeling at home in your own skin, and the way honoring that expression empowers kids and parents alike. It made my heart sing from start to finish!-- "Shannon Watters, co-Creator of LumberJanes"

Five bowties for Molly's Tuxedo, a tender celebration of daring to be yourself - on picture day, and every day! Molly's honest journey will mean so much to anyone who has been pressured to erase themselves, but especially to gender nonconforming gals who all-too-rarely find themselves centered.-- "Charlotte Sullivan Wild, author of Stonewall Award book Love, Violet"

Molly is a celebration of the joy that comes from believing in yourself, and having the courage to follow your heart.-- "Kathi Appelt, author, Newbery Honoree, and National Book Award Finalist for The Underneath"

Parents picture their kids' best selves. Kids picture their own best selves, too. What do we do when the pictures don't match? If you're Molly, you stride forward with confidence, joy, and a bow tie.-- "Rachel Elliott, author/illustrator of Stonewall Honor book, The Real Riley Mayes"

Reid's exuberant, adorable illustration style brings Johnson's story--and Molly and her unique and proud self--to life, depicting the sheer joy that ensues in this story about doing what feels right and best for you-- "Booklist"

Starring a protagonist facing outward pressure to conform to binary gender norms, this picture book about self-expression foregrounds the self-knowledge involved in feeling one's best and looking 'like you.'-- "Publishers Weekly"

There is so much about Molly to love-she is a pretty big deal! She is confident, joyful, creative, and never unkind even when others try to stop her from being her authentic self. There are so many great details here: Molly's desire to wear pants with pockets in which to carry treats for stray dogs shows that she is caring; Zoe standing up for Molly, telling a classmate that yes, girls can wear tuxedos shows us how to be an ally. Molly's class picture is perfect and put a big smile on my face. I love this book!-- "Lesléa Newman, author of Heather Has Two Mommies and Sparkle Boy"

About the Author

Vicki Johnson was born and raised in rural Georgia where she spent her days reading, listening to the radio, and sweating. She is a Lambda Literary Fellow, a proud first-generation graduate of Smith College and Emory Law School, and a student at Vermont College of Fine Arts where she is pursuing her MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults. Vicki lives in a historic log cabin in West Virginia where she tends to her three cats, two dogs, and one college kid. She never wears dresses. Find out more about her at vickijohnsonwrites.com.

Gillian Reid is a children's book illustrator, character designer, and life drawing teacher. Originally from the UK, she now lives in Canada with her partner and two cats. She loves to draw, go to the movies and practice yoga. She likes to dress mostly in black and hopes to add a black tuxedo and bow tie to her wardrobe soon! Find out more about her at gillian-reid.com.