Book Review: Little Seahorse and the Big Question

Little Seahorse and the Big Question
By Freddy McConnell and Rosalind Beardshaw
Published by Puffin
ISBN-10: 0241453380, ISBN-13: 978-0241453384
Buy this book from Amazon UK

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Freddy McConnell, best known for being transgender man who has given birth, has written a heart-warming book about a family of seahorses, exploring what they value most.

The title of the book, Little Seahorse and the Big Question, references how seahorses represent a model in biology for a childbearing male. McConnell's journey through conception, gestation and childbirth as a trans man is detailed in the film 'Seahorse' (see BioNews 1016).

As a current A-level student in the UK undertaking voluntary work experience at PET (the Progress Educational Trust), I was delighted to hear that my first role was reviewing a lyrical picture book aimed at children from three-year-olds. The book is especially touching, as it was written to represent McConnell's own family and respond to assumptions that it 'must be missing something'. His experience as a single dad and his love for his son are translated beautifully, giving the book an authentic feel. It's easy to see the lovable characters and their story becoming a family favourite.

Firstly, credit is due to illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw, for bringing this story to life with her illustrations of the seahorse characters and their home under the sea, which are cheerful and memorable. The bright and warm colour scheme immediately brings an inviting, serene atmosphere that's maintained throughout the book. By using the drawings to personify Little One and Papa, she gives the story a more relatable feel, which makes the underlying message of the story more deeply felt. The line-work she uses makes the pictures thoughtfully simplistic, composing the enchanting life of the seahorses to accompany, rather than compete with, the writing. She has perfectly accentuated the comforting nature of the book and made its meaning clear. When paired with Freddy McConnell's playful and engaging writing, they form a delightful bedtime story.

The book follows the story of two seahorses, Papa and Little One. One evening, Little One poses the 'Big Question': 'What do we need?' The pair spend time together, reflecting on their everyday life and what is essential to them – food, clean water, friends, security, a home, fun. As the story comes to a close, a sleepy Little One and Papa come to the satisfying conclusion that the thing everyone needs the most is 'someone to love us'. They conclude that, although it is just the two of them, the pair still have everything they need.

Though the story is sweet and light-hearted, the book's underlying message is about what makes a family. Through the characters Papa and Little One and their relationship, McConnell shows that families aren't defined by the extent to which they conform to a stereotypical, picket-fence image, but rather by their love for each other. In showing this, the book presents the idea that families may come in many forms. Papa and Little One might not be the most conventional family, but despite this, the book sensitively shows that they aren't missing anything, their family is just as full and complete as any other.

This story will resonate with all families, but its focus on the father and child is gently normalising single-parent households, a demographic that's consistently under-represented in children's books. In his postscript, McConnell notes that this book was written to fill the space where once there were no stories about a family like his, 'with just a Papa and a Little One'.

McConnell's experience of being trans made him feel further set apart from other families, an aspect that wasn't helped by the recurring depictions of 'traditional' mum-and-dad families that dominate the media. By writing 'Little Seahorse and the Big Question', he has provided a book that will represent and include a wider range of families. It shows the true meaning of a family to young readers and provides a refreshing break from the narrow depiction of families found in many children's books.

Having grown up in Brighton, a city renowned for its support for the LGBTQ community and its famous Pride festival, my childhood was populated by a very diverse selection of families. Growing up in such an inclusive environment, I understand the need for representation and open-mindedness from a young age. This is especially important in a time of rising anti-woke sentiment and an increasingly transphobic culture, where people are attempting to 'shelter' their children from LGBTQ existence. I believe that 'Little Seahorse and the Big Question' and other books like it hold an important place in diversifying children's literature and widening their perspective from a young age. It's a brave and important story to bring to children while they are still learning and defining what families are.

Overall, Little Seahorse and the Big Question is a beautifully told story, outlining what it truly means to be a family. I commend McConnell for sharing his experience in this creative, accessible way, and I would recommend it to all families with toddlers.

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Buy Little Seahorse and the Big Question from Amazon UK.