This review is based on an Unedited ARC.

Riley is a second grader who is excited about the upcoming school book costume day, Through this adorable early reader chapter book, Riley and friends discuss their favorite books and make costumes to match. This is a book that I think many of my younger students would enjoy.

Unfortunately, it’s also a book that I probably couldn’t buy for my classroom library or read in class. Because, you see, Riley is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. Furthermore, the school librarian uses the Mx. title. And apparently some people think that any mention of gender identity whatsoever is not acceptable for schools to do.

This is exactly the kind of book kids need. Riley’s gender isn’t an issue to their friends and doesn’t make any difference in context of the story. Riley is just there, being an individual, being a good friend, and making amazing costumes. But, to the child who is trans, or who has a friend who is, seeing a protagonist who reflects that is a big deal. Just as it is a big deal to have protagonists who match a child’s race, or disability, or even hair color. Kids deserve that. Kids deserve Riley. I’ll be adding this book (and the others in the series) to my list for my little free library. I only wish I could add it to my class library, too.

This was really cute. I loved the non-binary rep and the supportive parents and friends. I think the definitions in the beginning can be really helpful for readers new to queer topics, wanting to get involved!

Although this fun book addresses the non-binary, as a child who felt unwanted because the father wanted the other gender (or at least a tomboy) I felt this book was for me and my kind as well. The story itself is about a giving young person who is genius at creating fun costumes for individuals in class with the simple materials at hand. It clearly shows that personal attributes are not gender related anymore, like when only females could be nurses (but not doctors or lawyers) or princesses (but not knights or kings). I absolutely loved it!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Capstone/Stone Arch Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

The art in this was cute, appealing except for a couple of missteps, and clear. The storyline was okay. Some things were spelled out a bit too much, such as the characters being described as being happy about something. The writing is a bit plodding, using words and description in an ordinary, uncreative manner. Also, Riley makes just about all the significant decisions which seems a bit unrealistic.

Riley Reynolds Crushes Costume Day follows Riley, a non-binary fourth grader, as they prepare for their school’s Costume Day. The prompt for Costume Day is to “Dress Like Your Favorite Character,” and Riley can’t wait to start planning their costume! However, some of the other kids are having trouble coming up with costume ideas. Don’t worry, Riley is happy to use their creativity to help other kids prepare for Costume Day!

Riley Reynolds Crushes Costume Day was a joy to read! Riley loves to help their classmates, and their creativity and spirit shines through on every page. The pictures are a wonderful addition to keep kids engaged, and the language is perfect for early chapter book readers!

A great story that is easy to fall in love with and relate to with amazing art work. I love how easily all the LGBT+ definitions are explained and how adorably friendly every character is.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I want to say that I have not read any other books in this series, and don’t have to to read this one.I found this book to be cute, a fast read and great way to learn something about LGBTQ+ people. I liked Riley and the other characters. The story was original and fun. Would be great for a classroom or library.

The pictures that went with the book were simple yet well done. I really liked them.

Overall, I would read more in this series and by this author.

Unique characters, great writing, and a fun premise all add up to a special story. Bonus points for a good book with a shout-out to other good books!

This book was so sweet and perfect! I really enjoyed the style of storytelling and it was an amazing book. I totally recommend it to you!

I really loved the comic strip style of this book at the start of the chapters. The illustrations were bright and the text was easy to read. This is a great book to introduce young readers to the concepts of gender through Riley, a non-binary character, as well as their teacher Mx. Aude. Riley has to come up with a fun costume idea for Costume Day, and is stumped about all the different options. Riley has to work together with their friends to make the costumes. I also enjoyed the writing prompts and discussion questions at the end of the book, to further enhance a reader's experience of the book.

I requested and received an ARC on Netgalley. Thank you to Stone Arch Books.

Oh how i loved it, an how i wish i had a physical book to read to my kids. They mention « The prince and The Knight » a book that my 5yo love and that i had read for my kids at work for Valentine’s day theme.
This book is about Riley, who they are, what they love. I loved seeing how Riley started to give their opinion and helping other kids at school coming up with ideas on what do to for costume day. I also loved the way Riley question themselves when they realized others are coming to them for ideas. They took the time to learn what the other person like, the pertinent information in order to help them come up with something that they would like to wear. Instead of giving their opinions and telling others what to wear, Riley help them find out. This is a +++ in childhood development. Such a great example.
I loved the fact that we had definition at the start of the books to better understand labels, and word that most kids might not understand. I also adore the question at the end of the books.
Riley gender wasn’t the main focus of the book but rather the adventure leading to Costume day. It gives me so much hope seeing book like this being written and available for lgbtq+ people. We love seeing a positive environment where we can all be accepted for who we are and love.
As an childhood educator who is queer herself i was so happy. I will pick it up in English so we can read at bedtime but also please please if we can have it in french( we are a francophone family and i know my kids will adore the book)

I was immediately drawn to this book because of its depicts the life of a nonbinary fourth grader named Riley. As someone who is non-binary and genderqueer, I always feel a jump of excitement when I come across children's books with representation of people like me.

So, let's dive into it!

The book begins with a quick introduction of Riley by sharing the things they love in addition to announcing their gender identity. The introduction is followed by Riley's teacher, Mx. Aude, who provides definitions of some LGBTQ+ terms young readers and parents may be unfamiliar with.

Plotwise, the story follows young Riley and their friends as they prepare for Dress Like Your Favorite Character Day. It's a peek into Riley's life that is full of humor and good fun. Over the course of seven chapters, we see Riley and their friends pick out what costumes they'd like to wear, casually confront binary gender roles, create their costumes, and finally reveal their finished costumes on the big day!

I enjoyed reading this latest installment of the Riley Reynolds Series. It's a wonderful chapter book for readers in grades 1-4. Additionally, the book includes writing prompts and discussion questions to engage your little reader at the end of the story.

This book follows a non-binary elementary schooler named Riley Reynolds who’s getting ready for costume day at their school, along with their friends.

I love seeing a children’s book with a non-binary character, and loved that the librarian was also non-binary,

The kids were so supportive of each other and I loved how much Riley wanted to help their friends.

There was a little intro section explaining non-binary and queer identifies, which I appreciated! There was one thing I noticed - when it talked about the LGBTQ+ acronym, it only mentioned gender identity but this acronym is about more than just that - and saying that these are just a few of the ways people can describe their gender is confusing because lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, etc are not used to describe gender.

I am so happy that we are getting more children’s stories with LGBTQ+ characters, especially non-binary characters,

rating: 4/5 stars

This is a sweet and fun children's story about Riley and their friends wanting to dress up like their favorite character. No one questions each other's choices and everyone is supportive of each other. I loved that Riley is non-binary and no one cares. They're just a normal child. I think is a wonderful book to add to anyone's collection.

I can't wait to add this to my future classroom library!

I absolutely loved this! The combination of text story and images is a fantastic touch to add some color and whimsy to the tale. Reading a younger aimed book about a non-binary main character was so incredibly refreshing and it put such a great perspective on identity. Not everything has to be some big over complicated process, as Riley said "I dont have to be a boy or a girl. I can just be me!"

Representation is so important from a young age as we really do start learning more about ourselves and the world around us with an innocent open mind. Positive representation can be life changing for children as it can not only teach them about themselves, but teach them about the people around them and how to better understand and accept the differences we all may have. I wish books like this had been around when I was young!

Ok, I loved Riley. It’s a great book for children to know a non-binary person.
Well executed. So gorge.
👌😍🥰
It was fun to read,

Riley Reynolds
I just finished reading this amazing early chapter book by Jay Albee. Jay Albee is actually a joint pen name for a team of author and illustrators, Jen Breach and J. Anthony. The book I read was Riley Reynolds Crushes Costume Day, and is one of at least four books in the series. The story centres around Riley, a nonbinary 4th grader, and their friends/classmates as they prepare for a costume party at school. While the story features several diverse and LGBTQ+ characters it is really a story for kids about a kid being a kid. As a teacher, I know how badly my colleagues and I just want diverse stories that are not about being diverse, ie. overcoming gender stereotypes, dealing with the emotion of transitioning, etc. We know how important those books are too, but we really just want a bunch of books that feature diverse characters and give students an opportunity to see themselves represented in the books they are reading.

This book is divided into 7 chapters and each chapter has a graphic novel style set of pictures at the end. The book ends with discussion questions, writing prompts and information about the creators and starts with a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms. I think this book (and series) offers a great opportunity for young readers to learn about LGBTQ+ people and enjoy a short chapter book at the same time. I look forward to purchasing this series for my Grade 3 classroom in the future!

I am so appreciative of Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this awesome book! I can't wait to share my opinions with my teaching partners and colleagues! I know they will also want to get their hands on these books for their students too.

I’d like to thank the publishers for sending me an Arc of the book through NetGalley!

Something I wish I had more of when I was growing up, is books with queer representation, now at the end of my teenage years, it fills my heart with joy as I read these books. This is one of those books.

This book makes it easy to fall in love with it. It has shorter chapters and cute illustrations that make you want to wish that it never ends. It also refers to one of my favorite books, Melissa's story which made me feel like on the in of an inside joke.

This book does a wonderful job of breaking down Queerness in an easily understandable way for children to understand. I also love how Riley being nonbinary is mentioned but isn't stressed on as much. This would give a nonbinary kid out there some sort of comfort and a sense of normalcy.

This book filled in a gap of my life that I didn't know existed and I think that everyone should read this.

*Thank you to NetGallery and Capstone for the eARC of this book*

TW: None.
Note: I am a non-binary person

This is a simply charming book about a great kid named Riley and a peek into their life at home and school. It is fully of heart, humour, and brilliant interactions. I loved all the fun costume ideas and how all the kids ended up making their ideas come to life.

As a non-binary librarian who used the Mx honourific, it was so personal for me to see myself on these pages with Mx. Aude the school librarian. Not only is young Riley flourishing living as their true self, but seeing my adult self in the pages too? That meant the world to me.

This is an accessable, fun early read for children wanting to read chapter books, but that are small and easy enough to not overwhelm. The illustrations are charming, somehow new but still nostalgically comforting.

This was a great first chapter book with LGBTQIA+ representation. I really liked Mx. Aude's guide at the front of the book that explains some important vocabulary and distinctions related to identity. The main character, Riley, is non-binary. I loved that while Riley's gender identity was an important part of the story, it wasn't the main focus. Instead, Riley's interest in costuming and the class's preparations for dress-as-your-favorite-character day were the focal points. This is important because it shows that gender identity is not the only defining characteristic of people. There were also several side characters that were a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, which created a world inside the story that is reflective of the real world. This is a great addition to any first chapter book collection. There are very few books in this category with a child main character that is LGBTQIA+. This is a good choice for readers that are starting to read chapter books and that enjoy stories about friendship and school and/or that are interested in costuming and/or theater.