Gorgeously Me!

by Jonathan Van Ness, Kamala M. Nair (Illustrator)

A celebration of all the things that make you extraordinary, unique, and gorgeously YOU, by Jonathan Van Ness, New York Times bestselling author and star of the Netflix hit show Queer Eye .

I won't be afraid to stand out
or show the world what I'm all about.
I am exactly who I'm meant to be.
Perfectly, happily, gorgeously me!

Being true to yourself and showing the world who you are isn't always easy. Gorgeously Me assures young readers that they are loved and cherished, exactly as they are. A joyous, lyrical ode of pride and self love and a celebration of all of the things that make us exceptional. Perfect for fans of I Am Enough by Grace Byers and I Am Perfectly Designed by Karamo Brown.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, LGBT, Self Esteem, Mental Health, Friendship, Audiobook

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2024

About the author

Jonathan Van Ness is a Critics' Choice Award winning, Emmy nominated television personality, podcaster, and hairstylist to the stars. He can be seen starring on Netflix's Emmy Award-winning reboot series "Queer Eye," where he shines as the show's groomer, hair guru and self-care advocate. In addition to "Queer Eye," Jonathan stars on the Emmy-nominated series "Gay of Thrones," (Funny or Die) a witty social commentary series recapping HBO's "Game of Thrones." Launched in 2013, the series just finished its eighth and final season, and garnered Emmy nominations in 2016 and 2018 for 'Outstanding Short Form Variety Series.' Jonathan also continues to work on his passion project, his podcast "Getting Curious," a weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan is curious about. The podcast was listed as one of the Top Podcasts of 2018 by Time Magazine, and won the iHeart Radio Award for Best LGBTQ Podcast. 2018 was a breakthrough year for Jonathan, who realized two new passions - for the arts of stand-up comedy and figure skating. Jonathan is currently on his first worldwide comedy tour "Jonathan Van Ness: Road to Beijing" where he is going for comedy gold. Most recently, Jonathan announced that his revelatory memoir, OVER THE TOP, will be released in September 2019.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook!

Listened to this audiobook with my toddler at bedtime. Excellent rhyming story. This book encouraged kids to be their true self, to show their uniqueness, and to be them. The author started the story about him and how he's exactly who he was. He informed listeners that sometimes he's quiet and sometimes he's loud. He said he's proud being true to himself. Excellent story for everyone!

[Trio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew any childrens' book written by Jonathan Van Ness would be spectacular, and Gorgeously Me! took my breath away. Van Ness' messages of inclusion and celebrating our uniqueness had me blinking back happy tears by the end of this lovely picture book.

Kamala Nair's colorful and pleasing illustrations are stunning to look at, and kept me smiling the entire way through.

I see the audio version is performed by JVN himself, I can't wait for my library to get a copy of that :).

I highly recommend this marvelous book for absolutely everyone!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good message, but not sure why this book had to rhyme.

[Pine Reads Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It doesn’t matter what the world sees because I’m perfectly, happily, gorgeously me.”

Queer Eye’s Jonathon Van Ness teams up with talented artist Kamala Nair to deliver a joyous picture book that depicts the challenges and benefits of staying true to oneself and embracing the characteristics that make you unique. The book features a diverse group of children celebrating their triumphs and powering through their struggles with the help of their community of friends and loved ones. There is no linear plot; instead, the story highlights a collection of impactful childhood moments, from anxiously awaiting dance recitals to finding new friends at school. Gorgeously Me! strives to promote self-acceptance and finding joy in our differences.

This is a picture book that belongs on everyone’s shelf. Even as an adult reader, I found Gorgeously Me! very uplifting and motivational, as it reminded me that everyone brings something different and valuable into our world. I especially appreciated the emphasis on community and connection. Van Ness and Nair effectively depict the connection between love and strength, showing how acceptance and inclusion lead to people feeling safe being themselves and sharing what makes them special. Kamala Nair truly breathes life into this picture book, demonstrating how a beautiful, straightforward message can be incredibly elevated by graphics. Though there were relatively few words on each page, I found myself pouring over each image for a long time, appreciating the intricate details and bright colors. I loved the representation of children with different races, abilities, and interests in the illustrations. Though the characters were unnamed and not described in the text, they each had unique passions that were evident throughout the entire story. I fell in love with Nair’s illustrative style, and I will be on the lookout for more of her works in the future!

Overall, Gorgeously Me! is an empowering celebration of joy that would make a great recommendation for anyone, particularly young children who are just beginning to figure out their place in this world.

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[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously Me! is a book about teaching children to love themselves and have some self-esteem.

We live in a world where lots of people including older children and teenagers are influenced by others and social media. They are told they need to look a certain way, dress and act a certain way or they don't fit in and this book will help children learn from a young age that they don't need to feel any pressure and that being themselves and loving themselves tops everything else.

The book is colourful, it is told in a rhyming style and contains just a few words on each page, which is perfect for little ones and new readers.

Overall, this is a fabulous book and a must read if you want your child to stay true to themselves.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A timely reminder for our children that no matter how they look, what they like, what their family looks like, how they learn, or how they think, they are perfect, just the way they are. Gorgeously, happily, perfectly them. Jonathan Van Ness’s book is brought to life by Kamala Nair and includes gorgeous illustrations of children of all colors… including a very colorful, blue haired, little girl, a child needing walking braces, and a short haired child wearing a skirt that could either be a girl or boy or them. The last page also includes a great picture of the children being picked up from school that showcases three different types of families.

Recommended for ages 0-8 by SEPA Book Reviewers.

[Manar Salama · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that celebrates themes of acceptance, differences, uniqueness, and identity. This book takes us through the lesson that everyone is more alike than we think and that our differences are what bring us closer together rather than further apart. I would like to involve this book in my kindergarten to second-grade class because we live in a different time and everyone should love themselves and no one should feel like they cant embrace their true authentic self. Not only that, the book demonstrates how just because someone is different from you doesn't mean that it is wrong. We can learn a lot from one another and depend on one another as a community.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I almost teared up a bit due to the insanely sweet way this book was written, and I adored that this book was written in a way that made it feel like the author was talking directly to you, as if you were in the same room together. Additionally, that made the message sink in even more for me because everything about this book was so touching. Yet another great thing about this book was how well-rounded it was and how that was shown throughout. No two characters were the same, and everyone was so welcoming and accepting of the others. If readers take anything away from this review it should be this: READ. THIS. BOOK (and spread the love)!!!

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The message of empowerment in this picture book [2.5 for me], written by a celebrity, is more attractive than the digital artwork. There are plenty of readers to need to hear the words describing the different narrators' feelings and experiences. Being true to oneself and not worrying about trying to be like everyone else, leads to a healthy, happy life, according to the author, and it also means embracing yourself and your own unique qualities. The illustrations feature a diverse cast of youngsters, some who are struggling while others are self-confident.

[Jade Tarbania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so beautiful. As adults, we often lose our confidence. This book inspires you to be perfectly you. To celebrate what makes you unique. The art is gorgeous, just like the message, and my daughter loves this book more and more every time we read it.
I boop her nose every time I read the statement ”gorgeously me” and the last time we picked up this book, she did it to me. This book will continue to grow with her for years and is a good reminder for me as a new(ish) mom. Be true to yourself and lift each other up “and turn gorgeously me into gorgeously us.” ❤️

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

An adorably sweet book with wonderfully bright illustrations.

Told through flowing rhyme and a catchy refrain, the book encourages self-love and acceptance, teamwork, helping others, and individuality. Beautiful messages and a soothing rhythm.

The artwork is absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous details and colors.

A wonderful, heartfelt read.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book much better than Peanut Goes for the Gold. It rhymes, it has cadence, and the message is fantastic. You are gorgeous no matter who you are and us together are even more beautiful. I loved everything about this. The illustrations by Kamala are perfect. They show a diversity of peoples and abilities and thoughts and ideas and it just all together makes a great book for any age of kid.

[Storytorium · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pictures are STUNNING and the words are such a celebration of the uniqueness that every child brings to the world. Jonathan Van Ness' words that give permission to talk through your feelings are such a gift for kids. "I know exactly who I am supposed to be. Perfectly, happily, gorgeously me." stunning

[Tashanna Gilliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously Me is a really cute book teaching self love, acceptance, and pride within yourself. I think it's really important for children to love and accept themselves. The book is intended for grades (PreK-3rd) and told from the perspective of many children expressing their differences and accepting them.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be who you are: you're great.

This book is part mantra and part anthem. It's told in rhythmic rhyming lines, sharing empowering concepts about loving oneself, apologizing, being in community, and inclusivity. It's fun to read, and the illustrations are a delight. It got a bit redundant after a while, but that's okay for a book like this.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibrant and joyful! This beautiful book showcased some wonderfully diverse characters, but I think there were still some missed opportunities for inclusion; specifically, I would have loved to see more disability rep. There was one kid with a mobility device, but I would have loved to see a hearing aid, an insulin pump, alopecia, vitiligo, and/or any other types of diverse bodies.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inclusive and celebrating your own uniqueness, Gorgeously Me!, is a staple for any children’s bookshelf. Rhyming literary devices holds the attention for the younger audiences while they grow into the book. The illustrations portray different skin-tones, genders and bodily abilities in a beautiful and friendly way.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love promoting nonbinary authors and reading books that feature diverse characters - different races, abilities, body types, and more. Conflicted because of the many accounts that Van Ness is abusive to the people they work with, and I don't want to promote an abusive author.

[Mr. Lowton · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 Picture Book. American queer author. Indian illustrator.

What I liked: A positive message about being oneself (and proud of it). Gorgeous illustrations.

What I didn't like: The rhyme scheme (syllable count) was off, making it hard to read aloud without rehearsing; the positive message gets repetitive instead of expanded.

Overall, I think I still want to buy it because I was so convinced I'd love it...but I think after a few days of mourning, I'll move on.

[tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, sweet, beautifully illustrated book. The message is simple for children to comprehend, and could be uplifting for a child having a rough day, or affirmation for a kid who is discovering who they are. It is positive and bright, like Van Ness.

[Kristi Hovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd Parr is one of my favourite picture book authors, and this story reminds me of his in the best way. This is a fun, inclusive story about believing in onesself and in finding beauty in everything that that makes us all unique.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There can never be enough books about being proud and accepting of who you are. Love the simple rhyme and the bold, colorful illustrations.

[Donna Kirik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book with the simple yet profound message of just being yourself.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and so good for kids!!!

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like all the different cultures represented in this book. It also has a great message that our differences is what makes us unique and we should celebrate them.

[Manda Marigold · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's main messages include be your authentic self and love yourself for who you are. The illustrations in this book are perfectly adorable.

[Dawn Geiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, whimsical illustrations of diverse children. The words are lyrical and express an important message of acceptance and inclusion.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook for work project. Narrated by the author!

[Liese · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine and colorful. But not v memorable or a stand out in this category.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful title to add to shelves if you're looking for picture books that encourage self-acceptance and self-love!