Neither

by Airlie Anderson

In this colorful and touching story that celebrates what makes each of us unique, a little creature that's not quite a bird and not quite a bunny--it's "neither"--searches for a place to fit in.

In the Land of This and That, there are only two kinds: blue bunnies and yellow birds. But one day a funny green egg hatches, and a little creature that's not quite a bird and not quite a bunny pops out. It's neither!

Neither tries hard to fit in, but its bird legs aren't good for jumping like the other bunnies, and its fluffy tail isn't good for flapping like the other birds. It sets out to find a new home and discovers a very different place, one with endless colors and shapes and creatures of all kinds. But when a blue bunny and a yellow bird with some hidden differences of their own arrive, it's up to Neither to decide if they are welcome in the Land of All.

This colorful, simple, and touching story promotes diversity and offers a valuable lesson to the youngest of audiences: it is our differences that unite us.

Genres: Picture Books, LGBT, Childrens, Storytime, Animals, Fiction, Gender

34 pages, Hardcover

First published February 13, 2018

About the author

Airlie Anderson is the author and illustrator of Neither, Cat’s Colors, and Momo and Snap Are Not Friends. She grew up in California and spent a lot of time reading and drawing, as well as swimming and pretending to ride a horse. Her early influences were animation art, pop art, and comics.

​Airlie attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where she majored in illustration and focused on children’s books, a natural choice given her love for saturated color and expressive characters.

​She now lives in beautiful, underrated New Jersey with her family, and enjoys the close proximity to New York City (book country)! She is the recipient of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, and the Practical Preschool award.

Reviews

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time this book made me cry was the two page spread right about in the middle.

The second time it made me cry was at the end.

Seriously, a picture book that makes me cry - twice - is special.

My favorite picture book of 2018.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple little picture book with an important message. It's timely, showing children that being inclusive is a good thing.

When a little half-bird/half-bunny creature is born in the Land of This and That, they immediately identify themselves as Both. But the other birds and bunnies tell them that they can't be Both, so they must be Neither. Neither tries to play games with the others, but they can't play the bunny games (due to their bird traits) and they can't play the bird games (due to their bunny traits). Eventually the other birds and bunnies tell Neither they should go Somewhere Else. So Neither leaves and eventually ends up in the Land of All, where there are all sorts of diverse kinds of creatures, all playing happily together. They feel welcome there, because everybody is welcome there. A bird and a bunny with little differences of their own eventually show up in the Land of All because they don't fit in with the others of their kind. But they're welcome there, too.

I like the parallel between the fanciful creatures in the story and the diversity in our own world. The differences could be skin colour, religion, ability, or gender, and this book sends a strong message that it's better (and more fun) to be inclusive of everyone, not just those who are like you. The illustrations are simple, but effective (and awfully cute; I especially liked looking at the pictures of all the creative creatures in the Land of All).

This is a lovely picture book that I would definitely recommend, especially in today's climate of distrust and suspicion of those who might not be exactly the same as us. It's never too early to learn to accept and embrace differences.

Quotable moment:

[Tres Trece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casi lloro leyendo un libro álbum?
Casi lloro leyendo un libro álbum.

Ps. I'M NEITHER!

[Danika at The Lesbrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! In a world of yellow birds and blue bunnies, Neither (/Both) is hatched and is told that they don't belong in the world of This or That. But Neither finds the Land of All, where all are welcome.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious little green hybrid creature is born in the Land of This and That, but is neither a blue bunny nor a yellow bird, and finds it difficult to win acceptance. Eventually driven away by unkindness, Neither wanders about, eventually finding the Land of All, where everyone is welcome, no matter who they are...

Pairing a simple tale of diversity and acceptance with brightly-colored illustrations, Neither is a book that can be interpreted in a variety of ways, all of them useful in opening a discussion about tolerance. I have seen it described as a children's story about being transgender, although I think it works equally well as a story about either bisexuality, gender fluidity, or being biracial (the latter being how I interpreted the story, initially). Recommended to anyone looking for simple, cheerful stories about accepting others for who they are, rather than trying to put them in boxes.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd read this at a storytime about friendship or similar. However, it does make me a little sad because kids take things at face value, so at the end, you've either got to leave them believing there's an inclusive world out there somewhere, or you've got to explain "so life doesn't work this way right now and we grownups are counting on you to help change that." I'd have to really put some thought into how to discuss that in a not-discouraging way.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book so much!!! I loved the Land of All and all the different little doodles. I think this is a great message for kids who are experiencing the feeling of “otherness”, or “not quite enough”. Because there’s hope. And there’s a place out there where you belong. Just sometimes you have to travel and branch out in order to find it

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaac's visual interest 👀 (3 is top): untested
How good it is as a book for me to read aloud while breastfeeding 🍼 (3 is top): 🍼🍼🍼

I ADORE this book!! (And I had fun describing the pictures to Isaac.)

[Rereader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute, short, bare bones story about exclusion and finding where you belong. Colorful and fun, I'm sure many kids will enjoy this story.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book went down a treat with my advisory group - it's short and simple and quickly read but they immediately related to that feeling of being questioned about where you come from and trying to find a place where you belong!
#SEL #Belonging

[Ravenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Neither while reading an article aimed at Educators focused on children’s books that honor and represent people from all across the LGBT+ community. I was so happy to find this book because my partner identifies as genderless. They are, quite literally, neither. This is the first book that we’ve ever found that represented them so perfectly. I read it first to make sure it was respectful, and since I found the story of acceptance and love delightful and necessary, I bought a hardcover copy as a gift for them.

I’m happy to say they loved it, and as a person who identifies as genderless, they felt represented and seen. I can’t wait to share this beautiful story with my students in the future.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique animal, neither a bird or rabbit, is not accepted by the birds or the bunnies, because they are neither.

So Neither goes to the Land of All, where all sorts of unique animals are.

All are welcome in the Land of All, just as ALL should be welcome in the Land of This OR That.

A great social explanatory and identity supportive group for families and read aloud for kids. Adorable illustrations too!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is not at all subtle but I love it for its simplicity, accessibility, and carefree cheerfulness. Love the colors and the charming fantastical critters. It's applicable to so many conversations about about race, gender norms, and other issues of identity and diversity.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story of defying categories and accepting everyone simply charming.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. A great way to explain to children about being non-binary and not conforming to the standards of one gender. Uses the symbolism of this and that instead of boy and girl.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this vibrant and colorful picture book a cute little bird-rabbit - rabbit-bird? - birdit! - a cute little birdit is cast out from her home because she doesn't fit in with the birds or the rabbits, she is Neither (and Both). She journeys away from the Land of This or That to find the Lan of All, which is populated with a bunch of cute little combo animals, combimals if you will. This book reminded me of Dr. Seuss's The Sneetches and also of the animated film "The Point," but what it lacks in originality it makes up for with super colorful illustrations. A strong, positive, important message.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read a book for pride month this year, i felt like picking up a children’s book. Yes- really! Call me crazy, but i was just in the mood for something short and great for my reading goal. Hence this queer book called ‘Neither’. We look down upon a world with birds and bunnies, but is everything really as it seems? Suddenly a bird-bunny is born. The birds wont allow them to play with them, neither will the bunnies. Will everything be okay? You’ll have to read this short story to find out.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about those who don't fit in with everyone else because they're different. It's one of acceptance, tolerance, and appreciating everyone for those differences. If we're being honest about it - that includes all of us. Bright and cheery illustrations.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful example of inclusion and kindness. The story is simple yet impactful. The colors are bright and cheerful. The fact that Duval County has banned this book is pure insanity. It belongs in the library of every young child in the world.

[Kate Buechler]

good.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple way to show kids all kinds of different "people" and that all are accepted.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart. What a beautiful, simple, colorful and important story. I adore the Land of All. I’d decorate an entire classroom in it if I could. ❤️

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding board book with a message that you don’t have to fit in this or that box and there is a place for all.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this!!! great illustrations and a beautiful nuanced message

[Grunge SeaBunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute cute

[Alex Cassiopeia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

[Sundria (Sundi) McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Florida banned book, so we must read it.

[Shandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super duper sweet and cute and awesome!

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet little picture book about not being This or That but being Neither—or somewhere in between. 💜 I hadn’t read a picture book in a long time, and this was the perfect one to start with.

[Alexa Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had this read to us today in church and it was amazing.

I wish I had had this book 45 years ago.

Illustrations are beautiful and so full of color, too.