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Steven Universe: The Tale of Steven: An Illustrated Adaptation of “Change Your Mind"
Steven The Tale of Steven is the official picture-book adaptation of “Change Your Mind” by series creator Rebecca Sugar!
In 2019, Cartoon Network aired a pivotal episode in its Emmy- and Annie-nominated series Steven Universe : The hour-long special “Change Your Mind” revealed the highly anticipated culmination of Pink Diamond’s storyline.
Illustrated by Elle Michalka and Angie Wang, Steven The Tale of Steven is a companion book to the series, telling the story of “Change Your Mind” in the same style as New York Times bestseller The Answer.
Featuring an unusual and thought-provoking interactive format, readers will follow the story of Pink Diamond’s escape from Homeworld, Rose Quartz’s life on Earth, and the creation of Steven Universe, from multiple conflicting perspectives.
The Tale of Steven will be an irresistible keepsake for Steven Universe fans of all ages.
“Beneath the surface Tale of Steven is a wonderfully smart commentary on bias and perspective, and how different points of view can all color and reframe the same story.” —Gizmodo
In 2019, Cartoon Network aired a pivotal episode in its Emmy- and Annie-nominated series Steven Universe : The hour-long special “Change Your Mind” revealed the highly anticipated culmination of Pink Diamond’s storyline.
Illustrated by Elle Michalka and Angie Wang, Steven The Tale of Steven is a companion book to the series, telling the story of “Change Your Mind” in the same style as New York Times bestseller The Answer.
Featuring an unusual and thought-provoking interactive format, readers will follow the story of Pink Diamond’s escape from Homeworld, Rose Quartz’s life on Earth, and the creation of Steven Universe, from multiple conflicting perspectives.
The Tale of Steven will be an irresistible keepsake for Steven Universe fans of all ages.
“Beneath the surface Tale of Steven is a wonderfully smart commentary on bias and perspective, and how different points of view can all color and reframe the same story.” —Gizmodo
48 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2019
38 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Sugar
41 books318 followersRebecca Rea Sugar is an American animator, composer and director. She is best known for creating the Cartoon Network series Steven Universe, which has made her the first woman to independently create a series for the network
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 29, 2020
Beautiful to look at, but frustrating to read -- especially as an ebook -- as it demands you turn it upside down and sideways as three narratives separate, cross, and come into conflict. Definitely get this in paper if possible.
A little gem for Steven Universe completists, this is a picture book adaptation of Steven Universe Season Five, Episode 28, "Change Your Mind." Watch the entire show first or this will make little sense and spoil a major plot development in the series.
A little gem for Steven Universe completists, this is a picture book adaptation of Steven Universe Season Five, Episode 28, "Change Your Mind." Watch the entire show first or this will make little sense and spoil a major plot development in the series.
November 5, 2019
"Dedicated to Trans and Gender-Expansive kids"
Rebecca Sugar is such a fantastic human being. Not only creating Steven Universe, a show that has really helped me and thousands of others, both children and adults, to become more accepting of people of all backgrounds, as well as how and who they love, but creating all the songs introduced in it, and now, this book.
Through Steven and his relationships with the Gems and people of Beach City, he, (and us) have learned to accept you as you are, just as Steven has to learn he is not his mom. "I have always been me."
This book has simply stunning artwork, such beautiful prints of all the Gems and Steven. It has alternating points of view of Pink Diamond, White Diamond and Steven, read in the book upside down, sideways, and rightways, although, technically, is there a "right" way to read a book? (and since Japanese manga is read totally different to the west, the answer is no!)
If you love Steven Universe, this will be a lovely addition to your bookshelf. If you have little kiddos who love Steven, they'll love the beautiful illustrations and the unconventional way to read this! It may also be a great way to introduce new kiddos to the world of Steven Universe :)
Rebecca Sugar is such a fantastic human being. Not only creating Steven Universe, a show that has really helped me and thousands of others, both children and adults, to become more accepting of people of all backgrounds, as well as how and who they love, but creating all the songs introduced in it, and now, this book.
Through Steven and his relationships with the Gems and people of Beach City, he, (and us) have learned to accept you as you are, just as Steven has to learn he is not his mom. "I have always been me."
This book has simply stunning artwork, such beautiful prints of all the Gems and Steven. It has alternating points of view of Pink Diamond, White Diamond and Steven, read in the book upside down, sideways, and rightways, although, technically, is there a "right" way to read a book? (and since Japanese manga is read totally different to the west, the answer is no!)
If you love Steven Universe, this will be a lovely addition to your bookshelf. If you have little kiddos who love Steven, they'll love the beautiful illustrations and the unconventional way to read this! It may also be a great way to introduce new kiddos to the world of Steven Universe :)
February 15, 2021
AIN QUE FOFURA! ADOREI O conceito de diferentes narrativas sob diferentes pontos de vista, e as artes são lindas demais!
October 14, 2019
I recently caught up to the tv series, but I haven't yet watched the movie. This children's picture book adapts Steven's story as revealed in the finale to the tv series. The artwork is simple and beautiful. The design is so creative, having the reader physically move the book to read the different narrator's stories. Just like the tv show, this book gives young readers great things to think about when it comes to perspective and identity.
I give this book a 5/5. If you are a fan of the show, you will enjoy this book. If you know a young person who is obsessed with this show, this would make a great gift. For ALL ages!
I give this book a 5/5. If you are a fan of the show, you will enjoy this book. If you know a young person who is obsessed with this show, this would make a great gift. For ALL ages!
October 9, 2019
The Tale of Steven is a wonderful, timeless-feeling storybook about identity, authority, and finding your own way. It’s got an innovative design that requires the reader to turn the book upside-down, sideways, and right-side-up to get the whole story, sometimes all on the same spread of art and text, and as we come to find out ultimately, this “tale of Steven” really is STEVEN’S story.
We begin with White Diamond, matriarch of the Gem homeworld, setting the stage–and not only does she frame the other Diamonds uncharitably (especially the littlest Diamond, Pink), she even sets the tone by admonishing THE READER straight away, scolding us to turn the book her way to read her words. (We must turn the book upside-down to read her perspective. Very nice.)
As we listen to White Diamond tell us how ridiculous Pink Diamond is and frame her as “impossible to understand,” we also see exactly why Pink felt driven to leave her home. White apparently appointed herself the authority on keeping Pink in her place, and we’re treated to White’s huge pale hands holding little Pink Diamond in her tiny pink throne. White’s perspective is proper, and she is to be praised, you see, for understanding that Pink’s desires and attributes are not worthwhile and need to be forced out of her. Pink is shown as having run away to Earth and reinventing herself as a new Gem: Rose Quartz. Suddenly, we are able to turn the book sideways and see what she’s thinking too. (White does NOT approve.)
The Earth, where Rose Quartz is allowed to love herself and love her surroundings, is simultaneously called “grotesque” by White, and we’re seeing the same planet through two sets of eyes. White sees Rose as “stubborn” and “absurd,” while Rose just gives us an aside about not listening to White if we don’t want to and giving us a choice to read the book her way. As Rose continues to depict rainbows and falling in love with a human–Greg Universe–White is getting angrier. She shrieks, “You’re ruining my story!” Rose, rightly, replies, “This isn’t your story.”
Soon, Rose has bequeathed her Gem–the center of her being–to her half-human son, Steven, with the consequence of ceasing to be herself. Baby Steven appears with his father and Rose Quartz’s three companions–Amethyst, Garnet, and Pearl. White Diamond finally abandons trying to narrate this story, escaping with a vindictive comment and an attempt to frame Rose as simply Pink Diamond hiding “inside an unwitting creature.” Rose’s perspective expresses that she wanted her son to experience the love and acceptance she never received. And then, Steven’s perspective pops onto the scene. We can now turn the book fully right-side-up to read his tale.
As the story slides fully into Steven’s perspective, Rose’s hopes for him still line up on the sides of the pages, longing for him to experience kindness, to never know the awfulness she went through on Homeworld, to never have to feel the criticism issued by the other Diamonds, and to be able to tell his own story one day. Steven reflects on Rose’s influence on his life, how he’s heard about her and the more truth he’s discovered the more everything frightens him. There are many perspectives, he recognizes. Perhaps there is more than one way to read the story.
White’s perspective, upside-down now, returns alongside all this. She suggests “Pink” has come crawling back to turn the world the “right” way again, and she’s puzzled by Steven’s appearance, but she’s determined to rescue Pink from herself by separating Steven from his Gem. Meanwhile, Steven’s been wondering what his relationship is to Pink and Rose–is she inside him? Is he actually her? What’s real?
But they all learn the truth when Steven’s Gem reveals that he was also Steven inside there. All along, he was himself and no one else. This is, and has always been, his story, and he has been right about who he is.
Several wordless frames depict Steven’s two aspects finding each other, reconnecting, and becoming one again. Newly confident in who he is and having asserted as much in the face of crushing authority, Steven declares, “This way feels right to me.” The orientation of the book AND the definition of himself are the focus here, and for the first time, White begins to consider that her perspective was the wrong side up in someone else’s story.
Steven closes by claiming the book as his own (writing his own name in the “This Book Belongs To” space, which is superimposed over a Diamond Authority symbol with the Pink Diamond on top instead of on the bottom). The end dedication is made out “To Trans & Gender-Expansive Kids.”
To reflect on this sentiment and the rest of the book, I will say that a large portion of the Steven Universe fandom already recognized some threads of a trans allegory in the animation this is based on. Steven, though he is not specifically depicted as a confirmed trans character in the show, does not demonstrate or seem to experience toxic masculinity in association with his quest to be powerful, and has no qualms about using symbolism, iconography, and apparel that is more commonly associated in today’s Western society with women and girls (e.g., the color pink, flower symbolism, protective and defensive rather than aggressive and offensive behaviors, wearing jewelry and dresses occasionally without it being a gag). His assertion that he is Steven and not Pink Diamond or Rose Quartz has many parallels with a common trans narrative–including pronouns that the Diamonds refused to respect–even though it is also its own thing since human beings do not have to defend that they are not literally their mother.
They do, however, frequently struggle with authorities in their lives “correcting” them on who and what they are “for their own good,” brushing off the seriousness of the misery it causes, and these children do find themselves forced to wear clothes, use names, and adhere to roles that do not match who they are. They even sometimes hear authorities mourn the “loss” of a different-gender version of them and accuse the child of being selfish for wanting to manifest their truth instead of being the son or daughter the parent thought they had.
It is my deepest hope that authorities like this can learn to turn the book around.
It is so important for children to learn that they ARE the authority on their identity, and while some well-meaning authorities in their lives may frame their identity as a phase or a fake, they do not have to accept this view of the world, or even that it comes from a loving place. White Diamond did not sound like a stern but caring figure to me. She sounded like a tyrant who is convinced of her own correctness, determined to gaslight and shame Pink Diamond into becoming the person SHE wanted. Love is listening. Love is nurturing. Love is seeing pleasure and pain and letting those things guide you in supporting a happy existence. Kids whose gender is complicated and young people who develop misunderstood identities need books like this to center them in their own stories and empower them to show others how to read their book.
Except for the section of the book where Steven’s organic self and Gem self are separated and re-combine, the message is solid for readers who have not watched the show. But because of how important that wordless series of panels is and how much background you actually have to have to understand what’s happening there, I recommend this book primarily for fans of the show who have seen “Change Your Mind” and the episodes that support it. The other depictions are more powerful and illuminating for those who have context from the show also, but the main purpose of the book can be readily understood without that background.
If you haven’t seen the show, all you need to know is that Steven is a hybrid Gem/human who has a gemstone in his human body, and it gives him superhuman powers. Gem characters generate a body from their Gem, while Steven’s body is organic and presumably NOT generated from the Gem. White Diamond removed Steven’s Gem from his belly, expecting Pink Diamond to take form out of the Gem. She thought his organic half was just a human that the Gem was stuck in. But instead, a Pink Steven emerged and went back to his organic self to merge again, proving that he is Steven, not someone else, through and through. And he truly loves and knows himself.
A couple other notes fans of the show might enjoy: White Diamond’s hypothesis that Pink Diamond was “hiding in an unwitting creature” is really interesting–she knew what Steven was but believed he was just a normal human hosting a Gem. Interesting. White’s disdain toward Yellow and Blue for “spoiling” Pink is an interesting addition to what we know about her, too. Pink is pictured standing on her hands on her throne, upside-down, which is interesting since it’s both “silly” and an expression of her right-side-up perspective (since, when we obey White, we’re reading the book upside-down!). White’s commentary that she kept Pink in line is also interesting, considering we’ve seen way more of how Yellow and Blue treated her and none of that was very nice either (yet they’re the “nice” ones in this story, indulging her even though we know they abused her). There’s a really cute image of Rose lounging on the beach with Greg in what looks like a swimsuit. Connie is in a frame with the Gems looking through a telescope. And there’s a frame with Garnet holding pink and blue butterflies.
Inventive, beautiful, moving, and so necessary. Buy a copy. Let kids turn the book around.
We begin with White Diamond, matriarch of the Gem homeworld, setting the stage–and not only does she frame the other Diamonds uncharitably (especially the littlest Diamond, Pink), she even sets the tone by admonishing THE READER straight away, scolding us to turn the book her way to read her words. (We must turn the book upside-down to read her perspective. Very nice.)
As we listen to White Diamond tell us how ridiculous Pink Diamond is and frame her as “impossible to understand,” we also see exactly why Pink felt driven to leave her home. White apparently appointed herself the authority on keeping Pink in her place, and we’re treated to White’s huge pale hands holding little Pink Diamond in her tiny pink throne. White’s perspective is proper, and she is to be praised, you see, for understanding that Pink’s desires and attributes are not worthwhile and need to be forced out of her. Pink is shown as having run away to Earth and reinventing herself as a new Gem: Rose Quartz. Suddenly, we are able to turn the book sideways and see what she’s thinking too. (White does NOT approve.)
The Earth, where Rose Quartz is allowed to love herself and love her surroundings, is simultaneously called “grotesque” by White, and we’re seeing the same planet through two sets of eyes. White sees Rose as “stubborn” and “absurd,” while Rose just gives us an aside about not listening to White if we don’t want to and giving us a choice to read the book her way. As Rose continues to depict rainbows and falling in love with a human–Greg Universe–White is getting angrier. She shrieks, “You’re ruining my story!” Rose, rightly, replies, “This isn’t your story.”
Soon, Rose has bequeathed her Gem–the center of her being–to her half-human son, Steven, with the consequence of ceasing to be herself. Baby Steven appears with his father and Rose Quartz’s three companions–Amethyst, Garnet, and Pearl. White Diamond finally abandons trying to narrate this story, escaping with a vindictive comment and an attempt to frame Rose as simply Pink Diamond hiding “inside an unwitting creature.” Rose’s perspective expresses that she wanted her son to experience the love and acceptance she never received. And then, Steven’s perspective pops onto the scene. We can now turn the book fully right-side-up to read his tale.
As the story slides fully into Steven’s perspective, Rose’s hopes for him still line up on the sides of the pages, longing for him to experience kindness, to never know the awfulness she went through on Homeworld, to never have to feel the criticism issued by the other Diamonds, and to be able to tell his own story one day. Steven reflects on Rose’s influence on his life, how he’s heard about her and the more truth he’s discovered the more everything frightens him. There are many perspectives, he recognizes. Perhaps there is more than one way to read the story.
White’s perspective, upside-down now, returns alongside all this. She suggests “Pink” has come crawling back to turn the world the “right” way again, and she’s puzzled by Steven’s appearance, but she’s determined to rescue Pink from herself by separating Steven from his Gem. Meanwhile, Steven’s been wondering what his relationship is to Pink and Rose–is she inside him? Is he actually her? What’s real?
But they all learn the truth when Steven’s Gem reveals that he was also Steven inside there. All along, he was himself and no one else. This is, and has always been, his story, and he has been right about who he is.
Several wordless frames depict Steven’s two aspects finding each other, reconnecting, and becoming one again. Newly confident in who he is and having asserted as much in the face of crushing authority, Steven declares, “This way feels right to me.” The orientation of the book AND the definition of himself are the focus here, and for the first time, White begins to consider that her perspective was the wrong side up in someone else’s story.
Steven closes by claiming the book as his own (writing his own name in the “This Book Belongs To” space, which is superimposed over a Diamond Authority symbol with the Pink Diamond on top instead of on the bottom). The end dedication is made out “To Trans & Gender-Expansive Kids.”
To reflect on this sentiment and the rest of the book, I will say that a large portion of the Steven Universe fandom already recognized some threads of a trans allegory in the animation this is based on. Steven, though he is not specifically depicted as a confirmed trans character in the show, does not demonstrate or seem to experience toxic masculinity in association with his quest to be powerful, and has no qualms about using symbolism, iconography, and apparel that is more commonly associated in today’s Western society with women and girls (e.g., the color pink, flower symbolism, protective and defensive rather than aggressive and offensive behaviors, wearing jewelry and dresses occasionally without it being a gag). His assertion that he is Steven and not Pink Diamond or Rose Quartz has many parallels with a common trans narrative–including pronouns that the Diamonds refused to respect–even though it is also its own thing since human beings do not have to defend that they are not literally their mother.
They do, however, frequently struggle with authorities in their lives “correcting” them on who and what they are “for their own good,” brushing off the seriousness of the misery it causes, and these children do find themselves forced to wear clothes, use names, and adhere to roles that do not match who they are. They even sometimes hear authorities mourn the “loss” of a different-gender version of them and accuse the child of being selfish for wanting to manifest their truth instead of being the son or daughter the parent thought they had.
It is my deepest hope that authorities like this can learn to turn the book around.
It is so important for children to learn that they ARE the authority on their identity, and while some well-meaning authorities in their lives may frame their identity as a phase or a fake, they do not have to accept this view of the world, or even that it comes from a loving place. White Diamond did not sound like a stern but caring figure to me. She sounded like a tyrant who is convinced of her own correctness, determined to gaslight and shame Pink Diamond into becoming the person SHE wanted. Love is listening. Love is nurturing. Love is seeing pleasure and pain and letting those things guide you in supporting a happy existence. Kids whose gender is complicated and young people who develop misunderstood identities need books like this to center them in their own stories and empower them to show others how to read their book.
Except for the section of the book where Steven’s organic self and Gem self are separated and re-combine, the message is solid for readers who have not watched the show. But because of how important that wordless series of panels is and how much background you actually have to have to understand what’s happening there, I recommend this book primarily for fans of the show who have seen “Change Your Mind” and the episodes that support it. The other depictions are more powerful and illuminating for those who have context from the show also, but the main purpose of the book can be readily understood without that background.
If you haven’t seen the show, all you need to know is that Steven is a hybrid Gem/human who has a gemstone in his human body, and it gives him superhuman powers. Gem characters generate a body from their Gem, while Steven’s body is organic and presumably NOT generated from the Gem. White Diamond removed Steven’s Gem from his belly, expecting Pink Diamond to take form out of the Gem. She thought his organic half was just a human that the Gem was stuck in. But instead, a Pink Steven emerged and went back to his organic self to merge again, proving that he is Steven, not someone else, through and through. And he truly loves and knows himself.
A couple other notes fans of the show might enjoy: White Diamond’s hypothesis that Pink Diamond was “hiding in an unwitting creature” is really interesting–she knew what Steven was but believed he was just a normal human hosting a Gem. Interesting. White’s disdain toward Yellow and Blue for “spoiling” Pink is an interesting addition to what we know about her, too. Pink is pictured standing on her hands on her throne, upside-down, which is interesting since it’s both “silly” and an expression of her right-side-up perspective (since, when we obey White, we’re reading the book upside-down!). White’s commentary that she kept Pink in line is also interesting, considering we’ve seen way more of how Yellow and Blue treated her and none of that was very nice either (yet they’re the “nice” ones in this story, indulging her even though we know they abused her). There’s a really cute image of Rose lounging on the beach with Greg in what looks like a swimsuit. Connie is in a frame with the Gems looking through a telescope. And there’s a frame with Garnet holding pink and blue butterflies.
Inventive, beautiful, moving, and so necessary. Buy a copy. Let kids turn the book around.
August 28, 2020
Gorgeous illustrations. Gimmicky, but I think the gimmick works and serves the story well.
April 23, 2024
With four (?) different POVs at the same time (you have to turn the books to different sides), this book is absolutely confusing. I don’t understand anything.
Or I’m probably just stupid.
The writing style can be considered unique and I’m all for it, but I haven’t watched the series to know any of the characters to grasp the story fully.
Or I’m probably just stupid.
The writing style can be considered unique and I’m all for it, but I haven’t watched the series to know any of the characters to grasp the story fully.
December 16, 2021
At the end of the day, this book is all about self-love. It’s about Steven learning to love himself and write his own story.
There’s possibly some minor spoilers in here, but nothing too major. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys watching Steven Universe.
There’s possibly some minor spoilers in here, but nothing too major. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys watching Steven Universe.
October 9, 2019
I love how the different storytellers in this book (White, Rose, Steven) each are printed so that you hold the book in a different direction/orientation according to how the character's perspective is printed on the page. I like then how they intersect in the center. Very clever design. I like how it breaks the fourth wall and calls out the "book-ness" of the physical book. My 9 year old says "Very pretty book!" and that White Diamond's commentary throughout was the best part, she was laughing hysterically each time White popped up making commentary.
Might be confusing if a person doesn't already know the story? My daughter read it independently and it took her a bit to figure out the page orientations, she started a bit confused, but I can imagine that if the parent/storyteller is guiding the reading it would not be an issue, much like with "Press Here" or "This Book Ate My Dog."
I am reviewing this as a fan and a parent of a nine year old. For us, this was a treasured retelling for this misty-eyed fan family.
Might be confusing if a person doesn't already know the story? My daughter read it independently and it took her a bit to figure out the page orientations, she started a bit confused, but I can imagine that if the parent/storyteller is guiding the reading it would not be an issue, much like with "Press Here" or "This Book Ate My Dog."
I am reviewing this as a fan and a parent of a nine year old. For us, this was a treasured retelling for this misty-eyed fan family.
October 25, 2019
3.25 stars, rounded up b/c Steven Universe!
Ok, I loved the idea of this book much more than the reality. A picture book of Steven for young kids? Yes please! Telling stories from different perspectives by [spoiler redacted]? Yes please!
But in the end, I think this would be a very hard book to read aloud to kids and have them be able to process what’s going on. Maybe I’m wrong... I’ve read my share of picture books out loud, but maybe this would be easier than I anticipate. And if a child is already familiar with the characters and the story, I think they’d be fine.
Ok, I loved the idea of this book much more than the reality. A picture book of Steven for young kids? Yes please! Telling stories from different perspectives by [spoiler redacted]? Yes please!
But in the end, I think this would be a very hard book to read aloud to kids and have them be able to process what’s going on. Maybe I’m wrong... I’ve read my share of picture books out loud, but maybe this would be easier than I anticipate. And if a child is already familiar with the characters and the story, I think they’d be fine.
April 23, 2022
MAJOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE ENDING OF STEVEN UNIVERSE - THIS IS LITERALLY A RETELLING OF THE FINALE
Beautiful art and a really sweet way of showing the overarching tale of Steven. Recommend reading it if you've seen ALL of Steven Universe, but not necessarily something to keep forever
Beautiful art and a really sweet way of showing the overarching tale of Steven. Recommend reading it if you've seen ALL of Steven Universe, but not necessarily something to keep forever
July 3, 2024
An adorable illustrated adaptation of a pivotal Steven Universe episode! This is my first Steven Universe and I really enjoyed it despite its confusing use of multiple POVs. Can't wait to collect more of these gems <3
October 12, 2019
I just love Steven Universe so much! I love this concept and of course the story! I will never get enough Steven Universe.
October 23, 2019
Love the play with design, filing this one in case I ever teach another visual language course.
October 9, 2019
This is another storybook based on an idea from the television show Steven Universe. It's lovingly illustrated in a classic fairy tale style and relayed with so much love, but this simple depiction of Steven discovering who he really is is actually quite nuanced! The book contains three perspectives: That of White Diamond, a tyrannical member of an alien royal family who despises the "silly" antics of the littlest Diamond, Pink; that of Rose Quartz, a new identity Pink Diamond developed after running away from Homeworld to affirm her reality and enjoy her life on her terms; and that of Steven, Rose's half-human son who unexpectedly finds the world holding its breath waiting to find out if he's secretly Pink Diamond all along.
White Diamond rebukes the reader into turning the book upside-down to see her perspective, which we do for a while, and then Rose Quartz's ideas start edging in on the sides. White objects but Rose reaffirms that she does not have to listen and neither do we. We can read the book her way if we choose. And when Steven shows up, we turn the book right-side-up to read what he has to say. With everyone so confused and invested in his identity, some of whom even try to tell him who he is against his instincts, Steven despairs a bit, but a magical experience in which he stands up to authority allows him to fully claim himself on his terms.
The book is dedicated "to trans and gender-expansive kids," making it very clear that despite the fantasy concept, the parallels to authority figures' place in affirming their kids' identities (and the IMPORTANCE of it!!) are intentional.
Please pick up this beautiful book to learn what those messages sound like and why we need to listen to other people when they are telling us who they are.
White Diamond rebukes the reader into turning the book upside-down to see her perspective, which we do for a while, and then Rose Quartz's ideas start edging in on the sides. White objects but Rose reaffirms that she does not have to listen and neither do we. We can read the book her way if we choose. And when Steven shows up, we turn the book right-side-up to read what he has to say. With everyone so confused and invested in his identity, some of whom even try to tell him who he is against his instincts, Steven despairs a bit, but a magical experience in which he stands up to authority allows him to fully claim himself on his terms.
The book is dedicated "to trans and gender-expansive kids," making it very clear that despite the fantasy concept, the parallels to authority figures' place in affirming their kids' identities (and the IMPORTANCE of it!!) are intentional.
Please pick up this beautiful book to learn what those messages sound like and why we need to listen to other people when they are telling us who they are.
August 19, 2020
An extremely spoilery picture book adaptation of the tv show. Even the blurb on the back is a major spoiler! I don't think this book is something that would make any sense to someone who hasn't seen the series - the characters are thinly introduced, and the climax is a wordless depiction of a very emotional moment near the close of the show.
The structure will also be too confusing for most kids, particularly ones too young to read on their own - I can't imagine how you would read this book to a kid. I guess you've have to do three different voices, to cover the three perspectives the book is being told from.
With all that said, though, this is a very prettily assembled book, with gorgeous illustrations and an intentionally disorienting narrative structure that conveys Steven's tumultuous and confusing journey to self-discovery. A lovely book that, despite its appearance, is really targeted more at adults.
The structure will also be too confusing for most kids, particularly ones too young to read on their own - I can't imagine how you would read this book to a kid. I guess you've have to do three different voices, to cover the three perspectives the book is being told from.
With all that said, though, this is a very prettily assembled book, with gorgeous illustrations and an intentionally disorienting narrative structure that conveys Steven's tumultuous and confusing journey to self-discovery. A lovely book that, despite its appearance, is really targeted more at adults.
December 3, 2019
Short, sweet little book that kids could enjoy as an adaptation of the episode "Change Your Mind," but that adults can recognize for its very grown-up themes of acceptance. The art style is very "traditional fairy tale-esque" and perfect for the story being told. Plus, the layout--which has the reader literally turning the book in different directions to represent the different sides of the story--is a clever idea that is perfectly executed. Basically, if you're a fan of the cartoon, you'll enjoy this very quick, but creative, read.
December 11, 2019
Leave it to Rebecca Sugar to come up with a beautiful way to show there are multiple "sides to a story", different perspectives to look at it from, and the opportunity for people decide which way feels best for them and to show others there is a different way to look at things.
Steven Universe is one of the most beautiful things to ever exist in my lifetime. There is so much to learn and feel quite watching the show. It is something I will love and cherish for as long as I live and I hope future generations know about it and watch the best vintage show ever ;-)
Steven Universe is one of the most beautiful things to ever exist in my lifetime. There is so much to learn and feel quite watching the show. It is something I will love and cherish for as long as I live and I hope future generations know about it and watch the best vintage show ever ;-)
December 29, 2019
I've been a fan of this show for quite a while, and while I don't have much to say about this book in particular, I can say that it does embody most aspects the show tries to exemplify - living your story in a way that makes sense to you, even if it means challenging the implied rules that others have set around you.
"Maybe there's no one right way to read this book", Steven remarks on one page, as you twist and turn the book in your hands to see all sides of the story, and by then, you know he's right.
"Maybe there's no one right way to read this book", Steven remarks on one page, as you twist and turn the book in your hands to see all sides of the story, and by then, you know he's right.
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October 20, 2019Queer content: there’s nothing in here that reads as absolutely inherently queer. Readers familiar with the source material and creator will know the queer background, however.
Unrelated, this is a difficult picture book to read with the multiple stories told on the same pages just in different boxes and directions, so it took me four read-throughs just focusing on one at a time to figure out what was going on, and the constantly having to reorient the book was frustrating.
Unrelated, this is a difficult picture book to read with the multiple stories told on the same pages just in different boxes and directions, so it took me four read-throughs just focusing on one at a time to figure out what was going on, and the constantly having to reorient the book was frustrating.
December 22, 2019
This book is beautiful!
Great for fans of the show! The way this book is set up is amazing - I especially love the pages that are narrated by Steven, Pink, and White so we get each perspective and literally see the story from different angles. I especially love that this book is dedicated to trans and gender-expansive kids, it is truly the icing to a beautiful book full of metaphors about finding yourself.
My only complaint about this book is that it's so short.
Great for fans of the show! The way this book is set up is amazing - I especially love the pages that are narrated by Steven, Pink, and White so we get each perspective and literally see the story from different angles. I especially love that this book is dedicated to trans and gender-expansive kids, it is truly the icing to a beautiful book full of metaphors about finding yourself.
My only complaint about this book is that it's so short.
January 11, 2020
Yes, this is a book for kids. It's a simple storybook read. But please read it. Make your friends read it, read it to your kids. Excellent messages much like the rest of the Steven Universe...universe. Then do yourself a favor and watch the show. Or just watch the movie. Whatever. But seriously Steven Universe is a gem (hah!).
October 22, 2023
I contemplated not writing a review/adding this to my read books because it was so short - but it was beautiful.
Was it a frustrating read? Of course it was. It was meant to be! Different perspectives vying for control - that was the point.
The art was stunning. The message meaningful. The dedication was perfect.
10/10 - I love the world Rebecca Sugar created.
Was it a frustrating read? Of course it was. It was meant to be! Different perspectives vying for control - that was the point.
The art was stunning. The message meaningful. The dedication was perfect.
10/10 - I love the world Rebecca Sugar created.
November 27, 2019
Just a beautiful tale. A way to empower a kid, to tell them they have the right to tell their story and identity. They are who they are, no matter what adults may say, no matter what their parents were.
March 7, 2020
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm WOW?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The best picture book I have ever read? More likely than you think!! Just like the show, it allows kids to learn how to look at things differently and how every story has multiple point of views. Rebecca Sugar is a visionary.
December 5, 2022
It was a little confusing to follow, but then again, sometimes things are like that when there are multiple facets to an event. I recommend having watched up until the movie to understand what is going on.
August 21, 2025
Un livre qui se lit dans les deux sens ! Parfait pour parler de toutes les facettes de l’amour (amies, famille, couple etc) à un enfant.
Les illustrations simplifiées sont très mignonnes et l’histoire se lit très très vite.
Les illustrations simplifiées sont très mignonnes et l’histoire se lit très très vite.
October 10, 2019
I rated it
October 10, 2019
MY HEART
October 14, 2019
This book is so transformative. I love how she inserts different narrative points of view. REBECCA SUGAR IS AN ANGEL.
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