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Phoenix Gets Greater
A powerful story about the importance of family acceptance.
Phoenix loves to play with dolls and marvel at pretty fabrics. Most of all, he loves to dance—ballet, Pow Wow dancing, or just swirling and twirling around his house. Sometimes Phoenix gets picked on and he struggles with feeling different, but his mom and brother are proud of him. With their help, Phoenix learns about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture and just how special he is.
Based on the childhood experiences of her son, Phoenix, Marty Wilson-Trudeau demonstrates the difference that a loving and supportive family can make.
Phoenix loves to play with dolls and marvel at pretty fabrics. Most of all, he loves to dance—ballet, Pow Wow dancing, or just swirling and twirling around his house. Sometimes Phoenix gets picked on and he struggles with feeling different, but his mom and brother are proud of him. With their help, Phoenix learns about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture and just how special he is.
Based on the childhood experiences of her son, Phoenix, Marty Wilson-Trudeau demonstrates the difference that a loving and supportive family can make.
24 pages, Hardcover
Published October 11, 2022
1 person is currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 8, 2022
When Phoenix is born he is sick. With the love & dedication of his family & medical doctors, he grows to be a boisterous, healthy, & happy child. In all his years growing up through childhood, Phoenix has had different interests from some of the other boys around him; preferring to play with dolls with those who like dolls, rather than playing with toy trucks, alongside those who like to play with toy trucks. It is the altered perception of those around him that leads him to begin questioning himself & his worth in his community.
This is a lovely, pointed story that broaches Two-Spirit kin in a way that is smooth like the morning waters of a river. Never do the authors include language that ostracized people who are different from the main character in an attempt to elicit support & kindness for him. The language employed throughout this short book encourages young readers to be honest with themselves, for we spend all our years in this body & it is all the more rewarding & comforting to voyage through the years with love for the person that we are.
Though Phoenix is certainly lucky to have the family that he does, the book does not present the alternative as a cagey monster waiting to pounce. The readers of this book are comforted by feeling safe within the pages of the story. Though the spiritual & cultural beliefs of Phoenix & his family might not be their own—possibly even unknown to them prior to this book—this is a study in introducing the possibilities that exist in this reality; the possibility that it is okay to live as the person that you are, that you are not less yourself because you are not more like another.
The illustrations of this book made me feel warm inside & reminded me of the times that I read similar books in my childhood; books whose imagery has stayed with me all these many years later. I feel confident that this book will bring positive impacts to all those who have the opportunity to read it. Even if we are unlike Phoenix, perhaps a bit different or completely the same; this story offers us a special piece of itself that might nestle in the corner of our minds in an attempt to remind us how wonderful it is that we are here.
Thank you to Edelweiss+, Second Story Press, & Marty Wilson-Trudeau for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This is a lovely, pointed story that broaches Two-Spirit kin in a way that is smooth like the morning waters of a river. Never do the authors include language that ostracized people who are different from the main character in an attempt to elicit support & kindness for him. The language employed throughout this short book encourages young readers to be honest with themselves, for we spend all our years in this body & it is all the more rewarding & comforting to voyage through the years with love for the person that we are.
Though Phoenix is certainly lucky to have the family that he does, the book does not present the alternative as a cagey monster waiting to pounce. The readers of this book are comforted by feeling safe within the pages of the story. Though the spiritual & cultural beliefs of Phoenix & his family might not be their own—possibly even unknown to them prior to this book—this is a study in introducing the possibilities that exist in this reality; the possibility that it is okay to live as the person that you are, that you are not less yourself because you are not more like another.
The illustrations of this book made me feel warm inside & reminded me of the times that I read similar books in my childhood; books whose imagery has stayed with me all these many years later. I feel confident that this book will bring positive impacts to all those who have the opportunity to read it. Even if we are unlike Phoenix, perhaps a bit different or completely the same; this story offers us a special piece of itself that might nestle in the corner of our minds in an attempt to remind us how wonderful it is that we are here.
Thank you to Edelweiss+, Second Story Press, & Marty Wilson-Trudeau for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
August 31, 2025
Phoenix self-identifies as gay, so of course that's correct. If the character were fictional, I'd guess that they're trans or non-binary or just "+". "Two-Spirit" is probably the best label of all, so I'm very glad that this family shared their experience and gave us another way to think about identity. A heartwarming and lovely book. Lots of readers will gratefully feel 'seen.'
October 18, 2023
Heartwarming story about familial love and acceptance.
March 6, 2023
Phoenix isn't like the other boys at school. He loves to do the shawl dance like he sees in powwows. He prefers to play with dolls and swirly fabrics. He gets bullied for this, which makes him unsure of himself.
His mother explains Two-Spirit/Niizh Manidooowag people to him and slowly but surely, Phoenix gets greater.
This is one of the few books in any time that showcases Two-Spirit identities in any form. The book is based on the author, Marty Wilson-Trudeau's own experiences with her son, Phoenix.
Alongside Anishinaabe Wilson-Trudeau's heartfelt and supportive text are Inuk illustrator Megan Kyak-Monteith's beautiful, vibrant and emotionally filled illustrations.
LOVE THE SUPPORT! Love that this book exists! Love this!
His mother explains Two-Spirit/Niizh Manidooowag people to him and slowly but surely, Phoenix gets greater.
This is one of the few books in any time that showcases Two-Spirit identities in any form. The book is based on the author, Marty Wilson-Trudeau's own experiences with her son, Phoenix.
Alongside Anishinaabe Wilson-Trudeau's heartfelt and supportive text are Inuk illustrator Megan Kyak-Monteith's beautiful, vibrant and emotionally filled illustrations.
LOVE THE SUPPORT! Love that this book exists! Love this!
April 11, 2024
Adorable, colorful and easy-to-understand picture book about a young Two Spirit child.
It's interesting that nonbinary people are considered "new" and "trendy" in white and European cultures, meanwhile Two Spirit people have existed and had important roles in many indigenous cultures in centuries.
It's interesting that nonbinary people are considered "new" and "trendy" in white and European cultures, meanwhile Two Spirit people have existed and had important roles in many indigenous cultures in centuries.
January 1, 2023
Phoenix Gets Greater is a super cute picture book about an Anishinaabe child (Phoenix Wilson, Marty Wilson-Trudeau's now teenager) who realises he is Two Spirit. It is a lovely portrayal of queerness and Indigineity. The art is cute and vibrant. Recommended!
July 7, 2024
Cute story about how even when you're different than most kids, a loving, accepting family can make all the difference. Also this seems like a great introduction for kids to the indigenous term of "two-spirit" people, plus Phoenix is a real person with videos online if they want to learn more about him.
June 13, 2023
Content warnings are listed at the end of my review!
3.5 This book was absolutely beautiful, but it is short to a fault, ending at the climax instead of continuing to a conclusion. I'm really on the fence on how to rate this because what it did present in it's incredibly short time was amazing, but it just didn't take the time to make it feel rounded out and like a complete story, I kept trying to make sure I hadn't missed anything because it stopped very abruptly! I really would like to see more from the team behind this, Marty Wilson-Trudeau and her Two Spirit son Phoenix Wilson from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, and Megan Kyak-Monteith an Inuk illustrator and painter- they made a perfect team, and I think there's a lot of promise from this first book that can be built upon. The message being shared was from the heart and full of love, so I really want to see it to its fullest potential.
The narrative issue is the story is focused on Phoenix, specifically his journey to understand his identity, so there's a narrow scope to work with, but we don't get enough time to know much about Phoenix, his family, and his environment to understand Phoenix more. We see small glimpses of his cultural background, life outside of home, and his family, but the primary focus is Phoenix's identity in relation to being Two Spirit, even then only offering us little. As Phoenix realizes and embraces his Two Spirit identity- the book ends a page later, cutting it off right as things were coming together, like ending at the last word of the prologue. Because of this, it just feels vague and unfinished despite the clear effort and promise.
Summary:
Readability: ★★★★☆, It's overall a very upbeat and affirming story, full of love and acceptance with minimal conflict that was responded to well. The book really felt like a hug, it just let go way too soon.
Entertainment: ★★★☆☆, It was great to see such a loving and affirming family, and the preservation and pride shown to culture, I just wish it was developed more. The run time really hurt the pacing, and made the ending jarring as the investment was building up at the end without a satisfying conclusion. If you blink, you'd unfortunately miss this book.
Audience: I like this a lot, I just think there's room for growth! There's a great team going into this and it's a great showcase of diversity, so I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested, and it would be a valuable to any children's collection for gender diversity.
Content Warnings: bullying, crying, hospital, illness, sadness, self-doubt
3.5 This book was absolutely beautiful, but it is short to a fault, ending at the climax instead of continuing to a conclusion. I'm really on the fence on how to rate this because what it did present in it's incredibly short time was amazing, but it just didn't take the time to make it feel rounded out and like a complete story, I kept trying to make sure I hadn't missed anything because it stopped very abruptly! I really would like to see more from the team behind this, Marty Wilson-Trudeau and her Two Spirit son Phoenix Wilson from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation, and Megan Kyak-Monteith an Inuk illustrator and painter- they made a perfect team, and I think there's a lot of promise from this first book that can be built upon. The message being shared was from the heart and full of love, so I really want to see it to its fullest potential.
The narrative issue is the story is focused on Phoenix, specifically his journey to understand his identity, so there's a narrow scope to work with, but we don't get enough time to know much about Phoenix, his family, and his environment to understand Phoenix more. We see small glimpses of his cultural background, life outside of home, and his family, but the primary focus is Phoenix's identity in relation to being Two Spirit, even then only offering us little. As Phoenix realizes and embraces his Two Spirit identity- the book ends a page later, cutting it off right as things were coming together, like ending at the last word of the prologue. Because of this, it just feels vague and unfinished despite the clear effort and promise.
Summary:
Readability: ★★★★☆, It's overall a very upbeat and affirming story, full of love and acceptance with minimal conflict that was responded to well. The book really felt like a hug, it just let go way too soon.
Entertainment: ★★★☆☆, It was great to see such a loving and affirming family, and the preservation and pride shown to culture, I just wish it was developed more. The run time really hurt the pacing, and made the ending jarring as the investment was building up at the end without a satisfying conclusion. If you blink, you'd unfortunately miss this book.
Audience: I like this a lot, I just think there's room for growth! There's a great team going into this and it's a great showcase of diversity, so I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested, and it would be a valuable to any children's collection for gender diversity.
Content Warnings: bullying, crying, hospital, illness, sadness, self-doubt
January 13, 2023
Honest. Simple and clear. A great personal story without any politics.
Love the explanation of Two-Spirit. It is prefect for exploring the term with elementary kids.
Beautiful colours and illustrations too
Love the explanation of Two-Spirit. It is prefect for exploring the term with elementary kids.
Beautiful colours and illustrations too
August 8, 2024
great concept, poor execution
I was so excited to read the summary of this book, since I don’t know a lot about Two Spirit communities. I love children’s books too, so I felt this was right up my alley.
Phoenix really loves dancing and playings with dolls, which sets him apart from his classmates. One day, Phoenix comes home and tells his family that he is “gay.” His mother immediately steps in and tells Phoenix about Two Spirit people, who hold both boy and girl spirits inside them. Phoenix goes to school happy and proud to be Two Spirit.
Guys. I can’s speak for everyone, but being gay is not synonymous with experiencing gender outside of social norms. Just because I’m non-binary, doesn’t mean I’m gay. Gay people don’t experiment with gender just because they are gay.
My biggest issue with this book is how Phoenix came out to his family, because he said he was gay and there was no follow up to that. Being gay means you like the same gender as you. Phoenix does not discuss romantic feelings at all during any point of this book. I don’t like that being gay is synonymous with being Two Spirit in this book, because I do not think they are the same thing.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, because I am not a part of the Two Spirit community- I am part of the LGBTQ+ community.
I was so excited to read the summary of this book, since I don’t know a lot about Two Spirit communities. I love children’s books too, so I felt this was right up my alley.
Phoenix really loves dancing and playings with dolls, which sets him apart from his classmates. One day, Phoenix comes home and tells his family that he is “gay.” His mother immediately steps in and tells Phoenix about Two Spirit people, who hold both boy and girl spirits inside them. Phoenix goes to school happy and proud to be Two Spirit.
Guys. I can’s speak for everyone, but being gay is not synonymous with experiencing gender outside of social norms. Just because I’m non-binary, doesn’t mean I’m gay. Gay people don’t experiment with gender just because they are gay.
My biggest issue with this book is how Phoenix came out to his family, because he said he was gay and there was no follow up to that. Being gay means you like the same gender as you. Phoenix does not discuss romantic feelings at all during any point of this book. I don’t like that being gay is synonymous with being Two Spirit in this book, because I do not think they are the same thing.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, because I am not a part of the Two Spirit community- I am part of the LGBTQ+ community.
March 4, 2023
When Phoenix was born, doctors said he was sick and would never be able to talk or ride a bike. His family are members of the Anishinaabe tribe and his mother smudged him with the four medicines: sage, tobacco, cedar, and sweetgrass. He got better! Growing up, he loved playing with dolls and dancing - ballet, at Pow Wows, maybe just swirling with a snuggly pink blanket around his home. He preferred playing with girls, who liked dolls and dancing, too. And, of course he was teased. Later, he stopped because he was so sad that no one liked how he was.
His mother sat him down and told him of the Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture. She shared that everyone has a spirit within that guides them but there are those special ones who have the joy of both a boy and girl spirit. The Anishinaabe people have much respect for them.
Phoenix's mother tells this story with Phoenix while Megan Kyak-Monteith, an Inuk illustrator brightens every page with the emotions 'swirling' within Phoenix, mostly happy like the cover but also those hard times with sadness. It's a book for all families who want to support their LGBTQ+ children.
Added note: Phoenix is an actor and credits were given at the back for three movies.
His mother sat him down and told him of the Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture. She shared that everyone has a spirit within that guides them but there are those special ones who have the joy of both a boy and girl spirit. The Anishinaabe people have much respect for them.
Phoenix's mother tells this story with Phoenix while Megan Kyak-Monteith, an Inuk illustrator brightens every page with the emotions 'swirling' within Phoenix, mostly happy like the cover but also those hard times with sadness. It's a book for all families who want to support their LGBTQ+ children.
Added note: Phoenix is an actor and credits were given at the back for three movies.
July 11, 2024
Little baby Phoenix was born to his mom and big brother who love him so much! Phoenix loves dressing up in shawls and dancing around his house. He loves dolls and ballet and soft, pretty fabrics. At school, kids make fun of him because he's not like the other boys who likes trucks and bugs. He finally acknowledges that he's different, and he's gay. This makes him feel sad at first, until his mom teaches him about "Niizh Manidoowag" or "two spirit." These are special people who have not just one spirit inside them, but two - a masculine and a feminine. These people are highly valued by their Indigenous culture, and Phoenix feels pride and connection with other niizh manidoowag people. His brother and mom give him a big hug, cry with him, and tell him all that matters is that he's happy!
A lovely story about unconditional family love and acceptance.
A lovely story about unconditional family love and acceptance.
August 17, 2024
Little baby Phoenix was born to his mom and big brother who love him so much! Phoenix loves dressing up in shawls and dancing around his house. He loves dolls and ballet and soft, pretty fabrics. At school, kids make fun of him because he's not like the other boys who likes trucks and bugs. He finally acknowledges that he's different, and he's gay. This makes him feel sad at first, until his mom teaches him about "Niizh Manidoowag" or "two spirit." These are special people who have not just one spirit inside them, but two - a masculine and a feminine. These people are highly valued by their Indigenous culture, and Phoenix feels pride and connection with other niizh manidoowag people. His brother and mom give him a big hug, cry with him, and tell him all that matters is that he's happy!
A lovely story about unconditional family love and acceptance.
A lovely story about unconditional family love and acceptance.
February 5, 2026
When Phoenix was born, the doctor said he'd never walk or talk. But that doesn't matter because later, Phoenix questions gender and orientation and finds acceptance.
I can't decide if this book is trying to be biographical or why it included some scenes. The gist of it is that two-spirit exists as an identity, and Phoenix, as an indigenous person, can use the label if it fits. I definitely want to see more books that offer understanding around gender identity, but it feels like this book was trying to do other things as well; I'm just not sure what?
I can't decide if this book is trying to be biographical or why it included some scenes. The gist of it is that two-spirit exists as an identity, and Phoenix, as an indigenous person, can use the label if it fits. I definitely want to see more books that offer understanding around gender identity, but it feels like this book was trying to do other things as well; I'm just not sure what?
March 30, 2024
this is such a cute childrens/ picture book about a child growing up queer in an indigenous community. it introduces the word 'two spirit' and also refers to phoenix with he/him pronouns that labels himself as gay. The story is full of love and support by his family and is a simple, childappropriate and uplifting book to introduce queerness.
March 9, 2023
Although this book is tagged as fiction, it is based on the real-life experiences of the author's child, Phoenix. This was a lovely and sweet book introducing the concept of Two-Spirit people to children.
December 9, 2023
Please seek out diverse reviews.
A much needed book about being your true self, Two Spirit people and family acceptance. Very surface level for such a deep topic. The illustrations were lovely.
Kindle formatting issues with all the words smooshed together as one or overlapping, Libby on Kindle.
A much needed book about being your true self, Two Spirit people and family acceptance. Very surface level for such a deep topic. The illustrations were lovely.
Kindle formatting issues with all the words smooshed together as one or overlapping, Libby on Kindle.
September 1, 2022
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
September 14, 2022
Gorgeous, affirming, and necessary. A vital addition to all collections, especially ones that want to grow in their Native and LGBTIA representation. You will love Phoenix!
January 16, 2023
This book is based on the experiences of the author's son. Phoenix was a sickly child who wasn't even expected to live. They grew into a child who loved dolls, twirling and dancing. Phoenix enjoyed both ballet, grass dancing and fancy dancing. They made friends with others who liked the same things.
As they grew older, Phoenix became deeply distressed by the bullying of other boys because they were not like them. Their mother taught them about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture and how they are revered. Two spirited people have both a male and female spirit within them. From this Phoenix came to take pride in their special identity.
As they grew older, Phoenix became deeply distressed by the bullying of other boys because they were not like them. Their mother taught them about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture and how they are revered. Two spirited people have both a male and female spirit within them. From this Phoenix came to take pride in their special identity.
January 20, 2023
This is great! It covers prematurity, indigenous characters and culture, gay people and Two Spirit people. The illustrations are fantastic and it’s really well written.
January 23, 2023
A nice story about a two-spirited child but I felt like the story skipped ahead quickly. I kept checking back to make sure I didn't miss a page.
March 17, 2023
A little explanatory near the end but other than that a well-written picture book about self-discovery and accepting one's differences from the "norms" and familial acceptance.
November 25, 2023
I was a bit confused when Phoenix came out as gay, but then his mom told him he was Two Spirit and the gay identity was never mentioned again.
January 8, 2024
This is a lovely story about a two-spirit child. A children’s book about a native & lgbt person by people within the communities. 💙
January 11, 2024
Powerful story about acceptance, self love, and self expression. Very inclusive: mentions Anishinaabe culture, LGBTQ+, and disabilities. Overall message: the importance of being YOU.
June 29, 2024
Lovely story of one kid's coming out that nicely explains and celebrates two spirit identities for kids.
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September 7, 2024Read for 2024 Read Harder prompt: Read a picture book published in the last five years. A very sweet story!
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October 13, 2024About being two-spirit in the Anishinaabe culture and how it’s okay to embrace both the masculine and feminine sides of yourself.
February 4, 2025
This book emphasizes the lesson of acceptance over having a plot, but it is an important message. It is great to see the intersection of First Nations and LGBT.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews