The Answer: a sweet story of relationships and changing for the better

The Answer (Steven Universe) by Rebecca Sugar, published by Cartoon Network Books on September 6, 2016, age range 8-12.

I know that my previous book review was also about a story from the world of Steven Universe, so I should probably pick something different. But this new addition to their growing collection was too good to resist. I had pre-ordered it weeks ago when I learned that one of my favorite artists (Tiffany Ford) would be doing the illustrations and it definitely didn't disappoint. The artwork and the writing are both beautifully done and this quickly became my favorite Steven Universe book.

The framing of this story is pretty unique as there are technically two plots running throughout the pages. The main one is the story of how Sapphire and Ruby met, fell in love, and eventually formed Garnet. The secondary story comes in the form of narrations from the two characters, who are watching their own story unfold and predicting (incorrectly) what the outcome may be. This gives the readers an additional insight into what it's like to be Ruby and Sapphire, and how it felt for them to leave everything they knew behind so they could be together.

Using this framework the author was also able to let the characters of Ruby and Sapphire take the same journey that the readers did. As the plot develops and we learn that the homeworld gems look down on fusions between different types of gems, which is what leads to Ruby and Sapphire running away, we see Sapphire worrying about the future and being confused just like a young reader might be. Change can be scary for children, especially when it involves the mean opinions or actions of other people. But as the book's story shows, change can also be a good thing.

By the end of the book Ruby and Sapphire are united in both of the plots. The main story shows Ruby and Sapphire exploring Earth, realizing they love each other, and eventually forming Garnet and joining the Crystal Gems. On the other hand, the narrating versions of themselves join each other in the same panels and stay together for the remainder of the book.

Overall this is a great book about an LGBT relationship that shows kids it's okay to be different, and that while it might be scary, love is never something to be ashamed of. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has or works with children. While the language is simple, it's a good lesson for kids of all ages to hear. And while the appeal may mostly lie in fans of the show, it can also be read as a stand alone book and still be understood by the children.

Some choices for similar books would be the other items in the Steven Universe collection. But aside from them, I'd suggest Mummy and Mumma Get Married by Roz Hopkins and Natalie Winter, First Week Blues by Jesse Greenslade, or Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Keith Negley. All of these books involve similar themes of being different, learning to love your differences, and going against what people consider to be "normal", much like in The Answer.

As for related activities, I would suggest a discussion with the kids about what it means to be "normal" and how nobody really ever fits into that description. Have them talk about what makes them different and how that's a good thing. If the kids are old enough maybe they could write about something different about them or their families and how these things make them special.

As for related activities, I would suggest