Call Me Tree

In the picture book “Call Me Tree” author Maya Gonzalez encourages children to grow and play as authentically as possible. She centers the value of many kinds of diversity through her language, illustrations, characters, and plot points.

Maya Christina Gonzalez is an amazing example of an author with an authentic background and perspective. Gonzalez is dedicated to making inclusive children’s books more accessible. She founded the publishing house, Reflection Press, and created an online learning environment, School of the Free Mind. “Call Me Tree” is a spanish and english book, a genuine expression of Gonzalez’s Chicana, or Mexican American, identity. Gonzalez also understands the importance of non gendered representation and minimizing gender roles for children because of her identity as a queer woman. Gonzalez is a member of the communities about which she is writing and writes with the goal of creating a safe and healthy mindset in children towards gender, language, and identity.

Although no characters are named in “Call Me Tree”, the children present have a diverse array of skin tones, hair types, and clothing. The primary character, followed from “seed” to “tree” isn’t gendered and isn’t white, an uncommon occurrence in most children’s books. The other children pictured all appear to be individuals, there is no copy-pasting. Each has their own personality displayed through their clothing, hair style, and actions. Some wear culturally specific clothing, while others are more general, but all are in clothing a child could play and express themself in. The only area Gonzalez is lacking in is the representation of a variety of bodies. Although there is some variation in height and body type, all the children shown are able bodied.

Not only do the illustrated characters give a diverse set of children representation, the bright colors and creative imagery will definitely hold a young child’s attention. In one illustration, the main character is curled up in a seed below the earth and reaches their arm skyward. Tree branches sprout from the silhouette of their hand while colorful clouds, stars, and swirls fill the sky above. The images are centered rather than the words. This makes the book an excellent choice for younger children who aren’t reading independently yet, or even young toddlers.

The languages of “Call Me Tree” convey the same message simultaneously in english and spanish. As Spanish speaking homes become increasingly common and visible in the United States, this book gives children in primarily Spanish speaking homes important representation and gives children in English speaking homes exposure to Spanish. This representation is important for kids in Spanish speaking homes because it shows them that the language of their family and culture is beautiful and valuable. The exposure from primarily English speaking children is especially valuable as it comes from an author who is a native speaker.

The book does not show adults and children working together but it is not necessary. There is no plot in general but it highlights children working together. Instead of trying to fix something broken, it builds the foundation for encouraging free expression. There are no adults present in the book, instead the children are shown as people in their own right.

“Call Me Tree” is an excellent way to introduce children to the diversity of the people they may encounter. No one skin tone, hair texture, type of clothing, cultural practice, or way of being is prioritized over another. The bilingual text provides a valuable message to readers of all backgrounds and experiences, and is written genuinely by a native speaker. Readers are encouraged to express themselves genuinely and without fear of common stereotypes like those of gender, race, culture, and language. Overall, this is a very good way to introduce ideas about growth and expression without the use of gendered or cultural stereotypes to toddlers and young children.