"Are You A Friend of Dorothy?": A Picture Book That Illuminates LGBTQ+ History for Kids
- Kim Bartosch
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
In a world where some books are still banned from telling the truth with love, Are You a Friend of Dorothy? stands out as a joyful, powerful act of storytelling. Written by Newbery Honor and Stonewall Award-winner Kyle Lukoff and brought to life by the vibrant illustrations of Levi Hastings, this picture book introduces young readers to an iconic phrase from queer history—and the enduring community behind it.
Thank you to the author, illustrator, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the book and my honest review. Learn more below.
About the Book:
Title: Are You a Friend of Dorothy?
Author: Kyle Lukoff
Illustrator: Levi Hastings
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release date: April 29, 2025
Genre: LGBTQ+ Historical Picture Book
Synopsis:
In a time when the LGBTQ+ community was forced to hide in the shadows, a woman named Dorothy helped her people find each other in the dark and celebrate themselves in the light.
But who was Dorothy? Was she from the neighborhood, someone’s wife, mother, or sister? Was she that clever writer, who threw parties where there were no rules about who you could and couldn’t dance with? Or was she a girl from Kansas who dreamed of leaving her black-and-white, small-town life and finding a vibrant, colorful world that loved her?
Dorothy might have been all these things—because Dorothy, as known by the post-WWII queer community, wasn’t real. Still, she helped a community find connection and care amidst adversity.
My Review of "Are You A Friend of Dorothy?" by Kyle Lukoff, Illustrated by Levi Hastings
Rather than focusing on a singular figure, Lukoff's story centers on the collective power of the LGBTQ+ community. The question, “Are you a friend of Dorothy?” was once a secret code—used during times when being openly queer meant risking safety, livelihood, or worse. Through poetic narration and lush, colorful art, the book explores possible origins of "Dorothy": a party-throwing writer? A motherly neighbor? A Kansas dreamer with ruby slippers? It’s all of them—and none—because Dorothy, as the book gently reveals, isn’t one person at all. She’s an idea. A symbol. A shared hope.
And that’s the beauty of this story.
Hastings' illustrations pop with color, energy, and movement, echoing the hopeful and celebratory tone of Lukoff’s text. Each page feels like an invitation—not just to learn, but to belong. Kids will be drawn in by the imaginative visuals, while adults will appreciate the subtle historical nods woven into the background scenes. The backmatter, including an author’s note and historical figure references, provides great context and sparks further conversation, perfect for Pride Month, classroom libraries, and family shelves alike.
What’s most powerful about Are You a Friend of Dorothy? is that it treats LGBTQ+ history with dignity and warmth, making it accessible to young readers without ever dumbing it down. It presents queerness as something to be proud of, community as something to be cherished, and difference as something to be celebrated. As someone who values inclusive stories for children, I especially loved the way it teaches acceptance without preaching, offering kids the tools to embrace diversity in themselves and others.
And yes—sadly, it’s likely that this beautiful book will find itself on banned lists simply for being honest. But that’s exactly why it matters. Books like this help raise kids who are kind, empathetic, and unafraid to ask questions.
📚 Are You a Friend of Dorothy? deserves a place on every bookshelf—and in every heart.
Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bright, bold, and bursting with compassion. This picture book is a love letter to LGBTQ+ history, identity, and the joyful power of community. 🌈💖
Meet the author and illustrator:
Kyle Lukoff (he/him) is a National Book Award finalist and the Newbery and Stonewall Award-winning author of multiple books for young readers, including When Aidan Became a Brother, Call Me Max, Too Bright to See, and My Little Golden Book About Pride. Before becoming a full-time writer, Kyle worked at five bookstores, in four libraries, for three schools, as two genders, through one intersection: people and books.
Find him on Instagram @KyleLukoffWrites and his website at KyleLukoff.com.
Levi Hastings (he/him) is the illustrator of Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg by Rob Sanders, Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff, and The Spirit of Springer by Amanda Abler, about which The New York Times raved, “This beautiful book tells a suspenseful, heartrending true story.”
Levi lives in Seattle with his husband. Learn more at LeviHastings.com.