Join us at Librairie Drawn & Quarterly for a 5 à 7 on Tuesday October 21st to celebrate the release of Call Me Gray by Andrew Larsen and Bells Larsen, illustrated by Tallulah Fontaine. Drop by anytime between 5 and 7 pm to meet the authors and get your book signed! The event is free to attend and no rsvp is required.
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CALL ME GRAY:
One winter, while creating their annual ice rink together, a child starts a conversation with their dad about something important. ”Do you ever feel mixed up about who you are?“ the child asks. But the father misunderstands the question. So, the child tries again later. ”Do you ever feel different than the way you look?“ Again, the father doesn’t get it. But this time he asks to hear more. And the child explains. ”I look like a boy, but sometimes I feel more like a girl.“ At last, it’s been said. The child shares that their name feels like an itchy sweater and they want to change it to ”Gray.“ It’s a big change, but one they can grow into together. And when Gray’s dad finally uses their chosen name, it feels warm and right, just like hot chocolate after the first skate of the season.
This personal story, co-written by acclaimed author Andrew Larsen and his son Bells, is inspired by Bells’s own experience as a transgender person. It’s about the joy and comfort a child feels when a parent affirms their identity, and how the transition can be complex for the rest of the family. An excellent conversation starter for families with a child who might be questioning their gender identity, it centers the child’s experience of navigating and sharing what they feel, and shows that, though the child’s sense of themself is changing, their place in the family is not. It also demonstrates a supportive and respectful family environment, where home is a safe space. Tallulah Fontaine’s softly focused illustrations punctuated by the red of Gray’s cap create an inviting, wintery setting.
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Andrew Larsen lives in a neighborhood in Toronto that has tall trees, old houses and lots of stories. He became an author when he became a stay-at-home dad. His kids have grown up, but Andrew continues to write. Andrew does his best thinking when he is out walking with his dog, Sally. He often visits schools and libraries, where he encourages children to discover their own stories.
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Bells Larsen (he/they) is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. He sees storytelling as a way to make sense of and connect with both the ordinary and unpredictable moments in life. Larsen has been featured in The Line of Best Fit, Under the Radar, the CBC and Exclaim!, and has shared stages with Martha Wainwright, Land of Talk and Buck Meek. He will release his sophomore album in 2025. Call Me Gray is his first book.
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Librairie Drawn & Quarterly Accessibility information:
- Our store uses StopGap.ca ramps in an effort to encourage accessibility. Both the step at the entrance, followed by a half step and a door have StopGap ramps. The door opens inward and is not automated. Once inside, there are no additional steps.
- There is one non-gendered bathroom.
- It is not a sober space, our events sometimes offer alcohol.
Please email
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