EP 163: Mike Curato’s (compassionate) truth

Written By Modern Minorities
 

“Seeing someone that I could relate to outside of my world gave me hope
that I wasn’t stuck in this awful bubble”

LISTEN ON APPLE LISTEN ON SPOTIFY LISTEN ON STITCHER

Mike Curato is an award-winning author and illustrator of more than a few amazing kids’ books, as well as the more recent graphic novel “Flamer,” which is a MUST read no matter your age, gender, or sexual orientation. Author Jarrett J. Krosoczka put it best: “This book will save lives.”

Mike’s children’s books include the "Little Elliot" series - about an adorable polka-dotted elephant, of whom Raman’s daughter is a BIG fan. Mike has also created beautiful kid’s stories like "Where is Bina Bear?" He’s illustrated other moving and important stories like "Worm Loves Worm", "What If", and "The Power of One." And in October he’ll be releasing the book “What Are you” alongside Christian Trimmer. Beyond Mike’s work being always elegant and beautifully illustrated, there’s a much deeper sentiment just beneath the surface that will appeal to parents and kids alike.

FLAMER - Mike’s 2020 graphic novel debut - is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel set in 1995 at a Boy Scouts summer camp, and tells the story of a young teen Aiden who is bullied for being who he is. But the story goes much deeper and hits a lot of notes and nerves that are both important and all-too-familiar (the liberal mentions of the X-Men, Lord of the Rings, and Nirvana don’t hurt either). Flamer isn’t just a must-read book for those of us who can relate, but it’s one that we should read for greater empathy for the people around us.

LEARN ABOUT MIKE

MENTIONS

 
Modern Minorities
Previous

EP 165: Jonathan Tran’s (dismantling) theology
Next

EP 162: Ariane & Mercedes (are) Caribbean Queens