Funny and endearing picture book to ponder -- just what is an avocado? But more importantly, young readers also get a gentle reminder to be comfortable in their own skin. To quote from the book: "Who cares what we are when we're simply AMAZING?" ( )

An entertaining read for younger kiddos. Poor avocado is feeling lonely at the store. He doesn't know if he's a fruit or a vegetable. He travels through the store and get's told, you don't belong! He doesn't fit in with the vegetables, fruits, eggs, or fish. When he's had enough rejection, he runs into tomato. Tomato says he's a fruit but nobody believes him BUT- he doesn't care! People love tomato soup, ketchup, and even tomato on pizza. Avocado learns that people love him too- in salads, tacos, even on toast. Avocado realizes he's perfect just the way he is. Then he meets more friends that realize they don't know where they fit in either... ( )

Family read-aloud party for the holiday weekend: Juneteenth, Father's Day, a birthday, and the solstice. (4 of 5)

I get the philosophical identity thing the author is going for, but I still immediately googled, "Is avocado a fruit?" immediately after finishing the book, because it didn't tell me. It's a fruit and a berry to boot.

Full disclosure, I rarely eat avocados or guacamole, so I was happier when Tomato finally showed up to commiserate and celebrate. ( )

Recommended by Maya B.

Avocado is thrown into an existential crisis when a little girl with Afro puffs in the grocery store asks her mother if an avocado is a fruit or a vegetable. Avocado sets out to answer the question, What am I? Not a fruit...not a vegetable...not a fish or a cheese or a can of peas...finally, it's Tomato who has the refreshing answer, and then a bunch of other foods have similar what-are-we? questions. I would have liked some back matter about food categorization, but that might have undercut the positive message about defying categorization and being yourself, which is lovely. This would be really fun at storytime. ( )