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Strong
A fresh, charming picture book that shows there are lots of ways to be STRONG.
Rob dreams of becoming a champion strongman. He wants to flip huge tires, lug boulders, and haul trucks -- and someday be the strongest man in the world! But he feels like he can’t fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. Will Rob find a way to step into his true self and be a champion?
With bold illustrations and an engaging, informative text, Strong introduces readers to Rob Kearney and his journey from an athletic kid trying to find his place to the world’s first openly gay professional strongman.
Rob dreams of becoming a champion strongman. He wants to flip huge tires, lug boulders, and haul trucks -- and someday be the strongest man in the world! But he feels like he can’t fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. Will Rob find a way to step into his true self and be a champion?
With bold illustrations and an engaging, informative text, Strong introduces readers to Rob Kearney and his journey from an athletic kid trying to find his place to the world’s first openly gay professional strongman.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 11, 2022
A colorful and empowering book of strength and resilience with gay reprensentation!
May 30, 2023
Representation: Gay
Strong is a LGBT picture book about Rob who dreams of becoming a champion strongman. He wants to flip huge tires, lug boulders, and haul trucks -- and someday be the strongest man in the world! But he feels like he can’t fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. Will Rob find a way to step into his true self and be a champion?
This finished copy was provided as part of the Pride Book Tours Strong campaign.
What a fantastic story! This book provides an age appropriate lesson about the importance of being true to yourself. I love the idea of showing kids how we all identify differently and the pride we should take in that. I absolutely loved this story and the illustrations were amazing!
Strong is a LGBT picture book about Rob who dreams of becoming a champion strongman. He wants to flip huge tires, lug boulders, and haul trucks -- and someday be the strongest man in the world! But he feels like he can’t fit in with his bright leggings, unicorn T-shirts, and rainbow-dyed hair. Will Rob find a way to step into his true self and be a champion?
This finished copy was provided as part of the Pride Book Tours Strong campaign.
What a fantastic story! This book provides an age appropriate lesson about the importance of being true to yourself. I love the idea of showing kids how we all identify differently and the pride we should take in that. I absolutely loved this story and the illustrations were amazing!
December 9, 2021
Authors Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood tell about the inspiring life of record-holding strongman Rob Kearney. Readers will easily relate to Rob's childhood interest in sports and dreaming big while being taken through the journey of perseverance and hard work. The first line "Rob was a strong kid" and the fun illustration of Rob as a baby holding a gallon milk jug and fire truck leads into what it fells like to have a dream, recognize what it means to you, and facing obstacles. Nidhi Chanani's colorful and engaging art will keep readers turning the page. This LGBTQ+ picture book is a positive addition to library biography sections as well as home reading bookshelves.
August 30, 2022
Super cute and colorful! The writing style is basic, but informative. Includes a great "more reads" section in the back featuring other queer authors and illustrators, which I appreciated!
March 16, 2023
Rob becomes really good at being physically strong and gets into strongman competitions where he matches everybody wearing dark, gloomy colors, but he immediately changes into bright colors when he's done. When he meets his future husband, he encourages him to be himself while he competes, and when he gets nervous about it, Joey supports him. As of the publication, he is the only openly gay professional strongman, and he's showing the world that you can be gay AND strong. There's no one way to be anything. This book teaches not just about Kearney but also strongman competitions too. I like how Chanani had the endpapers at the front of the book be what used to be a traditional strongman, a white man in a singlet, while the endpapers at the back of the book have diverse people (different skin colors, different genders, different ages) wearing different outfits.
October 14, 2022
This is one of my favorite picture book biographies! Readers follow Rob Kearney’s childhood dream of becoming a Strongman champion. After extensive training, Rob is able to lift 400 pounds over his head. That’s more than 800 stuffed rainbow unicorns! At first, Rob dresses like all the other Strongman competitors, but that’s just not his style. Once Rob expresses his true self—he truly shines. He becomes a North American Champion, world record holder, and the first openly gay professional strongman in the world. STRONG, by Rob Kearney, Eric Rosswood, and Nidhi Chanani, is an inspiring true story about being true to yourself, perseverance, and love. Highly recommend!
August 31, 2022
I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying. This was such a fabulous book. So well done for young readers!
October 18, 2022
An uplifting true story about champion strongman Rob Kearney. He falls in love with fellow weightlifter Joey, who supports him in challenging the status quo and dressing brightly to express himself in competitions. 4/5 - Does everything (or almost everything) expected from it very well.
Positive points
Empowering #OwnVoices representation of an LGBTQIA+ champion athlete - the first and only openly gay strongman in the world, Rob Kearney.
Canon romantic representation. Rob and Joey's romantic relationship is present in both text and image, which is a very positive point because much of the LGBTQIA+ representation in books for young people is relegated to only one or the other, or only permitted in coding rather than being canonically mentioned. It's sweet and it doesn't get in the way of the main story, but rather serves to complement it.
Lively and endearing text that works well with the charming images.
A clear art style. I am autistic and I have some difficulty visually processing certain art styles, especially where they are 'visually noisy' with lots of scribbles, textures and so on. This book presented no problems for me - the illustrations are crisp and clean, and on the occasions where textures are used I found them very manageable.
Sensible font. The choice of typefaces worked well with the story (a sans serif body text with a big, heavy bold capslock for emphasis in places) and they were straightforward to read.
Neutral point
Not much visual diversity. There are only two main characters, both based off real people with similar body types and skin tones, so there is not a lot of room for incidental visual diversity in the main cast (though I did enjoy Rob's bright clothes and hair). Unfortunately, the background characters (such as athletes on posters, audiences and fellow weightlifters) have a range of skin tones, but not very diverse body types - they are all slender or muscular, of average height, with conventional gender presentations, not wearing any identifying items for religion or culture, and not visibly disabled. I feel that more could have been done to showcase the wide variety of types of human appearances that exist - I hope that Nidhi Chanani will present a more diverse range of background characters in her future works.
Negative points
Lack of critical thinking about strength, worth and (dis)ability. Throughout the text, there is a great focus on physical strength - which is unsurprising given the subject matter - and Rob chooses to use his strength as a way to assert his worth. However, no mention is made of the fact that physical strength is not something that everyone can attain, or that all people have inherent worth regardless of strength. Texts do not exist in a vacuum, and this one may inadvertently reinforce widespread ableist beliefs about a person's value being tied to their productivity/ability/competitiveness. I can imagine this being potentially isolating and/or disheartening for physically disabled readers, especially since no visibly disabled characters are present either.
An unfortunate possible reading. There's an implicit challenge to stereotypes about what a man 'should look like' in the bright colour choices that Rob favours, and we see the audience react with confusion when he first appears . However, once he proves himself a very capable strongman, there are no further responses like this in the story. One possible reading (though a likely unintentional one) is that it's only going to be socially accepted to flout convention in your gender presentation if you perform exceptionally well in other areas that your gender is traditionally associated with. While this is sadly true in many cases, it does not feel like the message the book intended to send its readers.
Missable subtext. If the reader is familiar with a particular queerphobic stereotype (the idea that 'gay men are somehow lesser or weaker than straight men') then they may also recognise that this is also being challenged by the events portrayed, though the text does not address it outright so this may be missed by younger readers or those who struggle with subtext.
If a sequel is ever made, I would be very excited for it to address these topics.
Overall, this picture book is a charming experience and well worth reading. However, the text does not address the way that stereotypes of "a real man should be strong" can be deeply harmful and even toxic, which portrays the story's celebration of strength in a very uncritical light. You may wish to present it alongside other picture books covering themes of disability justice and gender diversity in other contexts than the field of physical prowess.
Positive points
Empowering #OwnVoices representation of an LGBTQIA+ champion athlete - the first and only openly gay strongman in the world, Rob Kearney.
Canon romantic representation. Rob and Joey's romantic relationship is present in both text and image, which is a very positive point because much of the LGBTQIA+ representation in books for young people is relegated to only one or the other, or only permitted in coding rather than being canonically mentioned. It's sweet and it doesn't get in the way of the main story, but rather serves to complement it.
Lively and endearing text that works well with the charming images.
A clear art style. I am autistic and I have some difficulty visually processing certain art styles, especially where they are 'visually noisy' with lots of scribbles, textures and so on. This book presented no problems for me - the illustrations are crisp and clean, and on the occasions where textures are used I found them very manageable.
Sensible font. The choice of typefaces worked well with the story (a sans serif body text with a big, heavy bold capslock for emphasis in places) and they were straightforward to read.
Neutral point
Not much visual diversity. There are only two main characters, both based off real people with similar body types and skin tones, so there is not a lot of room for incidental visual diversity in the main cast (though I did enjoy Rob's bright clothes and hair). Unfortunately, the background characters (such as athletes on posters, audiences and fellow weightlifters) have a range of skin tones, but not very diverse body types - they are all slender or muscular, of average height, with conventional gender presentations, not wearing any identifying items for religion or culture, and not visibly disabled. I feel that more could have been done to showcase the wide variety of types of human appearances that exist - I hope that Nidhi Chanani will present a more diverse range of background characters in her future works.
Negative points
Lack of critical thinking about strength, worth and (dis)ability. Throughout the text, there is a great focus on physical strength - which is unsurprising given the subject matter - and Rob chooses to use his strength as a way to assert his worth. However, no mention is made of the fact that physical strength is not something that everyone can attain, or that all people have inherent worth regardless of strength. Texts do not exist in a vacuum, and this one may inadvertently reinforce widespread ableist beliefs about a person's value being tied to their productivity/ability/competitiveness. I can imagine this being potentially isolating and/or disheartening for physically disabled readers, especially since no visibly disabled characters are present either.
An unfortunate possible reading. There's an implicit challenge to stereotypes about what a man 'should look like' in the bright colour choices that Rob favours, and we see the audience react with confusion when he first appears . However, once he proves himself a very capable strongman, there are no further responses like this in the story. One possible reading (though a likely unintentional one) is that it's only going to be socially accepted to flout convention in your gender presentation if you perform exceptionally well in other areas that your gender is traditionally associated with. While this is sadly true in many cases, it does not feel like the message the book intended to send its readers.
Missable subtext. If the reader is familiar with a particular queerphobic stereotype (the idea that 'gay men are somehow lesser or weaker than straight men') then they may also recognise that this is also being challenged by the events portrayed, though the text does not address it outright so this may be missed by younger readers or those who struggle with subtext.
If a sequel is ever made, I would be very excited for it to address these topics.
Overall, this picture book is a charming experience and well worth reading. However, the text does not address the way that stereotypes of "a real man should be strong" can be deeply harmful and even toxic, which portrays the story's celebration of strength in a very uncritical light. You may wish to present it alongside other picture books covering themes of disability justice and gender diversity in other contexts than the field of physical prowess.
February 5, 2023
Rob had always been strong, and he especially liked lifting weights. In high school, a teacher told him about Strongman, a competition that was more than just weightlifting. So he got all the right clothing and equipment, and he began training. He met another weightlifter named Joey and they fell in Love. Joey encouraged Rob to wear colorful clothes while competing, rather than the dull grey clothes other lifters wore. They trained and trained, but at the North American Championship, the crowd was whispering about his choice of clothing, Rob knew he was strong enough to win, but could he be stronger than the unkind words he was hearing.
Rob Kearney is the first openly gay strongman in the world. His choice to be himself as he competed was brave and strong and helped bring LGBTQ+ representation into strength sports. I really liked Strong! I loved the illustrations, especially the one where everything Rob is wearing is labeled, and what a great surprise when his outfit for the competition included a rainbow mohawk! Includes a nice author's note, along with websites and books - and photos of Rob and his husband. I also liked the "All About Strongman" spread which gives the reader information about some of the events Rob participated in. Rob is white and gay.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
Rob Kearney is the first openly gay strongman in the world. His choice to be himself as he competed was brave and strong and helped bring LGBTQ+ representation into strength sports. I really liked Strong! I loved the illustrations, especially the one where everything Rob is wearing is labeled, and what a great surprise when his outfit for the competition included a rainbow mohawk! Includes a nice author's note, along with websites and books - and photos of Rob and his husband. I also liked the "All About Strongman" spread which gives the reader information about some of the events Rob participated in. Rob is white and gay.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
February 28, 2023
This picture book--a 3.5 for me--reminding readers that strength isn't simply measured in physical prowess and the ability to lift or move heavy things. The story of the first openly gay professional strongman describes how Rob Kearney, the author, was physically strong during his formative years, participating in cheerleading and weightlifting, among other activities. He found his niche in Strongman competitions, but he still hid part of himself, dressing in the rather drab clothing the other competitors wore instead of the flashier garb he wore regularly. With the encouragement of his future life partner, Rob decides to be true to himself and dress in what makes him comfortable during the North American championship. When he wins that title, his victory chips away at the stereotypes many have about gay men, Strongmen, and what being strong is all about. Rob's picture book memoir, supported by colorful artwork rendered in digital paint with textured brushes that were handmade, makes is clear that believing in oneself and being true to oneself are ways to be strong and that the assumptions and expectations of others should never keep anyone from striving for their goals. The back matter describing some of the different events within the Strongman competition are eye-opening and made my joints and muscles wince just from reading about them. What an empowering story with a terrific book cover featuring Rob with his rainbow-hued hair, biceps on display, and a feeling of pride on his face. Everything about this screams out, "STRONG!"
January 5, 2022
Strong, written by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood, introduces readers to Rob Kearney and his journey from an athletic kid to the world’s first openly gay professional strongman. With vibrant and eye-catching illustrations from Nidhi Chanani, Strong is a picture book that is worthy to be shared.
Rob dreamt of becoming a champion strongman. Strongman is a sport in which athletes compete in several weightlifting events that test their physical strength, speed, and endurance; as well as mental strength. This is Rob's journey as a professional athlete and also how he became one of the strongest men in the world while crushing stereotypes along the way.
Through his very charming picture book, Rob's story changes people's perspectives about sexual orientation in competitive sports while bringing LGBTQ+ representation to the forefront of strength sports. Rob follows his passions, works incredibly hard, finds support that lifts him to new heights, and stays true to his style and inner beat to achieve his goals. The story is executed with fabulous illustrations, great font, bold words, and kind text. I was happy to receive an Advance Reader Copy and get a sneak peak of this book that will be published in May 2022. Winner!
Rob dreamt of becoming a champion strongman. Strongman is a sport in which athletes compete in several weightlifting events that test their physical strength, speed, and endurance; as well as mental strength. This is Rob's journey as a professional athlete and also how he became one of the strongest men in the world while crushing stereotypes along the way.
Through his very charming picture book, Rob's story changes people's perspectives about sexual orientation in competitive sports while bringing LGBTQ+ representation to the forefront of strength sports. Rob follows his passions, works incredibly hard, finds support that lifts him to new heights, and stays true to his style and inner beat to achieve his goals. The story is executed with fabulous illustrations, great font, bold words, and kind text. I was happy to receive an Advance Reader Copy and get a sneak peak of this book that will be published in May 2022. Winner!
May 9, 2022
A bright nonfiction picture book about finding your power while staying true to yourself. If you think strong men don’t wear rainbows, think again. STRONG tells the story of Rob Kearney, the only openly gay man to be named the strongest person in North America. Children will love the authors’ use of clever comparisons to show just how much weight Rob can lift: “That’s more than 800 stuffed rainbow unicorns! That’s more than 114 birthday cakes with chocolate frosting and confetti sprinkles!” Boldface font is used to emphasize words—mighty, sturdy, powerful—which helps guide the read aloud, teach new concepts, and engage the young reader. Boldface is also used to state plainly that Rob fell in love with his lifting partner Joey, in a truly powerful moment for queer representation in children’s literature. The illustrations by Nidhi Chanani are as fun and expressive as Rob’s clothes. Back matter gives more information about the Strongman event and a personal message from Rob. Give this book to the child discovering an interest in physical fitness and all those colorful characters who stand apart from the crowd.
December 24, 2023
In this engaging story featuring Strongman Rob Kearney, readers will not only be inspired by this true story but also by the ultimate message of being true to yourself. As a kid, Rob was strong. He could lift heavy boxes with ease, played tug-of-war like a champ, and guarded his team’s quarterback with power and muscle. Rob also enjoyed weightlifting and at age 17 was introduced to the Strongman competition that tested strength in various ways. While training, Rob wore what the other strongmen wore in order to fit in, but once his workout was over, he changed into his colorful and expressive clothing. At a weightlifting event, Rob met Joey and the two fell in love. Joey encouraged Rob to not conform to how he thought he should look but rather express himself not only through appearance but also through his exceptional athletic ability. Strong is co-authored by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood and coupled with vivid eye-catching digital illustrations by Nidhi Chanani. Not only will young readers increase their vocabulary through the use of bolded words in the text, they will also be empowered to find their own strength and superpower.
June 13, 2023
This book was from the 2023 Stonewall book awards list. This is a non-fiction story about a strongman. I will say, this is about as far away from my life as you can get. I know nothing about this world.
I honestly don't get why people love lifting heavy things. I get people do love it, but it's so foreign to me that I have a hard time putting myself in their shoes. I'm usually good about that. Empathy is a strong suit for me. This, I can't really understand. Obviously, this brings joy to some people - wonderful.
It was a great life story about a weight lifter and I learned about his sport. Rob won the North American Strongman competition one year. He also likes wearing bright colors to compete which is different.
Anyway, it was a great story told and any future weight lifters out there will enjoy the book. For those curious about this foreign world, it's a nice peak into their world.
I honestly don't get why people love lifting heavy things. I get people do love it, but it's so foreign to me that I have a hard time putting myself in their shoes. I'm usually good about that. Empathy is a strong suit for me. This, I can't really understand. Obviously, this brings joy to some people - wonderful.
It was a great life story about a weight lifter and I learned about his sport. Rob won the North American Strongman competition one year. He also likes wearing bright colors to compete which is different.
Anyway, it was a great story told and any future weight lifters out there will enjoy the book. For those curious about this foreign world, it's a nice peak into their world.
June 11, 2024
Spoiler-free summary:
""Strong" by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood is an inspiring memoir that chronicles Rob Kearney's journey as an openly gay professional strongman. Through his compelling story, Kearney shares his experiences of overcoming adversity, challenging stereotypes, and embracing his authentic self in a traditionally masculine sport. Alongside co-author Eric Rosswood, Kearney explores themes of resilience, identity, and the importance of self-acceptance. Through triumphs and setbacks, "Strong" celebrates Kearney's determination to break barriers and inspire others to embrace their strengths, both inside and out" (ChatGPT, June 10, 2024).
Commentary:
This book shows a lot of support toward LGBTQ+ relationships and the community. Even though students are thinking about this in elementary school, I believe that it is a subtle introduction to the idea that you can be whoever you want to be and also love whoever you want to love. Teaching children to also not judge other who do feel like they love someone of the same gender is a great way to stop bullying at a young age because that is very common nowadays.
Application:
In my classroom, we could read this during pride week, free-time, or even for our daily-read. I feel like this is a story that involves a lot of small conversations or even the private conversations that certain students may want to have with you after this book. But I would make sure that they all understand that it isn't a joke, and it isn't something that someone should be rude to another person for.
""Strong" by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood is an inspiring memoir that chronicles Rob Kearney's journey as an openly gay professional strongman. Through his compelling story, Kearney shares his experiences of overcoming adversity, challenging stereotypes, and embracing his authentic self in a traditionally masculine sport. Alongside co-author Eric Rosswood, Kearney explores themes of resilience, identity, and the importance of self-acceptance. Through triumphs and setbacks, "Strong" celebrates Kearney's determination to break barriers and inspire others to embrace their strengths, both inside and out" (ChatGPT, June 10, 2024).
Commentary:
This book shows a lot of support toward LGBTQ+ relationships and the community. Even though students are thinking about this in elementary school, I believe that it is a subtle introduction to the idea that you can be whoever you want to be and also love whoever you want to love. Teaching children to also not judge other who do feel like they love someone of the same gender is a great way to stop bullying at a young age because that is very common nowadays.
Application:
In my classroom, we could read this during pride week, free-time, or even for our daily-read. I feel like this is a story that involves a lot of small conversations or even the private conversations that certain students may want to have with you after this book. But I would make sure that they all understand that it isn't a joke, and it isn't something that someone should be rude to another person for.
September 6, 2022
Rob wants to be a strongman, but they all wear dull and gray colors. Rob is all about unicorns and rainbows. With the help of a supportive love interest, Joey, Rob, may find a way to unite his two selves.
The cartoon style of illustrations by Nidhi Chanani provide an innocent yet colorful look at Rob's perspective and the not-so-colorful world of heavy lifters. Rob Kearney is (as of the publication) the only openly gay Strongman in the world. He wears his pride, not only in his wardrobe, but in his rainbow mohawk.
I wish I had known about Rob's story as a younger man. It might have changed my perspective just a bit.
A great read about a great person being themselves, standing against the norm, because it is who they are!
The cartoon style of illustrations by Nidhi Chanani provide an innocent yet colorful look at Rob's perspective and the not-so-colorful world of heavy lifters. Rob Kearney is (as of the publication) the only openly gay Strongman in the world. He wears his pride, not only in his wardrobe, but in his rainbow mohawk.
I wish I had known about Rob's story as a younger man. It might have changed my perspective just a bit.
A great read about a great person being themselves, standing against the norm, because it is who they are!
January 31, 2023
2023 Stonewall Honor Book award for works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.
Rob Kearney is the only openly gay professional strongman in the world. The informational text by Ron Kearney and Eric Rosswood explains how her wanted to be a strongman, but didn’t fit the mold with his love of bold colors and patterns, and a rainbow colored Mohawk. Finding a man who supported and encouraged him to be himself and take pride in who he is and what he does has enabled him to work hard to make his dreams come true and to inspire other young athletes to “train to be the person they said you would never become.“
Midnight Chanani digitally created the illustrations
My 10 year old granddaughter thought it was a good book.
Rob Kearney is the only openly gay professional strongman in the world. The informational text by Ron Kearney and Eric Rosswood explains how her wanted to be a strongman, but didn’t fit the mold with his love of bold colors and patterns, and a rainbow colored Mohawk. Finding a man who supported and encouraged him to be himself and take pride in who he is and what he does has enabled him to work hard to make his dreams come true and to inspire other young athletes to “train to be the person they said you would never become.“
Midnight Chanani digitally created the illustrations
My 10 year old granddaughter thought it was a good book.
July 20, 2022
Rob loves lifting weights, but always wears the typical drab colors that strongmen wear when he goes out for competitions. That's until he meets and falls in love with Joey at the gym! Joey encourages Rob to be himself and wear the bright colors and fun patterns he usually wears, instead of the typical strongman attire. Outfitted in his own look, Rob wins the strongman competition! Note at the back provides information about Rob Kearney, the real-life first openly gay strongman.
Themes: Strength, Be Yourself, Queerness, Gender, Self-esteem, We're all the same/we're all different
Age range: Preschool-Elementary
Themes: Strength, Be Yourself, Queerness, Gender, Self-esteem, We're all the same/we're all different
Age range: Preschool-Elementary
July 21, 2024
This is a great book by Rob Kearney that promotes the themes of fostering positive relationships with those around you- and most importantly, with oneself. When we are able to do this, we not only have extra support but we can accomplish anything we set our minds to! I believe in this very strongly, and one of my classmates' discussion posts mentioned this book so I was very glad that I was able to read through it and experience the lessons for myself. The book is intended for young students, most likely elementary school aged and up, but the values within can be useful for any and all age groups.
May 1, 2022
STRONG
By Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood
STRONG is the story of Rob Kearney, the first openly gay strongman. From an early age, Rob enjoyed sports of all kinds. But it was in weightlifting where he found his true passion. With themes of being true to yourself, reaching for your dreams, and overcoming challenges, Kearney and Rosswood have a winner of a book. It encourages readers that they too can be strong.
By Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood
STRONG is the story of Rob Kearney, the first openly gay strongman. From an early age, Rob enjoyed sports of all kinds. But it was in weightlifting where he found his true passion. With themes of being true to yourself, reaching for your dreams, and overcoming challenges, Kearney and Rosswood have a winner of a book. It encourages readers that they too can be strong.
November 29, 2022
My mom always told me to be proud of who I am and don't let anyone bring you down.
I like that Rob has the same philosophy. He can be strong, dress the ways he likes and loves who he wants. I figure if you aren't hurting anyone else, I don't really care what you do.
And if you want to weight lift a refrigerator over your head, more power to ya!! That take a lot of training and determination.
I like that Rob has the same philosophy. He can be strong, dress the ways he likes and loves who he wants. I figure if you aren't hurting anyone else, I don't really care what you do.
And if you want to weight lift a refrigerator over your head, more power to ya!! That take a lot of training and determination.
October 3, 2023
A picture book memoir of the only openly gay professional strongman in the world. With bold, colorful artwork by Nidhi Chanani.
May 10, 2022
Rob has always been strong, but can he be the strongest person in North America? Rob finds out that the weights are not the hardest part of the competition. Based on the true story of Rob Kearney, this inspiring book not only shatters the stereotype of the LGBTQ community lacking physical strength, it also dismisses the stereotype of men are only men when they wear certain colors.
October 20, 2022
Really inspiring book about the world's first openly gay strongman. I love the message that Rob shows strength physically, and also emotionally in his persistence in achieving his goal and his decision to be true to himself, even when it meant being different. I think true friendship is also modeled well in Joey, who supports and uplifts Rob throughout the story.
December 30, 2022
Loved reading this non-fiction picture book about a current-day LGBTQ+ athlete/hero. It is a beautifully illustrated book that describes how a person develops the strength to learn to be himself in all environments. I recommend it to all elementary school classroom and school libraries and in upper grades for analysis.
June 15, 2023
My kid loved this book! He was fascinated by the weightlifting and loved learning about this guy. I would have given this four stars but I'm bumping it up because he liked it so much.
This is an uplifiting story about a strong man competitor who found love and the confidence to be himself. Great back matter about weightlifting is included. Also, fantastic cover!
This is an uplifiting story about a strong man competitor who found love and the confidence to be himself. Great back matter about weightlifting is included. Also, fantastic cover!
September 11, 2022
This is a great story about Rob Kearney, who I didn't know about until I read this book. This is such a good example of taking one person's story and finding a way for kids to connect with feeling out of place and overcoming that through finding community. Would recommend.
October 12, 2022
Wonderfully engaging and encouraging real-life story of really inspiring guy. I love the colorful illustrations. Great to have a picture book about a strong man champion and some details about the sport itself.
January 12, 2023
My daughter enjoyed this picture book about the only openly gay Strongman in the world. A colorful read about staying true to yourself and perseverance. Inspiring. Includes photos and additional information at the back of the book.
January 30, 2023
An interesting picture book biography of Rob Kearney, the first openly gay professional strong man who is known for his colorful outfits. A strong message of being true to yourself. Not a sport that is often written about for children. So, interesting on both counts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews