Book Review: Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is the most important book of the year!
Some children’s books make you laugh. Some teach you valuable lessons. And some make you feel seen. Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants does all three, and everything in-between! Written and illustrated by Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias, Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is an empowering reminder that being yourself is something worth celebrating!
Chris invited readers into a wonderfully silly world where animals have hilarious limitations, while humans have the freedom to express themselves however they choose. From furry-lipped llamas to hungry but clumsy hippos, every page bursts with imagination, laughter, and the reminder that there is no one “right” way to be. The star of the book is YOU. And of course, the piggies. The guinea pigs themselves, who refuse to be slowed down or restricted by something as arbitrarily human as pants. Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is the kind of book that ends up on repeat rotation in your home, with rhymes that insist on being read back to you, and animals that are so extra at everything they can and can’t do.
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| Photo by Danny Shuster |
Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is published by Rebel Goose Books, an independent publishing house located in Canada. The inspiration for the book began with Chris’ passion for making topics that seem complicated to some, like the difference between sex and gender, easier for people to understand. Chris made a playful comment that guinea pigs don’t wear pants, because animals don’t experience gender in the same way humans do, and the rest is history- or theystory. This resonated with people, and what started as a heartfelt and educational moment became the foundation for a story that is much bigger than the colourful pages that contain it.
Chris Paul Farias (they/them) is a Canadian author, advocate, keynote speaker, and content creator with hundreds of thousands of followers. They are an award winning creative strategist and founder of Unicorn Rebellion, a creative branding agency with a mission to help brands break free from the ordinary and embrace creativity, identity, and authenticity. Chris was awarded the King Charles Medal for Queer Advocacy for their work and dedication advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is their first book and it has received praise and endorsements from some names you may recognize, including Rosie O’Donnell, Paris Hilton, Fred Penner, Mae Martin, and Margaret Cho.
Chris is an animal lover at their core. Chris and their husband, Jared, have an extensive fur and feathered family- and a tortoise named Rock Hudson. And yes, their fur family includes guinea pigs! What Chris’ bio won’t tell you, that I know to be true, is that they are one of the most kind, genuine, and inspiring people I know. They gifted me with an illustration of me and Hazel before she passed away. Their kindness radiates from the vibrant pages of Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants.
Stories like this make children feel secure, and can help build a bridge with adults and other kids in their life that allows them to be their authentic self. Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants is more than a book. It’s a message every kid deserves to hear: You are loved exactly as you are. This is the kind of children’s book that changes lives. It’s Pride Month and families seeking 2SLGBTQIA+ picture books can’t go wrong with this gentle story that wraps its arms around you like a safe, warm hug. It’s funny, joyful, affirming, and the kind of story kids remember forever. A celebration of self-expression, identity, belonging, and being unapologetically YOU!
CLICK HERE to order Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants, or look for it wherever books are sold near you.
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| Illustrations by Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias, photography by Marta Hewson |
Visit the Guinea Pigs Don’t Wear Pants website to learn more, and to see book tour dates, access inclusive educational resources, and enter to win a fun-filled backpack!
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