The Fabulous Edweena

The Fabulous Edweena, written by debut author Edwin Dumont, tells the story of a gender nonconforming child named Edwin who is excitedly anticipating a figure skating contest at school (his school has its own ice rink). He goes to his older sister Patsy’s closet to choose his outfit. Clearly, Edwin has done this before because he chooses his favourite dress, and his sister expresses no surprise when she sees him dressed in her clothes, boots, jewelry, wig, and makeup. Now Edwin has become Edweena and knows Edweena looks fabulous: “Today I’ll be the only one dressed in drag. It’ll be the first time my classmates will see me wear a dress and heels.”

However, Edweena starts to have some doubts when it is time to head out the door and pass by the mean boys at the end of the street. Edweena manages to get to the rink without being seen and waits to skate, heart thumping with excitement and nervousness as the rest of the children stare at the dress, makeup, and wig. How will they respond when Edweena steps out on the ice? Happily, Edweena skates flawlessly, twirling and landing big jumps; the audience cheers wildly, whooping and clapping! Everyone affirms both Edweena’s performance and appearance. Edweena thinks, “I had felt amazing on the ice, even with everyone staring, it wasn’t as scary as I’d thought. I felt truly fabulous.”

This picture book addresses important themes of self-acceptance and encouragement of others, even those who are different from ourselves. Edweena fears bullying and taunting but instead experiences nothing but acceptance. While this book oversimplifies Edwin/Edweena’s experience, it presents a positive story that very young children can understand. However, its treatment of how gender nonconforming children should best introduce their identities to their friends and classmates seems unrealistic and potentially harmful since Edwin/Edweena takes a huge risk in coming to the skating competition “in drag” without preparing friends or classmates in advance. Adults, including Edwin/Edweena’s parents and teachers, are completely absent from the story. What was their role in protecting the child and helping Edwin make the decision to skate as Edweena?

In The Fabulous Edweena, Edwin Dumont, as he notes in his author bio, has written a personal story with strong autobiographical elements. Dumont is of Ojibway heritage, and, while it is not stated explicitly, Edwin/Edweena’s First Nations background is subtly suggested by Melissa Cho’s cartoon-like illustrations. This is a sweet and positive story with a happy ending, but one that minimizes and downplays the significant challenges faced by gender nonconforming children, the complex process of sharing this identity with others, and the important need for adult support.