Book Review: Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff

You know how sometimes people have to come up with secret codes or signals to find others like them? Like a special handshake or an inside joke that only certain people understand? Well, that’s exactly what Are You a Friend of Dorothy? is about, except instead of a game, it was a real way for LGBTQ+ people to connect when being open about who they were wasn’t safe. Read on for a review of the picture book Are You a Friend of Dorothy? by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Levi Hastings.

Publisher provided a ARC for review, however all thoughts and opinions our own. This post contains affiliate links.  We earn a small commission for items purchased.

Back in the day, if you were gay, lesbian, or part of the LGBTQ+ community, you often had to hide it. Some people were rejected by their families, some lost their jobs, and some just felt totally alone. But humans are wired for connection and community. We find ways to create community, even when the world tries to keep us apart. That’s where this phrase (Are you a friend of Dorothy?) comes in. It was a quiet, clever way for people to ask, “Are you like me? Can we be safe together?” without actually saying the words out loud.

Who exactly was Dorothy? Are you a Friend of Dorothy? takes a playful approach, tossing out different ideas. Was she a real person? Maybe some fabulous socialite who threw parties where people could be themselves? Or was she Dorothy Gale, the girl from The Wizard of Oz who left her dull, black-and-white life for a vibrant, colorful world where she finally felt at home? The truth? Dorothy was nobody and everybody at the same time. And that’s what made the phrase so powerful. When authorities tried to track down this so-called Dorothy, they hit a dead end because she didn’t exist!

Now, let’s talk about the illustrations. Levi Hastings brings the book Are you a Friend of Dorothy? to life with rich, detailed artwork that captures the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. The colors, the expressions, the little moments between characters—it all feels so real and full of heart. You see people finding each other, sharing joy, supporting one another. It’s the kind of art that makes you want to linger on each page.

Are you a Friend of Dorothy? doesn’t just stop at storytelling. This is a typical Simon & Schuster book that includes a helpful section that explains terms like LGBTQ and queer in a way that makes sense for kids. Adults don’t always have the right words when kids ask big questions. This book helps with that. It gives young readers (and, honestly, their parents too) a way to understand these identities without overcomplicating things.

At its core, the book Are you a Friend of Dorothy? is about belonging. It’s about finding your people, even when the world tells you that you shouldn’t. It’s a gentle but powerful way to introduce kids to LGBTQ+ history, showing them that no matter what, there have always been people looking out for each other. If you’re a parent, teacher, librarian, or just someone who loves a beautifully told story, this book belongs on your shelf.