title: A Very, Very Noisy Tractor
author: Mar Pavón
illustrator: Nivola Uyá
date: Cuento do Luz, 2013
picture book

If you’ve ever been a woman, a person of color, Native American, disabled, overweight, too short, too poor, queer, or gifted with any other reason for someone to marginalize you then you’ll have a real affection for A Very, Very Noisy Tractor by Mar Pavón. It’s the story of a lady with too hair high, too blue a coat, too happy a smile who just should not be driving that noisy tractor. She’s told she should not because she’s a lady with too high hear, too happy a smile when really, no one thinks she should drive the tractor because no one thinks a lady should.

Have you ever been in that position where no one thinks you should take that class and they say it’s because it’s too hard for you but it’s really because you’re too brown? Or has someone ever told you not to apply for that job because it’s too far away and it’s really because you’re too queer? While the lady in this book faces many such assaults, her story ends on a good note, providing the reader with encouragement and many reasons to never give up. While young children will appreciate the story for its repetitive rhythm, positive outlook and vivacious illustrations, the book could also serve as a good tool for discussion microagressions with older children or adults.

Mar Pavón is an award winning children’s author who was born in Spain. She’s published over 30 books, most of which are poetry books and short stories.