Phoenix loves to play with dolls and marvel at pretty fabrics. Most of all, he loves to dance—ballet, Pow Wow dancing, or just swirling and twirling around his house. Sometimes Phoenix gets picked on and he struggles with feeling different, but his mom and brother are proud of him. With their help, Phoenix learns about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture and just how special he is.

Based on the childhood experiences of her son, Phoenix, Marty Wilson-Trudeau demonstrates the difference that a loving and supportive family can make.

Marty Wilson-Trudeau is an Anishinaabe Kwe writer originally from M'Chigeeng, ON. She is a drama teacher at St. Charles College in Sudbury, ON. She is a mother to two wonderful sons, Brandan and Phoenix Wilson.

Marty Wilson-Trudeau's profile page

Megan Kyak-Monteith is an Inuk illustrator and painter born in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. She is currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and studying interdisciplinary arts at NSCAD University with a focus on painting. When she is not working on illustrations, she can be found watching movies with her friends, shopping, or working in her studio on her large-scale oil paintings.

Megan Kyak-Monteith's profile page

Phoenix Wilson is an Anishinaabe actor and dancer and is very proud of who he is. Phoenix started dancing ballet at age three, grass dancing at age five, and acting at age six. He can be seen in such projects as Longmire, Letterkenny, and the critically acclaimed movie Wild Indian. Phoenix is currently in Grade 11 where he excels in all his classes and has ambitions of becoming a corporate lawyer. 

Phoenix Wilson's profile page

• CBC Books Best Canadian for Kids and Teens'
• Winner, 2023 First Nation Communities READ Award - Children's Category
• Winner, First Nation Communities READ Award, Children's Category
• Commended, CBC Books Best Canadian Kids & YA Books

"With bright, expressive illustrations, incorporating pinks, blues and purples, this picture book is drawn from real-life Phoenix’s childhood and co-written with his mother. Even though Phoenix’s story is deeply personal, the themes of embracing who you are and the meaningfulness of a family’s unconditional love will resonate widely."

Booklist

"In a beautiful affirming story, Marty Wilson-Trudeau with Phoenix Wilson and Megan Kyak-Monteith share Phoenix’s story in Phoenix Gets Greater, showing readers that greatness comes from within."

Storytime with Stephanie

“In this personal-feeling family story, Wilson-Trudeau gives loving voice to the early experiences of her child Wilson, who also contributes… In saturated pinks and purples, Kyak-Monteith’s portrait-oriented art offers warmth to an individual narrative about acceptance, authenticity, and identity.”

Publishers Weekly