My Teacher Has Tattoos

This is a cute, short picture book about opening up your worldview. As kids, our teachers seem like they don’t have a life or any interests outside of the classroom. Xavier is shocked that his new teacher has tattoos, because his mother is always telling him that anyone with a tattoo is a bad guy.

But Mr. Mendoza is nice, and he’s even the new baseball coach!

Can someone with tattoos actually be…a good person?

Are there other reasons why people get a tattoo?

My thanks to NetGalley and Soaring Kite Books for an advance ebook. All opinions are my own.

This is a great look into stereotypes and how they aren't always what they seem. We can't teach our children to think that a certain thing, be it a tattoo, means a person is a certain way.

Lovely illustrations too.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

This is a great story about stereotypes and how much they influence our lives, I loved the way the professor explained tattoos to the students and the art was just beautiful. Overall, a nice little story about breaking taboos.

An absolutely excellent way to talk to kids who may have questions about tattoos.
Stereotypes can be about all sorts of things, and this is a great place to talk about some.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can see the appeal of this book. It teaches about stereotypes in a different way than you might expect to see. It provides a historical and culturally diverse introduction to the practice of tatooing. The way the story is written didn't really resonate with me, but I do think it will with a lot of people.

My Teacher Has Tattoos by Darren Lopez is a picture book designed to help children understand stereotypes, why they're harmful, and how they can be wrong. I appreciate the way the author centered the book on a male elementary teacher and how excited the main character was to finally have a male teacher. The discussions about tattoos and the related stereotypes came across as a bit forced to me, but those conversations could definitely be awkward in real life. I did enjoy the way the teacher finally took the time to have a conversation with his students about his tattoos and the personal and cultural meanings behind them. I think the best part of the book is knowing that the author wrote the book about real experiences that happened during his first year of teaching.

Thank you to NetGalley and Soaring Kite Books for the opportunity to review an eARC of this title.

I don't have tattoos! But I have many friends with tattoos, and all for different reasons. Some are honoring their family, others have group affiliations, others want to express support for a cause... So many reasons. Yet I still hear these false stereotypes about people with tattoos.
This is an adorable picture book that shows how pointless it is to stereotype and how much we can learn about each other when we're open to our differences.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I received an electronic ARC from Soaring Kite Books through NetGalley.
Lopez wrote this story to share with younger readers (and perhaps some older ones) about stereotyping. In particular, making decisions based on someone having tattoos without learning more about them and their art. We see Xavier struggle with his teacher having tattoos as his mother has taught him to see them as gang symbols on men who hang around a certain area in their neighborhood. He isn't sure what to think and asks about them until his teacher shares with the whole class. The teacher has tattoos on his arm and shares where and why he got them. They all represent his desire to honor education and his heritage. The illustrations capture the neighborhood and the classroom. The characters' expressions show them working to understand and change some of their thinking. Well done book to make readers of all ages think about how they may stereotype people.

In the barrio where Xavier lives, tattoos mean only one thing: gang membership. So when he notices that Mr. Mendoza has tattoos, Xavier is taken aback. Teachers don’t have tattoos, do they? And Mr. Mendoza doesn’t look like a criminal. What can this mean?

Darren Lopez’s book debunks stereotypes and warns against judging people by their appearance — always a good lesson! — without ever getting preachy. The story is based on what happened to him in his first year teaching in Washington, D.C. Highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Soaring Kite Books in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This was great. This book had an important theme about stereotypes and prejudices. I liked how gentle it was about teaching kids to reevaluate what they think or have been taught before. It had fun art and was a quick read with an impactful message.

I like the message this book sends. It is important to not judge a book by its cover. I like how the teacher explains the importance of tattoos on different people and how he got his tattoos. This was a cute book and the pictures were really good as well.

I enjoyed the premise of My Teacher Has Tattoos as being a tool to navigate stereotypes and how they don't accurately give a person's whole story. However, I felt the concepts were too vague to be taught in a way that was impactful for children. It focused a little too much on culture, when sometimes people are they way they are because that's who they want to be.

I thought the illustrations in this book were lovely and the character were well-drawn and diverse!
I do think the "message" through the discussion with the teacher and students felt a bit forced, but overall this is an intriguing read that I think will stand out and be a great book to use to spark discussion with elementary aged kiddos.

This book follows a boy as he learns about tattoos from different people. There are stereotypes that his mother and classmates have in mind about tattoos, but his new teacher gives more insight into tattoos. I love the message of this book as it is an important topic for kids to understand. I think this book would be best read at home or at libraries though. As a public school teacher, unfortunately in my area at least, there would be push back from the community about giving “opinions” on tattoos. I also think the execution of the discussion could have been more fleshed out. The sports analogy was really the only example given to kids. I also wish there were a conversation between the teachers and the main characters mom. He just kind of undercut her ideals, even if it was with good intentions.

Miigweetch NetGalley and Soaring Kite Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

"My Teacher Has Tattoos" presents a thought-provoking narrative addressing stereotypes in a classroom setting. While the story's intention to tackle preconceptions is commendable, some readers might find the subject matter challenging for a children's book. The tone of the story is upbeat, straightforward, and presented without much nuance. The illustrations are lovely and a nice complement to the story.

I recommend this book to both new and seasoned educators. I also believe it would make a good addition to an elementary school library.

A child has been told that all people with tattoos are evil, and bad. He has also been told that teachers are good and to be respected. So what happens when his teacher has tattoos. How can he reconcile both truths?

So, he finally asks his teacher. He tells him about people who are bad who have tattoos. So the teacher begins a discussion about assumptions and prejudices, and then explains what the tattoos mean to him. How each of them have a deep meaning for him. From a tattoo of a Hindu goddess of education to a Borneo flower representing knowledge and wisdom.

Once the boy and the class understand they look for other assumptions they have made in their life about people, such as assuming that one of their classmates who plays soccer can’t also be good at baseball.

Very simple story to teach children to never assume. Or at least ask questions. The tattoo drawings are pretty amazing too.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. The book has already been published.

This picture book portrays a little boy's admiration for his teacher and his alarm over the fact that his teacher has tattoos, since his cultural environment and his mom have primed him to associate tattoos with gangs and criminal activity. Eventually, his teacher explains that even though tattoos sometimes symbolize gang membership, they can also represent many positive things.

The teacher explains what his tattoos mean to him, and talks about the cultural and religious significance of tattoos in some countries. The main character learns to see beyond the single story he had about tattoos, and the book ends with him seeing past other stereotypes as well. I think this story is very thoughtful and helpful, and the illustrations are great, especially since they introduce images of cultural diversity surrounding tattoos.

This picture book is based on the author's personal experience as a tattooed teacher in Washington, D.C. It is great for classroom use in many different environments, and for parents to share with kids. This handles a rarely represented topic in a clear and helpful way, and conveys a universal message about not judging people's character based on their appearance. The author also included discussion questions at the end that adults can use to further discuss stereotypes with kids. I am very impressed with how unique and effective this book is, and I highly recommend it.

"What are some things you believed to be true but turned out to be false?"

Mr. Mendoza is a teacher who loves the Yankees. And, he has tattoos. Beautiful illustrations show readers representation, homage, and treasuring one's past, as they "are a part of a person's journey in life."

This children's fiction text addresses stereotypes and invites readers to examine belief systems and cultures.

Thank you #NetGalley and #SoaringKiteBooks for the ARC!

This is a great picture book that guides the reader through stereotyping and stigmas. The stigma this book addresses is tattoos, but it could be used with children to help them understand all types. There were some aspects of the story that detracted from the message in my opinion, but it was well done otherwise.

What a wonderful book! I love the way this book embraces the diversity of body art. It's a cute way to introduce tattoo stories to younger children and the young at heart. Thank you for the arc and I voluntarily read it and this is my honest opinion.

the art work in this book is beautiful. I love the message of incorrect stereotyping and the significance of tattoos I just wish it would flow a little better. I think it’s a wonderful book for opening up discussions but it seemed a bit chaotic and messy with the flow

I loved this story book! As someone who has tattoos and have heard so many negative things towards me about them this seems very important. Lately it seems more and more people have tattoos. Wither one or a ton - it does not make them any less of a person but the older generation believe it to be so. This book shows that yes, they can have some bad meanings but that doesn't mean everyone has them for those meanings. So we shouldn't judge someone just based on what is on their body. People are all different and its amazing. One amazing book for this generation and further generations to read!

a very interesting take on tattoos to
kids. sometimes they’re associated as bad and usually on bad people but in this book they explain that tattoos can express emotions and creativity to many others and they’re not a sign of bad. and then the teacher talks about what his tattoos are and why. as a mom with tattoos, i think it’s important to help normalize tattoos on anyone to kids and not view them as bad.

I absolutely love this book! The artwork is beautiful, and the message about not giving into stereotypes is even more beautiful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

I'll admit, I thought the title of this book was silly at first. Upon reading it, I realized that it's actually a very important book, especially nowadays when everyone seems to have one.

It's really a great way to lead a discussion on stereotypes and how they are harmful.

This book was just meh. It felt confusing and didn't clearly make it's point. I think there are better ways to discuss tattoos that can be much more authentic and clear.

Love the way this book overcomes the stereotype that having tattoos is a negative thing. I like how the teacher explains the different reasons for having tattoos to his students.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. I really enjoyed this simple read and the straightforward way it deals with such a challenging topic as stereotypes and prejudices. I think this would be a perfect addition to any children's/classroom library.

As a former teacher who also has tattoos . . . this book was an instant grab.
The idea of working a professional job and having tattoos is much newer than most people think and I liked how this book was able to stop and explain the different meanings that can be behind tattoos on people's bodies.
This could be a good SEL story as well to help discuss and teach inclusivity despite outward appearances.

"My Teacher Has Tattoos" is about how things aren't always what they seem and eliminating stereotypes. Perfect for classrooms, it gets you thinking about prejudices and social divides while being a fun read. The author's creative, which is why the story is so appealing. The story is heartwarming, especially with those adorable illustrations. It's based on the real-life experience of a teacher-the author. Highly recommended.

I loved this book!I have been teaching long enough to remember when teachers could not show tattoos. I worked with a woman who would never wear dresses because she had them on her leg!
This book discusses stereotypes and has discussion questions at the end which would be helpful in any classroom.

After 30 plus years of teaching, I finally got a tattoo on my wrist to proudly show!

The best part of this book was the lesson Mr. Mendoza taught using the example that "not all New Yorkers like the Yankees"
Discussions like the one Mr. Mendoza introduced about "things we thought were true but turned out false" is something that could be difficult to start, but this book does so in a entertaining and eye catching way. There is also cool representation featured when they discuss the background of Mr. Mendoza's tattoos, and transparency on history of tattoos with gang affiliation. I really enjoyed this book, and would gladly use this as a staff pick or book club book. There's discussion questions in the back that I think could help in classroom settings as well.