Unfortunately, the text often feels like an exercise in preaching to the choir transphobes and critics of gender ideology aren't likely to be convinced that this rather didactic book holds value for youngsters in their care.
Little attention is paid to social movements oriented around gender issues, although a few individual changemakers, like Malala Yousafzai, are highlighted. Designed to prompt conversation, the book directly poses questions to readers such as “Do you think all people should be allowed to love whoever they want?” and “Should we feel bad about doing the things we like?” This strategy is mostly effective but at times undermines the potential for emotional resonance. The authors unequivocally make the case for gender diversity and gender parity using concrete, kid-friendly examples. One double-page spread is devoted to affirming the multitude of gendered family structures that exist. Children will also learn about the tough realities of gender stereotyping, gender inequality, gender policing, and homophobia.
The book explains the difference between biological sex and gender identity, teaches about gender inclusive pronouns, and offers a capsule history of gender norms, showing how they have varied cross-culturally and throughout time. Gravel and Blais-who is transgender-invite young readers to reflect on these questions. With its simple language, colorful illustrations, engaging backmatter that showcases how “appropriate” male and female fashion has changed through history, and even a poster kids can hang on their wall, here is the ideal tool to help in conversations about a multi-layered and important topic.Where do our ideas and assumptions about gender come from, and how might they be holding us back? Is it okay for boys to cry? Can girls be strong? Should girls and boys be given different toys to play with and different clothes to wear? Should we all feel free to love whoever we choose to love? In this incredibly kid-friendly and easy-to-grasp picture book, author-illustrator Elise Gravel and transgender collaborator Mykaell Blais raise these questions and others relating to gender roles, acceptance, and stereotyping. Simple, accessible, and direct, this picture book is perfect for kids and parents or teachers to read together, opening the door to conversations about gender stereotypes and everyone’s right to be their true selves. LGBTQIA+ (Nonfiction), Juvenile Nonfiction, Reference, Sociology
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