An excellent book of photos about gender - and not at all about gender! I love the emphasis that girls don't have to be "girly," dresses are for everyAn excellent book of photos about gender - and not at all about gender! I love the emphasis that girls don't have to be "girly," dresses are for everyone, and colours are not gendered! At the same time, there are so many examples of different gender identities, expressions, and representations of kids who are questioning, or constantly changing identities. Most of the picture books I read are illustrated, but there is something so powerful about seeing these photographs. To know that these are real kids, really living, dressing, identifying in these ways is so priceless, and would be even more so to a child questioning their gender.
An essential part of a well-rounded queer library....more
A beautiful alphabet book with words like "gay," "queer," "nonbinary," and "ze/zir." Lots to look at in every picture, and some more complex word/pictA beautiful alphabet book with words like "gay," "queer," "nonbinary," and "ze/zir." Lots to look at in every picture, and some more complex word/picture combinations like "courage" and "inclusion," which take some closer observation to see in the pictures. I like that the book is physically larger than many small board books, which allows for more detailed pictures and feels less like reading a typical board book and more like a picture book.
Not ideal for reading aloud, as there are so few words and so much in the images. Would be perfect for one-on-one reading and joint observations....more
So perfect! I liked it even better than My Shadow is Pink, although that book is also perfect.
I love this one because it really emphasises that pink So perfect! I liked it even better than My Shadow is Pink, although that book is also perfect.
I love this one because it really emphasises that pink and blue are not the only options! And even purple is not the only alternative option! The main character is a purple-shadowed-boy who loves all the things - sports, dancing, trains, ponies, and glitter! For the school dance, his mom makes him a skirt and his dad makes him a suit top. But once he gets there, the teacher tells the students to divide themselves into pink and blue - as teachers so often like to do. The blues call our boy over, and so do the pinks. He knows he is neither, and decides that leaving is the only option true to himself. Until another boy comes over and shows off his YELLOW shadow! Then a little girl joins them to show her BROWN shadow! Then lots of kids share their shadows of all different colours!
I love this so SO much!! Even outside of a gender-queer, trans, or non-binary context, we all should feel free to show our true colours. And most people have some pink and some blue, even if they try to only present one or the other. Gender is a social construct FOR US ALL and it's about time we break free from these silly rules about who we are allowed to be!...more
Follows a little girl of colour and her white dads as they explore the question of why people sing. The images that accompany the different reasons - Follows a little girl of colour and her white dads as they explore the question of why people sing. The images that accompany the different reasons - to say I love you, to pray, just for fun, or to speak truth to power - feature different communities around the world and all the richness that each culture contains. The words are simple and few, but there is lots to look at and discuss in each picture. A great way to easily differentiate reading for different levels and attention spans....more
Sweet and simple, and subtly queer. Shares colourful illustrations of different animals showing love in different ways. Each page is a different colouSweet and simple, and subtly queer. Shares colourful illustrations of different animals showing love in different ways. Each page is a different colour, and the last page shows all the colourful animals together to make a rainbow. Love is love ♡...more
Beautiful book representing an Indigenous family and community that includes many queer and non-binary members. Written by a 2-spirit person who longeBeautiful book representing an Indigenous family and community that includes many queer and non-binary members. Written by a 2-spirit person who longed for this type of representation, inclusion, and acceptance in their childhood, they lovingly created the community they wanted for the young indigenous children of today.
Have read another one by this author, and plan to read them all!...more
Little baby Phoenix was born to his mom and big brother who love him so much! Phoenix loves dressing up in shawls and dancing around his house. He lovLittle baby Phoenix was born to his mom and big brother who love him so much! Phoenix loves dressing up in shawls and dancing around his house. He loves dolls and ballet and soft, pretty fabrics. At school, kids make fun of him because he's not like the other boys who likes trucks and bugs. He finally acknowledges that he's different, and he's gay. This makes him feel sad at first, until his mom teaches him about "Niizh Manidoowag" or "two spirit." These are special people who have not just one spirit inside them, but two - a masculine and a feminine. These people are highly valued by their Indigenous culture, and Phoenix feels pride and connection with other niizh manidoowag people. His brother and mom give him a big hug, cry with him, and tell him all that matters is that he's happy! A lovely story about unconditional family love and acceptance. ...more
I really enjoyed this book, as well as Julian is a Mermaid. They're very pretty books that show different ways to play and express yourself, especiallI really enjoyed this book, as well as Julian is a Mermaid. They're very pretty books that show different ways to play and express yourself, especially in ways that are typically unnecessarily gendered. Julian likes soft fabrics and dancing and dressing up. I think both books are excellent examples of diverse gender expressions.
I only gave it three stars, because I have heard criticism of these books because the author is not part of the culture she is depicting. She is a white woman, which makes it a very odd choice to tell a story about another culture. While the illustrations are beautiful, I don't know if they are culturally accurate and am depending on the author for that accuracy. Another criticism I have heard is that although in Julian is a Mermaid his Abuela immediately and easily accepts his dressing like a mermaid and playing with "girly" things. While this is a beautiful concept, it may not be an accurate representation of the experiences of gender/queer children growing up in different cultures.
*However, I did see on the author's website that all her picture books are LGBTQIA+ friendly! ...more
Fantastic and beautifully illustrated story about a family with 2 moms and a Zachary having a Jewish naming ceremony for their brand new baby girl! ItFantastic and beautifully illustrated story about a family with 2 moms and a Zachary having a Jewish naming ceremony for their brand new baby girl! It's just repetitive enough to be comforting, but not so much that it takes over the story. I loved it!! ...more
Loved this autobiographical graphic novel by Tegan and Sara. Twin sister singer/songwriters take us back to jr. high and share all their awkward, hurtLoved this autobiographical graphic novel by Tegan and Sara. Twin sister singer/songwriters take us back to jr. high and share all their awkward, hurtful, and confusing feelings and experiences. From puberty and periods, to learning the guitar, to making new friends and figuring out their own sexual and gender identities. I think this would be a great book for young readers to be exposed to, as it makes all those big, confusing and scary feelings feel a little less scary and isolating....more
Great story by authors with a gender-nonconforming child who inspired the book. Jacob loves to wear dresses, and his teacher, parents, and best friendGreat story by authors with a gender-nonconforming child who inspired the book. Jacob loves to wear dresses, and his teacher, parents, and best friend know there's nothing wrong with that. One boy at school is a bit of a bully, but by the end Jacob doesn't care - he's proud of the dress he makes himself with his mom, and that's all that matters!
Sweet, inclusive board book. Each page explores a colour relating to the pride flag (red heart, orange cuddles, yellow sunshine, etc.) The pride-ness Sweet, inclusive board book. Each page explores a colour relating to the pride flag (red heart, orange cuddles, yellow sunshine, etc.) The pride-ness is very understated, mostly talking about colours and showing different families. The last page is about rainbow colours for pride and the next page says what each of the colours in the flag stands for. Simple, accessible, sweet. ...more
Fantastic story about a boy who feels different (all the men in his family have blue shadows, but his is pink). Dad seems big and intimidating at firsFantastic story about a boy who feels different (all the men in his family have blue shadows, but his is pink). Dad seems big and intimidating at first, but he comes through in a big way for his pink-shadowed boy. ...more
Excellent, simple, clear little story about different people and their pronouns. Includes he/she/they/ze pronouns and a child who only uses the name JExcellent, simple, clear little story about different people and their pronouns. Includes he/she/they/ze pronouns and a child who only uses the name Juno. Simple and inclusive illustrations. Ends with a mirror and the question, "What words feel best to you?"...more
LOVED it! Such great representation! Some kids are boys, some kids are girls, some are both and some are neither. When a baby is born, we make a guessLOVED it! Such great representation! Some kids are boys, some kids are girls, some are both and some are neither. When a baby is born, we make a guess about their gender identity. Sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong. There is also all kinds of other great representation in the pictures, including different abilities, queer families, different races and religions, etc. Excellent.
Even though it's a junior book, it would work as a read-aloud. There's not too much text, but perhaps the language and concepts are more advanced than a typical picture book? I still think it's appropriate for little ones though!...more
LOVED IT! A celebration of all kinds of bodies! Things that I've never seen other books address like hairy fingers, unibrows, big bellies, and spots. LOVED IT! A celebration of all kinds of bodies! Things that I've never seen other books address like hairy fingers, unibrows, big bellies, and spots. Each page has a short rhythmic phrase describing some of the many bodies on each page, always ending with "Bodies are cool."
Other than being cool, there is never any judgement statement put on any of the bodies. It's all just stated as fact - "some bodies are big, some are hairy. Bodies are cool!"...more
Loading...
