Chinese Edition (Simplified): You Be You! Explaining Gender@@ Love & Family

by Jonathan Robert Branfman, Julie Benbassat (Illustrator), You Dou (Translator)

"You Be You!" makes gender identity, romantic orientation, and family diversity easy to explain to kids. We also cover discrimination, privilege, and how to stand up for what’s right. This book is for kids of all ages, with beautiful illustrations, clear explanations, and short sections. Read a little or a bunch at a time—whatever you and your kids feel like. Enjoy, and help build a happier and more accepting world!

Genres: Nonfiction, LGBT, Childrens, Middle Grade, Queer, Social Justice, Picture Books

76 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2017

About the author

Jonathan's writing draws on his PhD expertise in Gender Studies, Jewish Studies, and Media Studies, as well as his own Jewish gay identity. He currently holds a research fellowship at Stanford. You can read more at https://www.jonathanbranfman.com/

Reviews

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good non-fiction primer for elementary school age kids on LGBTQIA stuff! And when I write that acronym, I mean all those letters! Intersex, asexual, aromantic, bi/pan, genderqueer, and trans identities are referenced and explained in here. In addition to basics about gender, bodies, and romantic/sexual orientation, the book also covers the concepts of privilege and discrimination (and explains them as opposites, which strangely is a simple way to explain this that I never thought of before??) and intersectionality. I especially appreciate the intersectionality section! I think the only quibble I have is the explanation of homophobia as including discrimination against bi, pan, and ace people. While I agree bi/pan people can face homophobia sometimes, the inclusion of ace people feels forced, especially as the book includes biphobia specifically, but nothing specifically about discrimination against ace people. I don't really think homophobia covers that because being ace in and of itself has noting to do with same-gender romantic or sexual attraction.

American-centric, FYI. References to the bathrooms bills in particular, as well as laws against same-sex marriage, etc. This might date the book a bit when these situations change or aren't in the spotlight as much.

The illustrations are pretty great, and sometimes delightfully metaphorical, such as when a dragon is put in the path of one runner to explain discrimination. There's also lovely ethnic and racial diversity, as well as ability and body shape and size (although some more fat people would have been nice?).

The further reading for adults at the back is helpful, but only in so far as it lists authors, not specific books, which I think might be even more useful.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be a staple in all schools, and child / adult services. A few years ago we was told our autistic daughter had gender identity issues and could wish to change gender in the future, that was all we was give, no information, no booklet, no guide . nothing. This book is what we should have been pointed to. Jonathan has written a brilliant book here that will greatly help children and adults in what can be a scary and difficult time. i also believe it could educate children at a younger age to the differences in people and ultimately increase support and understanding , and in turn reduce bullying, and discrimination. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kate Buechler]

I wish that this book would have included a glossary given that the intended audience is children. Loved the illustrations! Was particularly tickled by the drawn depiction of allo vs. ace.

[Isaiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.

I am always trying to stay current on the books put out to kids about queer issues and about sexuality in general. This book seemed like it would be perfect for me. It mentions gender and sexuality right on the cover after all.

The issue is this book just isn’t that great. There are issues with the language. Its “autistic person” not “person with autism” for example. They do the same thing with deaf. I am not the most hip about things, but even I know that. I have read just a few books on the subject and I know better. Which makes me think that the author relied on books about autism and autistic people, but not by autistic people. If I was doing research for a book that I would have to explain concepts to anyone, I would make sure to get information from the community I am trying to talk about.

The age range is also a concern for me. 7-11 is young. I was precocious, but would I have been talking about genetics at 7? No. So some of the concepts are a bit advanced. Intersectionality is covered, which I love, but using that term in particular doesn’t make sense for a 7 year old. Naming a chapter that or making it a note for parents at the end like This Day in June does would make more sense for a lot of the concepts that are covered. There is also the issue of how sexuality and gender were talked about. The terms used were outdated. Some of them are usually a sign to me that the person has no idea what they are talking about and I should leave.

Ace and aro are talked about, but it wasn’t done well. The whole like half a page devote to the topic wasn’t bad, but it was far from good. It was simplistic in a way that the other sexualities weren’t. On the next page, the author equates physical attraction to romantic attraction thus invalidating asexuality, since the only thing that the author seemed to understand was a super basic and incorrect view of what asexuality actually is. Seriously. I am ace. I have sex. I enjoy kissing. I hate cuddling. I am in a group for kinky aces. Aces aren’t all sex averse or touch averse, some are one, some are both. It is complicated. So saying that romantic attraction involves wanting to kiss someone does not work. I am also aro. I want to kiss people, doesn’t mean I’m in love with them. My partner is gay (homosexual if you will, literally brought up in the book that homosexual is outdated, but when heterosexual is brought up it is not outdated?) and he has kissed MANY, MANY, MANY men. He was/is quite popular with the men in town. He wasn’t in love with any of them. Considering the book covers such intense concepts of what sexism is, you would think there would be a bit more finesse here as well.

Speaking of talking about sexism. The book tries to cover sexism, transphobia, and homophobia. So fun fact, homophobia is not the same as biphobia. There is no difference in the book. Transmisogyny is not the same as sexism or transphobia, but in this book transmisogyny is the same as transphobia or it doesn’t exist.

The chapter on being an ally is so close to being good. My issue is with the “never ever say or do something to hurt someone” part. I am not a perfect person. I have learned more in the last few years than I ever learned when I was 7-11 about being a good person and an ally, I fucked up a lot of things. I will say something awful and not realize it is awful. So according to this book, I am not an ally. I have already lost. If there was a sentence about “if you do say or do something to hurt someone, apologize and try to do better”, then I wouldn’t have issues with this chapter. Seriously, it is impossible to be 100% perfect all of the time. Putting the pressure on a 7 year old to be perfect is unfair. Though the second point about listening to someone who is actually in the group about what is happening is spot on. I wish more people would have that view. Stop fighting with women about what is sexist. Stop fighting with trans people about what is transphobic.

The tone of the book read as if it was a picture book for toddlers. The content (word choices, concepts) read as much older than the writing. There is a huge disconnect between the two. It felt like it was patronizing and I didn’t enjoy that.

The art was my favorite part was the art. I loved the art. There were details that just made my heart sing. If I was judging just based off art, this would be a five star book with no questions. It has all the elements I liked from some of my favorite comic series and it was approachable. It didn’t bog down the pictures with too much in the background. The sex organ drawings were very clearly anatomy maps and not genitalia. So many people complain about showing children what their genitalia actually looks like, but this book found a way around that in keeping things very scientific and then very vague. I am a little upset about that. Children should be allowed to have information about their bodies. I can go on a huge rant about this, instead I will give an example. I teach sex ed to teenagers in the local county jail. I was doing vagina trivia. The kids had to answer questions about vaginas from the very basics to more obscure. The boys and the girls (I teach them separately, because they are housed apart) couldn’t tell me where the urethra was. One of the boys even went to far as to claim that the urethra is right above the testicles. That boy is a father. He has multiple children. He doesn’t even know the very basics.

Despite the issues with execution, the book wasn’t bad per say. It was just not what I was hoping for and not what I was expecting. It was an incredible let down. I seem to be in the minority for this book, but I just can’t praise something just because it has queer rep in it. I wanted this to be better. I wanted to love it. I wanted to have more books out there that were talking to the young queer and telling them they aren’t broken, but I don’t think this is the book I would use.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource! This book does a great job of covering issues of gender and sexuality in a comprehensive and age-appropriate way.

[BiblioBickie]

Not perfect but also pretty good basic introduction to and norming of the wide variety of gender identities, sexual orientations, and family structures (getting married v. not, having kids v. not - no mention of adoption). Chapters on discrimination, privilege, and intersectionality are good basic introductions that explicitly state people with privilege are not bad because of their privilege. Description of being an ally includes the phrase "never" be mean to others; that is a high bar.

Fairly inclusive illustrations including a few people in wheelchairs and a person in sunglasses using a cane. There were not any super fat people, though many were people who are what would often be described as fat. There is a person in a hijab with a Puerto Rican flag, and there is a black person with a kippah. Most couples appear to be mixed race. There are three nude illustrations, two of a man and a woman, and one with them plus an intersex person. In all three, the woman's breast(s) are visible. In two, the people all have their reproductive organs illustrated, and in one, the man and woman are holding clothes up but showing a breast and a penis. These are line drawings that do not have any detail, just the barest minimum of shapes.

Books Beyond Binaries has a good review of some of the things this book doesn't get quite right: https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2019....

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will 100% read this with my kids. I think it does a great job of relating these concepts in a simple way that cuts to the heart of the issues. The art is fantastic and I love that there are so many illustrations.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Be You! was written to introduce children to the concepts of sex, gender, sexual orientation, discrimination, and privilege. I have seen many books with a similar aim, but rarely find one I would read to my own kids – not because of the content, but because I don’t think it was done well enough. As someone with an advanced degree in Women Gender and Sexuality Studies, I get a little picky. You Be You! however is one that I could see reading to my kids in a few years (it’s targeted to kids 5-10 years old – I think it’s just too long for my 4 year old to sit through at this point).

The book is divided into chapters including “The Sexes,” “Gender,” “Gender Identity,” “Love and Attraction,” and more. Each chapter starts by referencing the social myth – that there are only two genders, for example, or that everyone born with certain genitalia grow up to identify as a certain gender and fall in love with a different one – and then gently breaks down the myth by explaining other ways these things can happen. Even if a baby with a vagina does grow up to identify as a woman, she might not fall in love with a man, or fall in love at all! After exploring some of the various ways people experience gender, sex, or attraction, each chapter ends with a version of “Whichever way you feel, that’s ok!”

While there are several chapters, each one is just a few pages with accessible language and colorful illustrations. What impressed me most about this book was how it took some difficult ideas like privilege and intersectionality and made them seem accessible to a young readership. Certainly most kids would need to follow it up with a conversation to really break down the ideas, but as the author notes, many people aren’t exposed to these ideas until college, or later. That’s not soon enough! So if an 8 year old reads this book, on their own or with a parent, even if they don’t understand it all at least a seed has been planted.

While I don’t think there is a perfect book for introducing these topics to young kids, this is the closest I’ve found yet. Definitely worth checking out if you have young people in your life! Heck, I know adults who could probably benefit from this book too!

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The introductory section is excellent, everything I ever would have wanted in short and clear sentences with big illustrations, exploring what kids are seeing in the world around them about how gender is *supposed* to work.... and then turning those expectations on their head!

The illustrations are overall amazing, beautifully enhancing and supporting the text, but also adding many people of color, people with disabilities, and religious diversity.

I was taken aback at some of the language issues, such as the use of "gender nonbinary." Has this term ever been used? Why are people not aware that it's not now?

Unfortunately the sections on being intersex, asexual, or aromantic left something to be desired even while it's like... nice that the author tried. And I was perplexed to see the watering down of concepts of power and oppression into stuff about discrimination and privilege. I don't think it's too much to adequately address power for this age group, I think it's doable.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, very necessary and very much not allowed in many schools and libraries in the U.S. It's a short chapter book explaining diversity in kid friendly terms. Includes chapters on the sexes, gender, gender identity, love and attraction, having kids, discrimination, privilege, intersectionality, being an ally, you be you!

The book was written pre-COVID when ridiculous bathroom laws were being discussed. Illustrations shows uncomfortable child having to pee but not being able to use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender.

YES this is all NORMAL and YES books like these are necessary and not at all obscene.

Illustrations show naked man and woman with internal organs, naked intersex person with internal organs, naked people half hidden by clothing but yes his male organ shows and one of her breasts (this is a normal body part, we all have them), naked boy, naked girl, same sex couples kissing/hugging/being romantic.

[Cristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this book is geared toward older children. However, I really feel like it's something all adults need to read, too. The concepts are simply written and easy to understand. The illustrations are beautiful and relevant. I know there is going to be some push-back, considering the topic. But, the underlying theme of the book is that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness, something I would hope everyone could get behind.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for kids and parents to discuss gender, sexuality, and family. My 8-year-old daughter and I had some great talks about the subjects covered in this book. I LOVED how the last couple chapters of this book talked about discrimination, privilege, and how to be an ally to people who face discrimination. Also, in addition to being a very informative and helpful book, the illustrations were fantastic and very well done.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent resource for parents on gender, sexuality and family. I was very impressed with how the author explains it all along with intersectionality, prejudice and allyship. I highly recommend this for reading and discussing with your kids.

[Ashley Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up for the kids because they’re getting curious and starting to ask questions. While it took me minutes to read, I think it’s best to go slow with kiddos. It has the potential to feel like drinking from a firehose. But the vocabulary and terms are so clear and well-defined that it will be an excellent primer for conversations. Honestly, it would be helpful for adults struggling to grasp some of the vocabulary around these topics. I want to arm my kids with the vocabulary and knowledge to better understand themselves, their family and friends, and those they come into contact with on a regular basis. This book is an excellent aid in that endeavor.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

You Be You attempts to change readers’ perceptions; however, like Paul Harvey would say, “Now, the rest of the story.”

Would I allow a child in my care to read You Be You? Of course I would after I’ve read You Be You because I first need to understand what was left out and determine why it was left out! Was information left out on purpose to indoctrinate? My conclusion may not be your conclusion but it is essential for your conclusion to be a critical and logical conclusion before introducing this to your child.

You Be You will be a five-star read for readers who are looking for validation.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gem of a books is a necessity in libraries, schools, daycares, and most importantly, the home. This easy reader really breaks down different aspects of gender, sexuality, and family so children can come to an understanding. This is a foundation to further discussions children will have with grown-ups and each other as they come to discover the unique world around them.

I'm so glad I ordered this for my library and will be immediately adding a copy to my home collection for my child.

[Ron Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great starter book for kids to not just learn about gender and sexuality but privilege and intersectionality as well.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES. YES TO ALL OF THIS.

A gender and sexuality education book for young kids. Like, curious preschoolers and early elementary kids. YES. A gender and sexuality book that includes intersex, ace/aro, and nonbinary people. YES. A gender and sexuality book that normalizes life choices to not get married, not have kids, be a single parent, etc. as all valid and good. YES. A book for this young age that explains SO SIMPLY intersectionality and discrimination and ways of being an ally. YES. Plus it's got SUPER CUTE illustrations of all types of kids and people being their cute little cartoon selves, in a way that's inclusive and yet more realistic than the drawings in Sex Is a Funny Word or What Makes a Baby, where cartoon people were orange and purple and green and not very realistic-looking. YES YES YES.

The ONLY drawbacks to the book, if I'm being SUPER nit-picky, is the choice of person-first language when describing disability, especially in reference to autistic people and the Deaf community (person with autism and person with deafness are used). It's clunky and doesn't respect what disabled people in 2019 are asking allies to use. Also, the discussion of privilege is GREAT but doesn't address the myth of "straight-passing privilege" of bisexual/pansexual/nonmonosexual people. I don't think it's totally needed in a book this basic and this young, but as a bi person, the absolute ideal book would talk about that.

Note that this is a gender, sexuality, and families book, not a "where does a baby come from" book, or puberty education book, and not a "how does sex work" book. It addresses questions and interests of young children who want to know more about gender, identities, sexualities and orientations, family makeups, etc. and would be GREAT to bring into a kindergarten or first grade class to combat the inevitable questions from some kids about "why are you doing ____, boys can't do that, my mommy said only a man and a woman can," etc. that come up.

STILL. A NEARLY PERFECT BOOK. Buy it, recommend it, read it, gift it, display it, all of the above. It's great.

[Suzi La · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Be You, written by Jonathan Branfman and illustrated by Julie Benbassat, was published in 2019 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers and is a work of non-fiction aimed at the elementary school level, but could be read by parents to a younger level. Titlewave rates the reading level at 4.9 but the illustrations and definitions make it friendly for lower grades; and the subject matter would interest older readers as well.

Branfman explains and differentiates terms around sexes, genders and gender identities while tackling misconceptions and stereotypes. Later chapters discuss love and attraction and families, before introducing discrimination, privilege, intersectionality and how to be an ally. Branfman affirms all identities; and even while challenging stereotypes, keeps the tone non-confrontational and reassuring. Benbassat's illustrations are similarly inclusive showing all genders, varied families, races and other identities.

You Be You was reviewed by Publisher's Weekly and The School Library Journal. You Be You can be used by parents, communities and teachers to discuss gender, sexuality and families; as well as to introduce topics or further discussions around discrimination, intersectionality, privilege and what is means to be ally. Readers of any age who are seeking answers independently will find this title accessible and thought provoking. This title would make an excellent addition to curriculum, as well as school, classroom or home libraries.

[Saturniidead ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warnings are listed at the end of my review!

2.5 You Be You! is a picture book broaching the topics of sex, gender, sexuality, attraction, families, discrimination, privilege, advocacy, and more with simple age appropriate illustrations. I'm on the fence about it, as you can tell from the added .5, it has some great definitions and explanations of topics that I just haven't seen this well done in children's books yet, but I don't think it's perfect. I've noticed it's a recurring issue here with children's nonfiction, when describing the complex topic of queer identity and experiences, it gets jumbled quickly, but I think this attempt is one of the ones that lands closer to succeeding. I credit that success in the effort put into the fundamentals that other books gloss over, rendering their more advanced knowledge it builds off of it incomplete. You Be You! having a strong foundation helps, but the knowledge built onto it still lacks in its execution.

It is broken up into many small chapters, gradually building on one another- starting off by demonstrating the cisheteronormative marriage and family model, showing a straight and cisgender couple who gets married and has children, then stating not everyone fits it and that is called diversity. From there it does something so far other similar books haven't done, defined sex and sex categories with clear but minimalistic depictions and anatomical language. This helps to understand the male, female, and intersex definitions, build on understanding gender in relation to sex when defining transgender, and is also an important part of safety to have this language, especially in the unfortunate circumstances of childhood trauma (plus reviews like this show how instilling stigma about talking about your body can hinder important education). From there, it already becomes wobbly, defining gender as the definition of gender stereotypes, then the next chapter actually talking about gender under the title gender identity, getting a couple of the classic (said with a grimace) mirror images.

It's just odd because in some cases it clearly demonstrates understanding in plenty of areas, then I believe it succumbs to oversimplification that randomly attacks aspects of the book. It handles its trans overview well, even including that medical transition isn't always wanted or accessible, but after introducing nonbinary, it adds other gender terms under the umbrella but without any definitions. Aromanticism and asexuality are included when discussing attraction, but it then loops them together implying that they are the same, then clarifies that asexuality can include experiencing romantic attraction but inaccurately concludes they "don't feel interested in physical actions like kissing." Diverse relationship structures and attractions are shown, but it only every directly acknowledges monogamy, the illustrations depicting bisexual attraction can be interpreted as polyamorous representation, but the text never acknowledges it. Different kinds of discrimination and how they are hurtful are covered, but it loops in all queer sexuality under the term homophobia, then goes on to specify biphobia but not lesbophobia or aphobia, other terms it homogenized under homophobia. When describing how intersectionality works it states how one can experience privilege and discrimination simultaneously, but says "person with autism" and "with deafness" rather than preferred diagnosis first language (autistic person, Deaf person), then describes a trans woman experiencing sexism and transphobia rather than transmisogyny (yeah, it's a 101 but it already presents sexism and transphobia, might as well add them together especially when it's in an intersectionality chapter). Finally, it presents steps on allyship but reductively and unrealistically states "well, first, make sure you never say or do anything mean to anybody or about anybody, just because they're different from you in some way."

I'm trying to convey this as much as my criticisms allow, but this book I can tell has good intentions, cares about education on the topic, and understands some crucial nuances, but keeps dropping the ball after doing so well. I really hope the author sees this and re-releases an updated edition sometime because I think with guided revisions, this could be an absolute essential read for so many people. I want to see this book break away from these flaws holding it back and fully reach its potential because it has the foundation to be great, it just needs polished a bit more. That's why I still like this book, at its core, I know it cares.

Summary:
Readability: The small chapters, slow pacing, clear definitions, one step at a time approach makes it on target for the picture book 101 audience. This is what makes it stand out so much compared to similar books like The Gender Wheel and Being You, it is easy to follow, it makes sense, and helps build foundations to learn more complex information. It falls short with details and conveying it properly at points, but there's at least an apparent effort here.

Entertainment: The art alone is nearly a perfect score. It fits the book so well, and accompanies and accents the text amazingly, displaying such a diverse and alive cast to represent those the book discusses. It was really charming to look at!

Audience: I think its a good start, but definitely in its current state is just a start, so having it in your collection, providing other supplementary books, having an open and inclusive environment, and even reading it with a young reader could help. It will help open discussion on a lot of personal and complex topics, so despite its pitfalls I still think it's worthwhile. I recommend if you have a young person in your life!

Content Warnings: abelism, aphobia, biphobia, classism, bullying, hate crimes, homophobia, legal discrimination, misogyny, nudity, police, racism, sexism, transmisogyny, transphobia

[Tammy Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Before requesting this book, I read the reviews thinking ok, this is going to be something good for kids. Boy! I was wrong. Ok, seeing the age for this book is what gets me, 5-10. No, this book should NOT be something a 5-8-year-old needs to be reading or shown pictures of. I truly don't think there needs to be a graphic image of a man and woman in the nude. Yes, I understand that it's talking about the ding ling for a man and a vajayjay for a woman, no child that young needs to know that stuff. I do like the fact that it does have the support of those who grow to love the same gender and that it does support those who felt as if they were born in the wrong body and that it's good to support those people and love them no matter what.

It's good for them to learn these things but I just felt that the graphic images are something that doesn't need to be shown in that kind of way. It's not child-friendly and that's going to lead to a LOT more questions that they shouldn't be asking at a young age. It's not something that I would be able to show my three 5-year-old nephews or my own children. I don't like knocking down books but this just isn't something that I can show to them or want them to find in a library in the kid's section. Maybe that's just me and that's okay.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to the complex subjects of gender, sexuality, and relationships. I think this book would be an invaluable tool for teachers and parents alike.

Branfman explores not only the various genders and sexualities, but also looks at stereotypes and discrimination, along with privilege and being an ally. These are all important topics, however the child identifies.

The only thing I would disagree with is the intended audience. It is stated that the book is aimed at children aged 5-10 years, however I believe that some of the concepts and terminology are slightly too advanced for the younger ages. I would place this book in the range of children aged 8-12 years. Nevertheless, I think this book is still a great read for teens and adults as well, as the language is simplified rather than "babied", and includes some complex topics.

Note: I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, very easy to understand and read. Talks about topics that have to do with being yourself no matter what that might be, in words that are very simple to understand. I give this 5 stars when normally I don't give Children's books 5 stars. Mainly because the book teaches acceptance of yourself and others as well as how to be an ally to those different than us. Great life lesson in this book.



****I received this book from Netgalley on behalf of Jessica Kingsley Publishers in exchange for my honest review and feedback. The opinions herein are of my own volution and have not been swayed in any way by Netgalley or the publisher*******

[Sushie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my quest for inclusive body books for children, this one actually has some diverse representation, though it is lacking in visual representation of disability aaaand isn't much of a body book. You Be You! starts out with bodies, outlining cis gender norms, but the breakdowns of social expectations get quite wooly after the first section and many of the concepts get sort of dropped or lost as the book goes on.
The real value I see in recommending this book to kids are the sections on Discrimination and Privilege as a nonfiction primer.
The illustrations are very cute, however, and do a great job of clarifying the text.

[Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't hate this book, but I think it leaves a lot to be desired--some of this info is short-sighted, or lacking. Not the most up to date and based in a hetero-normative/heterosexist point of view.

I'm also confused as to the pacing/content overall. It doesn't focus or go very deep on body parts, or types of gender expression (stays mostly with some people think girls just like dolls and boys just like cars and that's BAD) or the more complex ways sexism shows up...but then has a section on discrimination/oppression and intersectionality?

Overall felt pretty out of touch with what a kid/family needs in any kind of reference book about development and social questions and dynamics.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book through netgalley.com.

I would say that this book is geared towards upper elementary students or a very simple explanation for teens and adults. It has some nudity in some of the earlier drawings in the book to make a point about sex and gender.

There are lots of colorful pictures throughout to add to the sense of it being a picture book while it defines some LGBTQIA+ terminology.

It uses a lot of exclamation points and basically says that everything you are is okay which is a message we need more of in this world.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its heart was in the right place, but this book was really trying to do too much. All of the topics are important and good, but to have all of them there made the book feel a bit stuffed. Like, yes- talking about the idea of privilege and discrimination is great; but it and some other topics felt a bit tacked on. And honestly, I feel like the best audience for this is not really the 5-10 yo set, but adults who need someone to break it down for them and are too embarrassed to admit it. Like, talking about chromosomes might make something click for an adult, but kids? A bit of a stretch.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad this book exists, especially this Yiddish language version geared toward Jewish children from a Hassidic upbringing where they might not otherwise have access to this information. I'd quibble with some of the ways the ideas are presented, but reductiveness seems developmentally necessary, and I think the book does far more good than harm. Was also fun to have a chance to read Yiddish in the more widely-spoken vernacular Hassidic dialect, which is harder to find than YIVO-standard dialect texts in secular contexts.

[Michelle Heins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle intro to sexuality, gender identity, and diversity

The word choice and illustrations used in this book are simple, tasteful, and just what is needed in an introductory book to these topics. As a mother of a child who is questioning their gender identity, I would love to see the author and illustrator tackle each of the topics more in depth as i feel they would handle it respectfully and in a way children could understand.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly what it purports to be - an inclusive guide for kids to the LGBTQIA+ community and the identities included within that. It is simple, but not overly simplistic, and it does a pretty good job of covering most aspects of identity. There are a few areas that are brushed over, but this is a conversation starter, and it would be great for kids. Heck, I know some adults who could use it.