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Calvin
In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time.
Calvin has always been a boy, even if the world sees him as a girl. He knows who he is in his heart and in his mind but he hasn't yet told his family. Finally, he can wait no longer: I'm not a girl, he tells his family. I'm a boy—a boy in my heart and in my brain. Quick to support him, his loving family takes Calvin shopping for the swim trunks he's always wanted and back-to-school clothes and a new haircut that helps him look and feel like the boy he's always known himself to be. As the first day of school approaches, he's nervous and the what-ifs gather up inside him. But as his friends and teachers rally around him and he tells them his name, all his what-ifs begin to melt away.
Inspired by the authors' own transgender child and accompanied by warm and triumphant illustrations, this authentic and personal text promotes kindness and empathy, offering a poignant and inclusive back-to-school message: all should feel safe, respected, and welcomed.
Calvin has always been a boy, even if the world sees him as a girl. He knows who he is in his heart and in his mind but he hasn't yet told his family. Finally, he can wait no longer: I'm not a girl, he tells his family. I'm a boy—a boy in my heart and in my brain. Quick to support him, his loving family takes Calvin shopping for the swim trunks he's always wanted and back-to-school clothes and a new haircut that helps him look and feel like the boy he's always known himself to be. As the first day of school approaches, he's nervous and the what-ifs gather up inside him. But as his friends and teachers rally around him and he tells them his name, all his what-ifs begin to melt away.
Inspired by the authors' own transgender child and accompanied by warm and triumphant illustrations, this authentic and personal text promotes kindness and empathy, offering a poignant and inclusive back-to-school message: all should feel safe, respected, and welcomed.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
December 3, 2021
It could just be this easy.
This loving and accepting.
This peaceful.
This loving and accepting.
This peaceful.
December 9, 2021
Reading this at work created an awkward moment for me as I had to restrain myself from openly weeping at my desk about a children's book.
Absolutely beautiful. This is how every parent should celebrate their trans child. If I could give this book a million stars I would.
Absolutely beautiful. This is how every parent should celebrate their trans child. If I could give this book a million stars I would.
July 28, 2022
This is a wonderful book about a child who comes out as transgender. We see the reactions of Calvin's parents, educators, and friends, and we see the positive impact on a child when people accept them for who they truly are.
April 2, 2022
Identity: Mixed race-white mother, black father
The past couple years have brought out some remarkable picture books introducing and starring transgender children. Along the lines of Sam Is My Sister and My Maddy, this book introduces the transgender experience in accessible language that speaks as an introduction to a young audience or children that are currently experiencing it themselves. Academic and medical terminology is saved for the afterword and, instead, the stories focus on an interesting plot that welcomes change, answers questions, and ends triumphantly.
As the authors note in the end, "the support Calvin receives is based on best existing practices." With nervous trepidation, he tells his parents about his true self and is welcomed with open arms by his immediate family and grandparents. The big change causes more anxiousness when Calvin has to return to school but adults and children greet him by his new name with ease and acceptance, having been told in advance so that Calvin is free to be himself without explaining the change to everyone he meets.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
The past couple years have brought out some remarkable picture books introducing and starring transgender children. Along the lines of Sam Is My Sister and My Maddy, this book introduces the transgender experience in accessible language that speaks as an introduction to a young audience or children that are currently experiencing it themselves. Academic and medical terminology is saved for the afterword and, instead, the stories focus on an interesting plot that welcomes change, answers questions, and ends triumphantly.
As the authors note in the end, "the support Calvin receives is based on best existing practices." With nervous trepidation, he tells his parents about his true self and is welcomed with open arms by his immediate family and grandparents. The big change causes more anxiousness when Calvin has to return to school but adults and children greet him by his new name with ease and acceptance, having been told in advance so that Calvin is free to be himself without explaining the change to everyone he meets.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
March 8, 2023
Illustrationerna i den här bilderboken fick tårarna att börja rinna. EXAKT såhär bör representation göras. Människorna i boken är ritade med en så kärleksfull hand och med en stor variation. Olika hudfärger, tjocka, smala, gamla, unga, med och utan rullstol, cispersoner och transpersoner.
En bok som borde finnas på alla förskolor och i alla bibliotek.
Calvin har alltid vetat att han är en pojke men han är rädd för att berätta för sin familj att han känner sig på ett annat sätt inuti än han ser ut utanpå. Calvins familj möter honom med kärlek, förståelse och praktisk stöttning. De börjar kalla honom Calvin, han får köpa nya kläder, klippa sig och när han börjar i skolan efter lovet vet alla klasskompisar och lärare om att Calvin heter Calvin och är en pojke. De har bytt till rätt namn på bänken och namnbrickan, ja överallt!
En bok som borde finnas på alla förskolor och i alla bibliotek.
Calvin har alltid vetat att han är en pojke men han är rädd för att berätta för sin familj att han känner sig på ett annat sätt inuti än han ser ut utanpå. Calvins familj möter honom med kärlek, förståelse och praktisk stöttning. De börjar kalla honom Calvin, han får köpa nya kläder, klippa sig och när han börjar i skolan efter lovet vet alla klasskompisar och lärare om att Calvin heter Calvin och är en pojke. De har bytt till rätt namn på bänken och namnbrickan, ja överallt!
January 22, 2025
It's fine. I'm fine. I swear.
Books like this. Stories like this. They are just balm for the soul.
Of course not every child will have the same support. But good god, it just feels so nice to see families supporting their kid on their journey, to see friends and overall people in the kids circle to be accepting.
Beautiful book.
Books like this. Stories like this. They are just balm for the soul.
Of course not every child will have the same support. But good god, it just feels so nice to see families supporting their kid on their journey, to see friends and overall people in the kids circle to be accepting.
Beautiful book.
July 2, 2022
I cried. Full-on sobbed ugly-tears. In the middle of a bookstore. Then I felt obligated to buy the book. Now I have a children's picture-book in my room, even though I literally don't know a single person who this would be age-appropriate for.
March 23, 2023
It is March 23, 2023 and I have re-read this book in honor of #TransRightsReadathon week launched by author Sim Kern.
While I myself am not on TikTok I heard about this awareness campaign from my daughter and several friends.
I had appreciated the book “Calvin” so much in my first and subsequent readings as it humanizes and gives the basics for children and parents of welcoming transgender without negativity or fear.
The authors of Calvin have lived the experience as well as researched their approach to the subject for a children’s book. When you have so few words, as in this picture book, each word and phrase must be crafted, honed and ring with truth.
My best recommendation, beyond a stellar rating, is putting my money down on the counter to have purchased many copies of this title from my local book store for gifting.
As TikTok readers commit to read trans authors and transgender related books it gives voice:
I applaud the power of reading books conspicuously, in public, commenting in public forums (like GoodReads), suggesting books in book groups and buying books!
It seemed like a trite saying, but I realize reading really is a superpower.
While I myself am not on TikTok I heard about this awareness campaign from my daughter and several friends.
I had appreciated the book “Calvin” so much in my first and subsequent readings as it humanizes and gives the basics for children and parents of welcoming transgender without negativity or fear.
The authors of Calvin have lived the experience as well as researched their approach to the subject for a children’s book. When you have so few words, as in this picture book, each word and phrase must be crafted, honed and ring with truth.
My best recommendation, beyond a stellar rating, is putting my money down on the counter to have purchased many copies of this title from my local book store for gifting.
As TikTok readers commit to read trans authors and transgender related books it gives voice:
I applaud the power of reading books conspicuously, in public, commenting in public forums (like GoodReads), suggesting books in book groups and buying books!
It seemed like a trite saying, but I realize reading really is a superpower.
February 7, 2022
Like a warm hug for any trans person who needs to soothe their inner child.
June 26, 2025
c’est un bon livre mais très prévisible… mais j’ai fière que j’ai lu ce livre en français par moi-même!
June 1, 2022
I‘ve read the German version called „Florian“. It‘s supercute and so wholesome. I cried some tears of joy when I read about this trans child getting full support by family, friends and school.
June 5, 2022
So wholesome so pure. Fantastic cover. Sweet fam and kiddo and school. A simple kind model. Wish it was like this..
April 25, 2025
Breathe in. Breathe out. 5-4-3-2-1…
Calvin by J.R. Ford & Vanessa Ford is a story about – you guessed it – Calvin, but what makes Calvin so special is that he wasn’t “born” Calvin. You see, he’s always felt like Calvin inside. He always knew himself to be a little boy. However, he was born female and wore “female-directed” clothing until recently. He was scared to come out to his parents at first, but they were incredibly supportive, informing him that they would love him regardless of what gender he was & that they’d always will. They then shared the news with family members, friends of Calvin’s, and his school, but not before Calvin chose his name – named after his stuffed lion, or rather, his stuffed lion was named after him (he always felt he was a Calvin and named his stuffie his name as a placeholder until he was ready to come out). Calvin eventually gets a new wardrobe and hairstyle, and gets to re-introduce himself to his friends as he returns to school for the first day of a new grade. The story concludes as he proudly sees his name displayed all over his classroom, spelling out his name with pride to his classmates, and gets to play with his friends once more on the playground but this time, as him – as he was truly meant to be.
The major themes in the book include: (gender) identity and self-awareness/acceptance, support, bravery/courage, and representation/inclusivity.
I am categorizing this book as a biography for its genre.
Children reading this book can learn that it’s more than okay to be different, as long as you are staying true to you. They can also learn that bravery and courage come in many different forms – it’s not just slaying a dragon or standing up to the school bully. Lastly, they can learn that support can go a long way, so it’s important to rely on trusted individuals and loved ones to help aid you on your journey.
This book was a WOW book for me because this may have been my first children’s book tackling the topic of transgender children. I absolutely love it. They went about it in such a personal yet engaging way and I LOVE the bright, bold, colorful, youthful illustrations that uplifted the storytelling.
Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were repetition and symbolism. Repetition is used throughout the story with the examples of “Breathe in. Breathe out. 5-4-3-2-1,” and “What if? What if? What if?” There’s also symbolism used in that with the cutting of his hair into a more male-aligned hairstyle, he is shedding the last of his former identity as a girl. I feel the symbolism elevated the story because it provided another element to Calvin transitioning. I, a cis heterosexual female can change my wardrobe and cut my hair as I will still identify myself the same way as I did before, but it doesn't provide the same significance and meaning as it does to Calvin, so that symbolism catapults that moment from "one-dimensional" to "two." The repetition also puts me in a child-like trance because children often repeat themselves and require repeition because it's necessary for their brain development. I, myself, appreciate repetition as I have ADHD so my attention-span is fleeting and all over the place (like a child, actually).
I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it is all about acceptance, self-love, inclusion, identity, respect, and equity. It challenges stereotypes and gender norms, with the focus on spreading awareness and encouraging discussion.
Calvin by J.R. Ford & Vanessa Ford is a story about – you guessed it – Calvin, but what makes Calvin so special is that he wasn’t “born” Calvin. You see, he’s always felt like Calvin inside. He always knew himself to be a little boy. However, he was born female and wore “female-directed” clothing until recently. He was scared to come out to his parents at first, but they were incredibly supportive, informing him that they would love him regardless of what gender he was & that they’d always will. They then shared the news with family members, friends of Calvin’s, and his school, but not before Calvin chose his name – named after his stuffed lion, or rather, his stuffed lion was named after him (he always felt he was a Calvin and named his stuffie his name as a placeholder until he was ready to come out). Calvin eventually gets a new wardrobe and hairstyle, and gets to re-introduce himself to his friends as he returns to school for the first day of a new grade. The story concludes as he proudly sees his name displayed all over his classroom, spelling out his name with pride to his classmates, and gets to play with his friends once more on the playground but this time, as him – as he was truly meant to be.
The major themes in the book include: (gender) identity and self-awareness/acceptance, support, bravery/courage, and representation/inclusivity.
I am categorizing this book as a biography for its genre.
Children reading this book can learn that it’s more than okay to be different, as long as you are staying true to you. They can also learn that bravery and courage come in many different forms – it’s not just slaying a dragon or standing up to the school bully. Lastly, they can learn that support can go a long way, so it’s important to rely on trusted individuals and loved ones to help aid you on your journey.
This book was a WOW book for me because this may have been my first children’s book tackling the topic of transgender children. I absolutely love it. They went about it in such a personal yet engaging way and I LOVE the bright, bold, colorful, youthful illustrations that uplifted the storytelling.
Two of the literary devices the author used in writing this book were repetition and symbolism. Repetition is used throughout the story with the examples of “Breathe in. Breathe out. 5-4-3-2-1,” and “What if? What if? What if?” There’s also symbolism used in that with the cutting of his hair into a more male-aligned hairstyle, he is shedding the last of his former identity as a girl. I feel the symbolism elevated the story because it provided another element to Calvin transitioning. I, a cis heterosexual female can change my wardrobe and cut my hair as I will still identify myself the same way as I did before, but it doesn't provide the same significance and meaning as it does to Calvin, so that symbolism catapults that moment from "one-dimensional" to "two." The repetition also puts me in a child-like trance because children often repeat themselves and require repeition because it's necessary for their brain development. I, myself, appreciate repetition as I have ADHD so my attention-span is fleeting and all over the place (like a child, actually).
I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because it is all about acceptance, self-love, inclusion, identity, respect, and equity. It challenges stereotypes and gender norms, with the focus on spreading awareness and encouraging discussion.
Read
December 26, 2021I don't have any particular critiques of this book, and I appreciate more representation of Black and brown trans boys (this is also a mixed-race family, with a Black father and a white mother -- matching the authors, I realized when I looked at in the inside back cover flap), but I also feel like there's not much to this book.
We open with, "For as long as I could remember, I knew I was a boy." Our child protagonist tells us that he would draw and imagine himself with hair and clothes like his father and brother, and we then quickly move to him deciding it's time to tell his family. I'm fine with the book just taking for granted that Calvin's self-identity is legitimate, rather than taking time (as other books understandably do) to note that girls can enjoy activities, clothes, and hairstyles associated with boys.
Calvin's dad does say, "We love you if you are a girl, boy, neither, or both," and teaches Calvin the word "transgender" (with a definition I don't love, since it seems to imply that being trans means people will always get your gender wrong -- "Being transgender means other people think you are one gender, but inside, you know you are a different one" -- but I understand what it's trying to get at).
Everyone is very supportive, which is nice, albeit somewhat unrealistic. They are about to go on a family trip when Calvin discloses, and his dad tells his relatives (who I think are the father's parents) his new name, and they're fully accepting. When school starts up again in the fall, Calvin's new name is on all the appropriate spots in his classroom -- and his dad has told at least one of his friends (I assume the scene with her is intended to be a stand-in for all his friends, though it's a little bit weird that Calvin's dad didn't tell Calvin he had done that) as well as the principal.
[Edit: We don't actually learn Calvin's new name in the text until the very last page -- which I hadn't realized until I read the book to my partner (who wondered, in the first classroom scene, whether our protagonist's name was "Calvin" or "Alex" -- in fairness to the book, "Calvin" is the only name that shows up in every place we see namecards, but my partner understandably most noticed the cluster of desks that is somewhat visually centered) both because I was primed by the title etc., and because the book is fairly artful in its avoidance. Because I felt like I already knew our protagonist's chosen name, the dramatic reveal at the end was a bit lost on me.]
Calvin's worry recurs a few times throughout the book, along with his father's advice to "take a deep breath and count down from 5," which is some nice modeling for the child-reader.
There's also casual diversity in the book throughout the book. The family they're visiting is Black; and when Calvin gets to meet his favorite superhero (also Black) at a comic convention, the background crowd includes fat people, other Black people, someone I read as an East Asian woman, and someone I read as a hijabi (though that may have been unintentional with her costume). The principal and the one friend Calvin has a conversation with are both coded as East Asian, Calvin's classroom teachers are a Black man (with long dreadlocks) and a brown woman, and the student body is very diverse (including one child with vitiligo and a wheelchair user -- who are both somewhat highlighted in the closing playground image, holding the jump rope while Calvin and Violet jump -- as well as some fat kids).
The Authors' Note indicates that the authors have a transgender daughter, so I thought it was interesting to make the protagonist of this book a transgender boy. Maybe they didn't want people reading it too autobiographically? (They do note that, in writing this book, they've drawn on the experience of "countless trans kids thriving when they're supported by the adults in their lives.")
They don't say anything specific about why they chose to write this book, just, "We know that talking about these topics with children can be tricky, especially if you're learning about them for the first time. That's why we we wrote this book."
We open with, "For as long as I could remember, I knew I was a boy." Our child protagonist tells us that he would draw and imagine himself with hair and clothes like his father and brother, and we then quickly move to him deciding it's time to tell his family. I'm fine with the book just taking for granted that Calvin's self-identity is legitimate, rather than taking time (as other books understandably do) to note that girls can enjoy activities, clothes, and hairstyles associated with boys.
Calvin's dad does say, "We love you if you are a girl, boy, neither, or both," and teaches Calvin the word "transgender" (with a definition I don't love, since it seems to imply that being trans means people will always get your gender wrong -- "Being transgender means other people think you are one gender, but inside, you know you are a different one" -- but I understand what it's trying to get at).
Everyone is very supportive, which is nice, albeit somewhat unrealistic. They are about to go on a family trip when Calvin discloses, and his dad tells his relatives (who I think are the father's parents) his new name, and they're fully accepting. When school starts up again in the fall, Calvin's new name is on all the appropriate spots in his classroom -- and his dad has told at least one of his friends (I assume the scene with her is intended to be a stand-in for all his friends, though it's a little bit weird that Calvin's dad didn't tell Calvin he had done that) as well as the principal.
[Edit: We don't actually learn Calvin's new name in the text until the very last page -- which I hadn't realized until I read the book to my partner (who wondered, in the first classroom scene, whether our protagonist's name was "Calvin" or "Alex" -- in fairness to the book, "Calvin" is the only name that shows up in every place we see namecards, but my partner understandably most noticed the cluster of desks that is somewhat visually centered) both because I was primed by the title etc., and because the book is fairly artful in its avoidance. Because I felt like I already knew our protagonist's chosen name, the dramatic reveal at the end was a bit lost on me.]
Calvin's worry recurs a few times throughout the book, along with his father's advice to "take a deep breath and count down from 5," which is some nice modeling for the child-reader.
There's also casual diversity in the book throughout the book. The family they're visiting is Black; and when Calvin gets to meet his favorite superhero (also Black) at a comic convention, the background crowd includes fat people, other Black people, someone I read as an East Asian woman, and someone I read as a hijabi (though that may have been unintentional with her costume). The principal and the one friend Calvin has a conversation with are both coded as East Asian, Calvin's classroom teachers are a Black man (with long dreadlocks) and a brown woman, and the student body is very diverse (including one child with vitiligo and a wheelchair user -- who are both somewhat highlighted in the closing playground image, holding the jump rope while Calvin and Violet jump -- as well as some fat kids).
The Authors' Note indicates that the authors have a transgender daughter, so I thought it was interesting to make the protagonist of this book a transgender boy. Maybe they didn't want people reading it too autobiographically? (They do note that, in writing this book, they've drawn on the experience of "countless trans kids thriving when they're supported by the adults in their lives.")
They don't say anything specific about why they chose to write this book, just, "We know that talking about these topics with children can be tricky, especially if you're learning about them for the first time. That's why we we wrote this book."
February 19, 2023
Text-to-World Connection
This book is excellent for use in elementary school classrooms for discussing gender identity, transgender people, and cisgender people. The best part of this novel is the acceptance Calvin finds after telling everyone who he truly is, both at home and at school. The depiction of a mixed-race family in this book is another appealing feature. We appreciate the writers for producing this book! Readers should be aware that Calvin is a courageous picture book written by LGBTQ+ activists JR and Vanessa Ford, a husband-and-wife duo. The narrative of their transgender son served as inspiration for the book, which follows young Calvin as he first reveals himself to his family and friends as a boy. The book discusses many facets of transitioning for a young child and outlines what it means to be transgender. The characters are extremely diverse in terms of gender, color, religion, and physical characteristics. The book's themes include acceptance, self-love, standing up for what you need, and friendship. This book has a text-to-world connection as we as human people need to learn acceptance. Being able to accept people for ho they are and not treat anyone different is the key. With many thing goin on in this world this book shows how the world is so divided, and people choose to accept what they want to accept but all in all everyone should be accepted no matter how someone is described to be.
This book is excellent for use in elementary school classrooms for discussing gender identity, transgender people, and cisgender people. The best part of this novel is the acceptance Calvin finds after telling everyone who he truly is, both at home and at school. The depiction of a mixed-race family in this book is another appealing feature. We appreciate the writers for producing this book! Readers should be aware that Calvin is a courageous picture book written by LGBTQ+ activists JR and Vanessa Ford, a husband-and-wife duo. The narrative of their transgender son served as inspiration for the book, which follows young Calvin as he first reveals himself to his family and friends as a boy. The book discusses many facets of transitioning for a young child and outlines what it means to be transgender. The characters are extremely diverse in terms of gender, color, religion, and physical characteristics. The book's themes include acceptance, self-love, standing up for what you need, and friendship. This book has a text-to-world connection as we as human people need to learn acceptance. Being able to accept people for ho they are and not treat anyone different is the key. With many thing goin on in this world this book shows how the world is so divided, and people choose to accept what they want to accept but all in all everyone should be accepted no matter how someone is described to be.
January 12, 2025
I have taken to reading books that are being challenged in my state. This book was recently challenged when read by a fifth grade teacher to her class, as brought by a concerned parent at a school committee meeting.
The book is the story of a little boy who is transgender and his coming out to his family, changing his name, and anticipating beginning again at school as himself for the first time. He is greeted throughout by kindness, care, and support from the adults and kids in his life, greeted by his chosen name on his cubby and desk. This book and its authors provide beautiful acceptance and support for this child’s well-being, holding that transgender and gender non-conforming kids are at greater risk for violence, suicide, and mental health issues. They offer an author’s note with resources and data, and the illustrations are heartwarming and gorgeous. We can do so much good when we listen to children and support them in following their own path.
The book is the story of a little boy who is transgender and his coming out to his family, changing his name, and anticipating beginning again at school as himself for the first time. He is greeted throughout by kindness, care, and support from the adults and kids in his life, greeted by his chosen name on his cubby and desk. This book and its authors provide beautiful acceptance and support for this child’s well-being, holding that transgender and gender non-conforming kids are at greater risk for violence, suicide, and mental health issues. They offer an author’s note with resources and data, and the illustrations are heartwarming and gorgeous. We can do so much good when we listen to children and support them in following their own path.
March 8, 2023
Illustrationerna i den här bilderboken fick tårarna att börja rinna. EXAKT såhär bör representation göras. Människorna i boken är ritade med en så kärleksfull hand och med en stor variation. Olika hudfärger, tjocka, smala, gamla, unga, med och utan rullstol, cispersoner och transpersoner.
En bok som borde finnas på alla förskolor och i alla bibliotek.
Calvin har alltid vetat att han är en pojke men han är rädd för att berätta för sin familj att han känner sig på ett annat sätt inuti än han ser ut utanpå. Calvins familj möter honom med kärlek, förståelse och praktisk stöttning. De börjar kalla honom Calvin, han får köpa nya kläder, klippa sig och när han börjar i skolan efter lovet vet alla klasskompisar och lärare om att Calvin heter Calvin och är en pojke. De har bytt till rätt namn på bänken och namnbrickan, ja överallt!
En bok som borde finnas på alla förskolor och i alla bibliotek.
Calvin har alltid vetat att han är en pojke men han är rädd för att berätta för sin familj att han känner sig på ett annat sätt inuti än han ser ut utanpå. Calvins familj möter honom med kärlek, förståelse och praktisk stöttning. De börjar kalla honom Calvin, han får köpa nya kläder, klippa sig och när han börjar i skolan efter lovet vet alla klasskompisar och lärare om att Calvin heter Calvin och är en pojke. De har bytt till rätt namn på bänken och namnbrickan, ja överallt!
March 26, 2026
Chills. This is a really beautiful book about how the struggles trans people face are much more about social support than anything innate about their identity and sense of self. Coming out takes courage, but living opens as trans, even at a young age, can easily be a euphoric, affirming, exciting experience based on the decisions others make and the reactions they have.
Read
February 16, 2023Text-To-World Connection:
This book is a beautiful reminder of knowing who you are, and what you want people to see who you are. I think for the young boy Calvin to know who they are at such a young age is very powerful. I know it is not "conventional." in some people's eyes for a young child to understand that heavy of a topic. But to see the beautiful and understanding relationship between Calvin and his family truly made me believe in the hope that the young kids of this generation today now can be surrounded by that environment. I really appreciated the fact that this story is a connection to someone else's family in the world. The bravery and boldness of Calvin to be open and honest to himself and others is an amazing reflection to so many young people today. I definitely am adding this book to my collection.
This book is a beautiful reminder of knowing who you are, and what you want people to see who you are. I think for the young boy Calvin to know who they are at such a young age is very powerful. I know it is not "conventional." in some people's eyes for a young child to understand that heavy of a topic. But to see the beautiful and understanding relationship between Calvin and his family truly made me believe in the hope that the young kids of this generation today now can be surrounded by that environment. I really appreciated the fact that this story is a connection to someone else's family in the world. The bravery and boldness of Calvin to be open and honest to himself and others is an amazing reflection to so many young people today. I definitely am adding this book to my collection.
June 6, 2022
Was a really good great message and story 💖LGBTQ Community
October 15, 2023
Really joyful, I wish it could be like this for everyone.
June 3, 2024
Calvin by JR Ford is an award-winning LGBTQ+ story for a reason. This story is about a character named Calvin. Calvin has always viewed himself as a boy, but others view him as a girl. Calvin's family fully and beautifully support him when he says "I'm a boy!". Nervous to go back to school, Calvin gets ready with a new haircut and outfits that more appropriately fit Calvin's newly embraced side of himself. His insecurities slowly fade away when he's welcomed and supported by his teachers and peers.
This story teaches embracing others, respect, confidence in oneself, and promotes kindness and empathy. I think all of these lessons could be shared with students in the classroom setting for 1st- 8th grade. I see this story being a good addition to an SEL unit to teach those themes. Students could connect it to a nonfiction article or another story to find connected themes across the texts or have a whole class discussion about the positive ways Calvin was welcomed and supported in the school environment.
I found this book on the Lambda Literary award website: https://lambdaliterary.org/awards/202... and checked it out from my local library.
This story teaches embracing others, respect, confidence in oneself, and promotes kindness and empathy. I think all of these lessons could be shared with students in the classroom setting for 1st- 8th grade. I see this story being a good addition to an SEL unit to teach those themes. Students could connect it to a nonfiction article or another story to find connected themes across the texts or have a whole class discussion about the positive ways Calvin was welcomed and supported in the school environment.
I found this book on the Lambda Literary award website: https://lambdaliterary.org/awards/202... and checked it out from my local library.
November 11, 2021
A wonderful children’s book, and important for both children and adults to read as we learn to be more inclusive and kinder towards each other. Essential
November 10, 2022
I accessed Calvin on youtube and was able to watch a discussion panel on the book with Parents from the Transgender Equality Council and the authors of the book. Calvin is written by JR and Vanessa Ford and is inspired by this couples own transgender child. It has beautiful illustrations by Kayla Harren. It is sweet story written in the perspective of a young child who was born female but comes out to his family on being and feeling like a boy. Calvin goes through a physical transformation by shopping for new outfits and cutting his hair with the support of his family. Calvin is nervous and fearful to return to school after summer now that he is Calvin. His fears melt away when he finds that his name "Calvin" all over his classroom, and when he realizes that his school community is also accepting of him. It ends with all the children playing at recess. This book reinforces positive interactions and experiences for transgender children. It was evident that the family worked with the school community to ensure their child was supported. Calvin felt welcomed and seen by the simple validation of using his new name "Calvin." The fact that this family is biracial brought about a whole other dimension to the story. This book provides relatability for children of color who find themselves in similar situations, while experiencing their unique journey. I did wonder how old Calvin is, but hearing the parents share how they wish they had books like this for their transgender kids brought to light the reality of these situations no matter what at what age. Books like these are needed to share who they are and to continue show the humanity of these children and the support and love they have. Here is the link if you are interested in watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIyf_...
May 24, 2021
GREAT pick for PreK - 3rd classrooms!
Want to Read
May 21, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
November 18, 2021
“For as long as I can remember, I knew I was a boy.” – the first person narration in this picture book is clear and direct. It tells how Calvin informs his family that he is not a girl, as they thought. He takes the summer to become his true self. He names himself ‘Calvin,’ starts to dress as a boy, and gets a boy’s haircut. He also learns what the word ‘transgender’ means. When he gets to school in the fall – it looks likes second or third grade – he is thrilled to see his new name on his cubby. What’s different about this narrative from others I have read, is that everyone – family, including the grands, friends and teachers and classmates – all support his transition.
Calvin is a self aware and brave kid, and lucky to have a family who lets him teach them what he needs. I love the supportiveness and positivity. The authors have a transgender child and wanted to write it for her. The lovely fine-lined digital art warmly portrays Calvin’s mixed race family and diverse circle of friends. I would use this as a model of how I would want the world to react to my child if they went through a transition.
My hesitation: It does seem a little bit pie-in-the-sky to think that no one in Calvin’s milieu had any questions or hesitations about his transition. I would have appreciated reading his explanation to a non-family member.
Calvin is a self aware and brave kid, and lucky to have a family who lets him teach them what he needs. I love the supportiveness and positivity. The authors have a transgender child and wanted to write it for her. The lovely fine-lined digital art warmly portrays Calvin’s mixed race family and diverse circle of friends. I would use this as a model of how I would want the world to react to my child if they went through a transition.
My hesitation: It does seem a little bit pie-in-the-sky to think that no one in Calvin’s milieu had any questions or hesitations about his transition. I would have appreciated reading his explanation to a non-family member.
January 20, 2023
Another book I chose for #20booksbyblackfolx. We stock this one at work and given the current climate around trans kids (and that I want to read more children's literature), now felt like a good time.
Picture book inspired by the Fords' experiences parenting a trans child. Calvin comes to his parents over the summer prior to a big trip and lets them know he's a boy "in his heart and in his brain." Over the course of the summer, his parents and grandparents help him socially transition, and when Calvin returns for the new school year, everything is all set for him to make his debut.
The Fords end on an authors' note with resources for people to learn more about supporting trans kids, and I appreciated their strong focus on showing that supporting a child's chosen name and gender expression greatly helps the mental health of trans and nonbinary youth. Their aim was both to educate parents as well as introduce child readers to the concept of trans kids, and the text was simple and the illustrations beautiful and engaging. I especially liked the strong focus on the grandparent characters being supportive of the transition.
Picture book inspired by the Fords' experiences parenting a trans child. Calvin comes to his parents over the summer prior to a big trip and lets them know he's a boy "in his heart and in his brain." Over the course of the summer, his parents and grandparents help him socially transition, and when Calvin returns for the new school year, everything is all set for him to make his debut.
The Fords end on an authors' note with resources for people to learn more about supporting trans kids, and I appreciated their strong focus on showing that supporting a child's chosen name and gender expression greatly helps the mental health of trans and nonbinary youth. Their aim was both to educate parents as well as introduce child readers to the concept of trans kids, and the text was simple and the illustrations beautiful and engaging. I especially liked the strong focus on the grandparent characters being supportive of the transition.
January 25, 2022
A beautiful book about accepting people for who they really are. Calvin is afraid to tell his family that he is a boy, that he has always known that. He was afraid they wouldn't believe him. But when he shares, "I'm a boy-a boy in my heart and in my brain." he only finds love and assurance from his family. But what about school? Will his teacher and his friends call him by his REAL name...Calvin? I wish every transgender child could experience the acceptance that Calvin finds as he begins to live his authentic life.
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March 28, 2026First day of school, meeting your partners’ parents, going on stage, telling someone how you feel, explaining who you are. Nerves are a natural feeling that we all experience in life, from the little feelings to the big defining jumps in our lives. Sometimes we are reassured that “you don’t have to be nervous,” or we are told that “it’s okay to be nervous,” Nerves are not black or white, but more depending on the situation or environment that supports those feelings it becomes this natural middle ground of someone’s honest feelings.
I took the time to read the children’s book Calvin by JR & Vanessa Ford and illustrated by Kayla Harren, for a college book review assignment that required me to post a public review of the book. It is a social justice in children’s literature course so I just looked at different social justice books that connected to things I am not as familiar with, and I chose this book originally as a look into a story of transgender youth becoming their true self. I am queer but as a cis white male someone of my background might benefit compared to others in the LGBTQ+ community due to intersectionality of gender and race, so it’s always good to understand other parts of my shared community by seeing the different perspectives like this story about Calvin.
The story follows the summer of a young kid named Calvin, who has to face his nerves and come out to his parents as his true identity as a boy. The story showcases how Calvin is able to calm himself down when he gets nervous when his Dad tells him “Take deep breaths and count to five” (Ford _), the book Calvin’s life, and the adjustment the family around Calvin has done to show support to him. The book shows this change in the natural way Calvin’s parents, grandparents, friends and the regular day people around him support him. From shopping for new clothes, educating Calvin on what being transgender is, and allowing Calvin to develop his own identity at a young age, thanks to the support surrounding him, is beautiful to see. This journey is done in a way that feels natural and the growth and honest feelings Calvin goes through is shown through how he navigates his feelings and nerves, but also shows a story of a supportive family.
JR & Vanessa Ford’s book is written and inspired about their experience as parents of a transgender child and the lack of resources they had to understand how to fully support your child through this journey of exploring and understanding their true self. I appreciate that this book is breaking the mold of stories of transgender youth that usually feature the child getting bullied, so seeing the perspective of someone that is supporting their child is a refreshing change of pace, and allows others who need to understand this journey a positive example.
As a future educator I would love to introduce this book to students (around ages 6 and 7 years old) and even adults so they can get a better understanding of the transgender experience, but it’s also a great tool as a book to introduce students about how to overcome fears, how that looks for others and the different journeys everyone goes on. With strong language, a sweet short story and showing a different experience, this book is perfect for kids in an early primary age range so they can learn to show empathy and even see themselves in this book. I always look at the Six Elements of Social Justice since I have been introduced to it and this book is a great way to impact students on Elements 1: Self Love and Knowledge and 2: Respect for Others as both aspects help students feel more empowered about themselves and show respect and care for others (like LGBTQ+ youth). Educating people from different identity backgrounds and giving students the confidence to speak about themselves is the kind of energy that we need in the future of education.
I will take away from this book a new found knowledge and resource that will allow me to share with others, especially future students I work with as a hopeful educator. Children like Calvin deserve to be their true selves and this beautiful and diverse book is a great look into the right away for outside perspectives to understand. Stress is bad, but nerves are good when we have the support from the people around us
I took the time to read the children’s book Calvin by JR & Vanessa Ford and illustrated by Kayla Harren, for a college book review assignment that required me to post a public review of the book. It is a social justice in children’s literature course so I just looked at different social justice books that connected to things I am not as familiar with, and I chose this book originally as a look into a story of transgender youth becoming their true self. I am queer but as a cis white male someone of my background might benefit compared to others in the LGBTQ+ community due to intersectionality of gender and race, so it’s always good to understand other parts of my shared community by seeing the different perspectives like this story about Calvin.
The story follows the summer of a young kid named Calvin, who has to face his nerves and come out to his parents as his true identity as a boy. The story showcases how Calvin is able to calm himself down when he gets nervous when his Dad tells him “Take deep breaths and count to five” (Ford _), the book Calvin’s life, and the adjustment the family around Calvin has done to show support to him. The book shows this change in the natural way Calvin’s parents, grandparents, friends and the regular day people around him support him. From shopping for new clothes, educating Calvin on what being transgender is, and allowing Calvin to develop his own identity at a young age, thanks to the support surrounding him, is beautiful to see. This journey is done in a way that feels natural and the growth and honest feelings Calvin goes through is shown through how he navigates his feelings and nerves, but also shows a story of a supportive family.
JR & Vanessa Ford’s book is written and inspired about their experience as parents of a transgender child and the lack of resources they had to understand how to fully support your child through this journey of exploring and understanding their true self. I appreciate that this book is breaking the mold of stories of transgender youth that usually feature the child getting bullied, so seeing the perspective of someone that is supporting their child is a refreshing change of pace, and allows others who need to understand this journey a positive example.
As a future educator I would love to introduce this book to students (around ages 6 and 7 years old) and even adults so they can get a better understanding of the transgender experience, but it’s also a great tool as a book to introduce students about how to overcome fears, how that looks for others and the different journeys everyone goes on. With strong language, a sweet short story and showing a different experience, this book is perfect for kids in an early primary age range so they can learn to show empathy and even see themselves in this book. I always look at the Six Elements of Social Justice since I have been introduced to it and this book is a great way to impact students on Elements 1: Self Love and Knowledge and 2: Respect for Others as both aspects help students feel more empowered about themselves and show respect and care for others (like LGBTQ+ youth). Educating people from different identity backgrounds and giving students the confidence to speak about themselves is the kind of energy that we need in the future of education.
I will take away from this book a new found knowledge and resource that will allow me to share with others, especially future students I work with as a hopeful educator. Children like Calvin deserve to be their true selves and this beautiful and diverse book is a great look into the right away for outside perspectives to understand. Stress is bad, but nerves are good when we have the support from the people around us
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