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First Conversations
Being You: A First Conversation About Gender
Based on the research that race, gender, consent, and body positivity should be discussed with toddlers on up, this read-aloud board book series offers adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.
Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.
While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.
This second book in the series begins the conversation on gender, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.
Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.
While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.
This second book in the series begins the conversation on gender, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2021
3 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Megan Madison
10 books23 followersMegan Pamela Ruth Madison (she, her) is an early childhood educator, scholar, and activist based in New York City. She began her career working as an assistant in a Waldorf elementary school. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, Megan then went on to become a teacher in a Head Start preschool classroom. Now, as a doctoral candidate at Brandeis University, she works part-time facilitating workshops for teachers and families on race, gender and sexuality. Megan is currently working on a board book series with co-author Jessica Ralli for Rise x Penguin Workshop on race, gender, consent and body positivity. Megan recently completed a term on the governing board of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (or NAEYC) after several years serving as a co-facilitator of the association's Diversity & Equity Interest Forum. In that role, she worked to organize early childhood professionals around the country who are passionate about social justice. She is proud to hold a master’s degree in early childhood education from Dominican University. Megan lives in Harlem (unceded land of the Lenape people), where she loves reading, eating ice cream, and building community with Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (or JFREJ).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 3, 2022
I found this quite a disturbing children’s book. It is clearly written by gender theory activists determined to initiate confusion in a child’s core psychological identity on whether they can be called either a ‘girl’ or ‘boy’ based on their biological sex. “For a long time, many people have said and believed UNTRUE things like you are either a boy or a girl” and ‘End the patriarchy’ Just…so over the top. If I discovered my child’s teacher had decided to introduce this into the classroom, I think I would need to speak with the principal or school board or, like some other parents, possibly lawyers. This is a poorly developed theory that is being taught as fact.
September 10, 2021
Great content, but possibly too complex for most kids still reading board books.
I would still recommend it to parents of young, gender expansive children as a starting point or to older kids in this group who are reluctant readers.
Overall, glad it exists, but might be better in picture book format?
I would still recommend it to parents of young, gender expansive children as a starting point or to older kids in this group who are reluctant readers.
Overall, glad it exists, but might be better in picture book format?
October 21, 2021
I loved this book! (Noted I tagged as picture book but it's a board book.) Yes, there's a lot of information in here, and that's okay. While I do think the *number* of words on each page feels more conducive to a picture book, I do like that it's a board book. Kids start to notice concepts (and stereotypes) related to gender very early on, so it's important to have first conversation books that meet them where they're at. I loved this quote in the back section for adults: "Patriarchy may seem like a big word for little kids, but so is Tyrannosaurus."
Topics covered: body parts, gender assignment, gender binary, gender stereotypes, gender pronouns, gender expression and play, feminism, patriarchy, and empowerment and activism. Of course they won't understand every single thing in this book the first, third, or twentieth time you read it with them, but that's okay!
Topics covered: body parts, gender assignment, gender binary, gender stereotypes, gender pronouns, gender expression and play, feminism, patriarchy, and empowerment and activism. Of course they won't understand every single thing in this book the first, third, or twentieth time you read it with them, but that's okay!
August 26, 2021
This board (why) book might serve parents better than kids, offering questions and prompts for good conversations.
July 31, 2021
That’s a lot of information for a board book.
August 10, 2022
Content warnings are listed at the end of my review!
This book dumbfounded me. I thought maybe I had imagined the contents, somehow misconstruing something to make it feel so odd, but I reread and Being You still felt like reading like a satire of gender inclusive education for youth. I think the biggest contributors to this feeling is:
1. There is no clear audience in mind with this book and when you do find signs that could indicate an audience, your evaluation is challenged repeatedly. It’s a board book (Who decided this? Genuinely!), this would indicate the audience is 0-4, maybe even kindergarten. The full sentences, paragraphs, and large concepts presented indicate otherwise. With that in mind, you might argue it’s a book for children first grade and up, but the presentation is then rendered vague and infantilizing.
2. This book is unbearably overzealous. Its pages open up like the wings of Icarus and get immediately smoldered by the reader trying to follow what it’s putting down. For a small board book, it tries to teach about gender, sex, trans identity, intersex identity, pronouns, expression, transphobia, dysphoria, sexism, misogyny, feminism, and activism. This renders all definitions hasty, confusing, incomplete, and even just wholly undefined! It has gender in distinct bold on the title but never defines the term, I feel like I must have skimmed over it but I’ve searched multiple times now to no avail.
3. The illustrations are void of life. Sure, it’s colorful and cheery but otherwise reads as stiff, plain, and repetitive. Everything looks like copy pasted clip art, especially the characters faces.
With these elements combined, the book just feels forced, hence the satire feeling. There is no doubt this is a hard and large topic to break down, but this just isn’t a successful way to do it. The only highlights are how it engages the reader often with questions related to the text, “What do you love about your body?” & “Have you noticed any unfair rules about gender?” Additionally, there’s some good resources for parents in the back about starting conversations, sharing education, challenging stereotypes, and providing a good example. Is it the worst book I’ve ever read? No, it’s mostly inoffensive, just incredibly weak and unclear.
Summary:
Readability: ★☆☆☆☆, There’s not a single audience I think this will read well for. It is inaccessible for a board book audience, the text is in sentences and paragraphs and doesn’t clearly explain meanings with pictures or words. Older audiences will not find or be interested in this vague and childish board book. This could be reworked into a more clear picture book, a more simple and short board book, or a series of small books. As a final product, this just doesn’t work.
Entertainment: ★★☆☆☆, It’s dry. It makes me sad because what it wants to do is great but it doesn’t achieve it with much success. It reminds me of The Big Book of Pride Flags, feeling a lack of dedicated focus and intent.
Audience: Any writers looking for a do not do example. The only salvageable part is the back pages for parents talking about including children in complex conversations, it’s good, but when it’s only an anecdote it can’t save the book. It might help parents with trans kids brainstorm topics to cover, it might work to read together? Alone, it just seems incoherent.
Content Warnings: dysphoria, gender stereotypes, genitalia mentions, misogyny
This book dumbfounded me. I thought maybe I had imagined the contents, somehow misconstruing something to make it feel so odd, but I reread and Being You still felt like reading like a satire of gender inclusive education for youth. I think the biggest contributors to this feeling is:
1. There is no clear audience in mind with this book and when you do find signs that could indicate an audience, your evaluation is challenged repeatedly. It’s a board book (Who decided this? Genuinely!), this would indicate the audience is 0-4, maybe even kindergarten. The full sentences, paragraphs, and large concepts presented indicate otherwise. With that in mind, you might argue it’s a book for children first grade and up, but the presentation is then rendered vague and infantilizing.
2. This book is unbearably overzealous. Its pages open up like the wings of Icarus and get immediately smoldered by the reader trying to follow what it’s putting down. For a small board book, it tries to teach about gender, sex, trans identity, intersex identity, pronouns, expression, transphobia, dysphoria, sexism, misogyny, feminism, and activism. This renders all definitions hasty, confusing, incomplete, and even just wholly undefined! It has gender in distinct bold on the title but never defines the term, I feel like I must have skimmed over it but I’ve searched multiple times now to no avail.
3. The illustrations are void of life. Sure, it’s colorful and cheery but otherwise reads as stiff, plain, and repetitive. Everything looks like copy pasted clip art, especially the characters faces.
With these elements combined, the book just feels forced, hence the satire feeling. There is no doubt this is a hard and large topic to break down, but this just isn’t a successful way to do it. The only highlights are how it engages the reader often with questions related to the text, “What do you love about your body?” & “Have you noticed any unfair rules about gender?” Additionally, there’s some good resources for parents in the back about starting conversations, sharing education, challenging stereotypes, and providing a good example. Is it the worst book I’ve ever read? No, it’s mostly inoffensive, just incredibly weak and unclear.
Summary:
Readability: ★☆☆☆☆, There’s not a single audience I think this will read well for. It is inaccessible for a board book audience, the text is in sentences and paragraphs and doesn’t clearly explain meanings with pictures or words. Older audiences will not find or be interested in this vague and childish board book. This could be reworked into a more clear picture book, a more simple and short board book, or a series of small books. As a final product, this just doesn’t work.
Entertainment: ★★☆☆☆, It’s dry. It makes me sad because what it wants to do is great but it doesn’t achieve it with much success. It reminds me of The Big Book of Pride Flags, feeling a lack of dedicated focus and intent.
Audience: Any writers looking for a do not do example. The only salvageable part is the back pages for parents talking about including children in complex conversations, it’s good, but when it’s only an anecdote it can’t save the book. It might help parents with trans kids brainstorm topics to cover, it might work to read together? Alone, it just seems incoherent.
Content Warnings: dysphoria, gender stereotypes, genitalia mentions, misogyny
September 30, 2021
This is a nonfiction children's book that was published in 2021 and is an incredible resource for parents and teachers alike. This book braves the difficult conversation of gender in an honest and truthful way. Through the book you learn about all kinds of identities, pronouns, and ways of life. This book is definitely one I will be buying for my classroom because it is relevant to readers of all age, but it could be a great resource for teachers of younger students (K-3) because it deals with the topic of gender in very simple terms. This is a wonderful book that teaches people so much and is full of great information!
October 25, 2021
Delightful!!
December 20, 2021
There is a lot of good information in this book. However, it is A LOT of good information. This is a board book, which is typically for babies, and I'm guessing that even 4 or 5 year olds, depending on how they were raised, might not "get" all the information in this book on first reading.
That said, this is a book that I think I would come back to over and over again in ongoing conversations with kids. It talks about gender and sex in clear terms and with the correct names for body parts. It also includes questions to get kids talking about their thoughts and feelings. Really, I think this book is a great conversation opener, and then a great tool to keep the conversation going throughout the years.
That said, this is a book that I think I would come back to over and over again in ongoing conversations with kids. It talks about gender and sex in clear terms and with the correct names for body parts. It also includes questions to get kids talking about their thoughts and feelings. Really, I think this book is a great conversation opener, and then a great tool to keep the conversation going throughout the years.
September 24, 2021
This is technically a board book, but I would classify the content as that of a picture book. Great little introduction for kids to gender, pronouns, feminism, and more.
February 2, 2022
Advanced for a board book but engaging pictures and adults can make it what they want and tailor it to each child’s needs and level of understanding. Board back does encourage adults to consider this book for youngest of readers which is important, and the amount of info it contains may be good for adults who are also learning, and allow them to better present the info to children.
November 30, 2021
A great primer for little ones that are forming their identity and trying to make sense of the world. By 2, children usually understand that they are separate from their mother. I think that, as the authors say in the beginning of the book, this is a book that can start the conversation, but it is something to go back to as the child matures and hits further developmental milestones. I particularly liked the gender conformity conversation about colors to wear (pink vs. blue) and toys to play (dolls vs. trucks) with as it is perpetuated in western culture.
When I was pregnant with my first child, we painted our expected child's room in a safari animal theme. It was gender neutral. I hated being asked if I was going to have a boy or girl. I felt so grateful that we were able to conceive and that my pregnancy was a healthy one. I often answered, "I'm hoping it isn't a monkey." I was aiming for a healthy human baby and that was all I cared about. Gender is emphasized in an unhealthy way so often and it has always rubbed me wrong, especially after I met people who were told the wrong gender before birth and families who lost their babies in late pregnancy or stillbirth.
It's refreshing to see this taking form in books that can be introduced at a young age. It can help children have a more inclusive and universal take on gender instead of the binary conformity I grew up with. Hopefully gender won't be the first thing we think of in the future when we think about a person, just like skin color, ability or any other physical feature. I'm working on breaking down those things I learned so many years ago.
When I was pregnant with my first child, we painted our expected child's room in a safari animal theme. It was gender neutral. I hated being asked if I was going to have a boy or girl. I felt so grateful that we were able to conceive and that my pregnancy was a healthy one. I often answered, "I'm hoping it isn't a monkey." I was aiming for a healthy human baby and that was all I cared about. Gender is emphasized in an unhealthy way so often and it has always rubbed me wrong, especially after I met people who were told the wrong gender before birth and families who lost their babies in late pregnancy or stillbirth.
It's refreshing to see this taking form in books that can be introduced at a young age. It can help children have a more inclusive and universal take on gender instead of the binary conformity I grew up with. Hopefully gender won't be the first thing we think of in the future when we think about a person, just like skin color, ability or any other physical feature. I'm working on breaking down those things I learned so many years ago.
January 8, 2022
This book is so well done, and is as much for parents as it is kids. The explanations and definitions at the back of the book were also great, providing guidance for adults to navigate conversations around identity, sex and gender with young children. However, I think it would’ve been better as a picture book rather than a board book. The board book is gorgeous, but it’s a bit complex for that age group. Of course, it’s important to have a safe space for conversations about identity and gender at every age and this book certainly could facilitate that, but the way this is executed and language used feels more appropriate for 3+, which is not the usual demographic for board books. Please bring it out in picture book format!
January 8, 2022
So cute. Straightforward but not preachy. Love it.
July 29, 2021
An honest, straight-forward, and strong addition to books addressing gender for our youngest children. Written by experts, it approaches terms and concepts in a developmentally appropriate way while encouraging thoughtful reflection and participation from the reader. A guide to terms for grown ups in the back adds value for approaching these conversations with young children. Ultimately, this book is about helping kids to be more accepting of others and seeing that the diversity of our world is what makes is great, while driving home the message that how they truly feel inside is what matters most.
October 30, 2023
This book did not sit well with me. It is marketed as a book for toddlers, however it talks about penises, vaginas, etc. In my opinion, these topics are something children should not have to worry about and forcing them to think about it is perverted and odd. They can come to these choices on their own, and shoving all of these genders and terms down their throats will just be confusing. I appreciate the attempt at kindness and acceptance, however I think this is too graphic of a way to do it for toddlers.
August 18, 2021
Delightfully clear language and inclusive illustrations will help guide caregivers through early conversations about gender, gender identity, and the need to challenge existing systems and stereotypes.
My favorite line in the backmatter: "Patriarchy may seem like a big word for little kids, but so is Tyrannosaurus."
My favorite line in the backmatter: "Patriarchy may seem like a big word for little kids, but so is Tyrannosaurus."
November 23, 2021
Breaks down an impressive breadth of information into simple and accessible language. I love the engaging questions like, "What do you love about your body?", "What are some genders you know about?", and "What do you wonder about yourself?". Great back matter info for adults as well. Seems more fitting for a picture book than a board book, but really I'd be happy if it was available as both!
August 24, 2021
A great book for starting (and continuing) conversations about gender, gender roles, and gender norms. I wish it was available in a non-board book format as well, it is suitable for children well into elementary school. Highly recommended for preK & up.
October 4, 2021
How to talk to children about gender. Grown-ups may get the gender wrong, and it's okay to correct them. Gives tips about how to start the conversation and respond to children's questions at the end. Another great one in this series.
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October 11, 2021Goodness....that was a lot of detail packed into one board book. Not sure it's really a "first conversation," though it will appeal to many parents. Also, the idea that "Feminist" is the general term for gender activism is news to me.
September 24, 2021
Fantastic board book with a good amount of extra content for the caretakers of young children.
June 29, 2024
For seven years I've been reading and reviewing LGBTQ+ picture books for kids every Pride Month, and I've never given one a single star. Ever. I didn't want to be the person who came down on these books and they enough bad reviews. Even ones I really didn't like got a second star. But I'm just going to say it, this is bad. Like this is not a well done book. At all.
First of all, the art is beyond bland. Apparently this illustrator creates webcomics. This art felt to me like it was drawn by AI. Maybe it's a taste thing.
Secondly, the design is terrible. There's at least three different fonts in this book...one for the main text, one for the questions that seem to be asked at random...each double page spread ends with one except when they don't. And then there's a different font for captions in the pictures. Plus italics. Am I supposed to be reading this aloud? It's confusing.
Content wise...meh. I mean, it's there, there's some brief mentions of pronouns and things but I think it's confusing. The page that says different bodies have different parts points out elbows, noses and belly buttons. Doesn't everyone have a belly button? I have questions. And then we get to the page where it says some bodies have a vagina and some bodies have a penis and the illustration on that page has...the same kid (maybe) from different angles and one kid poking his head between his legs to look at the audience. All the kids in the pic are wearing clothes and the body parts mentioned aren't featured at all. Which maybe they didn't want to make this a biology book, but then maybe don't talk about body parts? Because other books do and they do it better.
And then we have the presidents. We're talking about imbalance of power...I guess...and maybe that makes sense but who is this for again? What's the age group? Because we've gone from identities to pronouns to toys to clothes to....presidents? That's quite a journey to take us on in a book aimed at 3&4 year olds.
I don't want to dismiss books trying to add to this conversation, but there are such good ones out there and this...isn't. I'm just gonna own my review. This one is bad and you should read a different one. Because there are better ones out there.
First of all, the art is beyond bland. Apparently this illustrator creates webcomics. This art felt to me like it was drawn by AI. Maybe it's a taste thing.
Secondly, the design is terrible. There's at least three different fonts in this book...one for the main text, one for the questions that seem to be asked at random...each double page spread ends with one except when they don't. And then there's a different font for captions in the pictures. Plus italics. Am I supposed to be reading this aloud? It's confusing.
Content wise...meh. I mean, it's there, there's some brief mentions of pronouns and things but I think it's confusing. The page that says different bodies have different parts points out elbows, noses and belly buttons. Doesn't everyone have a belly button? I have questions. And then we get to the page where it says some bodies have a vagina and some bodies have a penis and the illustration on that page has...the same kid (maybe) from different angles and one kid poking his head between his legs to look at the audience. All the kids in the pic are wearing clothes and the body parts mentioned aren't featured at all. Which maybe they didn't want to make this a biology book, but then maybe don't talk about body parts? Because other books do and they do it better.
And then we have the presidents. We're talking about imbalance of power...I guess...and maybe that makes sense but who is this for again? What's the age group? Because we've gone from identities to pronouns to toys to clothes to....presidents? That's quite a journey to take us on in a book aimed at 3&4 year olds.
I don't want to dismiss books trying to add to this conversation, but there are such good ones out there and this...isn't. I'm just gonna own my review. This one is bad and you should read a different one. Because there are better ones out there.
September 24, 2021
Just as the same two authors do in their earlier Our Skin, this book offers a place to begin conversations about gender. The digital illustrations make what could be a dry and cumbersome topic relatable, engaging, and downright fun. On some pages, there are even questions about gender posed for youngsters to consider. Acknowledging that there are times when gender is incorrectly assigned at birth, the authors point out that there are many ways to express one's gender and that gender can change. The back matter provides more detail and talking points about body parts, gender assignment, gender binary, gender stereotypes, gender pronouns, gender expression, feminism, patriarchy, empowerment and activism. While some of these topics are clearly too complicated for a child reading a board book, they offer food for thought and also the possibility of being explored more deeply as years go by. The authors even offer simple changes that adults and children can make--for instance, ceasing the use of boys and girls when addressing others in order to challenge the assumption that someone must be one or the other or have characteristics typically associated with one gender. Some of the changes may seem awkward at first, but with practice, they will come more naturally so that everyone can feel free to be whatever and whomever they wish to be.
January 1, 2024
Finally, a book by Megan that doesn’t go negative. This is my third book of Megan’s that I have read in this series, and this is one that I finally liked. Megan addresses how everyone has some of the same body parts (belly buttons, elbows, etc.) and then, males and females each have something different. Megan does use specific terms for those body parts, so be prepared for that. The book moves into growing up and how individuals keep the gender they are born with, or they change them. For some individuals, they don’t know what gender they are. The main point here is that whatever a person is feeling is what’s important and they can use pronouns to describe themselves.
The author addresses history and even though the rules may state that girls can do this, and boys can do that, there are feminists who are working to change these rules so anyone can do anything that they want. Even the reader can be an active participant. They can “work together” with others to make things fair because the “things we say and do matter” and make the “world better for everybody.” A more positive book and it didn’t get off the main topic. It showed the reader that they can do something to help the situation instead of creating more hostility or anger. 4 stars
The author addresses history and even though the rules may state that girls can do this, and boys can do that, there are feminists who are working to change these rules so anyone can do anything that they want. Even the reader can be an active participant. They can “work together” with others to make things fair because the “things we say and do matter” and make the “world better for everybody.” A more positive book and it didn’t get off the main topic. It showed the reader that they can do something to help the situation instead of creating more hostility or anger. 4 stars
September 29, 2021
WHEW okay this is a lot to unpack LOL. It is all VERY important information. The way it is presented, though, is a little... hmmm. I am totally okay with using proper terms to describe genitalia, but I don't necessarily think the words penis and vagina needed to be in a board book??? It lays everything out in a way that sounds like it's for kids, but really, this is the way some of the information needs to be presented to many adults stuck in their ways. Reminds me of that scene in The Office where Michael is like "Why don't you explain it to me like I'm five" and this is a very simple way to understand gender, pronouns, etc. I just wouldn't pick this for storytime, y'know. It's bad enough Violet found out what nipples are so every time she takes off her shirt it's always "Look mama, pippo!" and I really don't need her shouting about vaginas and penises, too... Agh. I really would have liked this more if it weren't a board book! I suppose it did its job by making me feel uncomfortable about things that are uncomfortable to talk about but shouldn't be uncomfortable to talk about. Am I making sense?
October 13, 2021
This is a pretty decent conversation starter for kids as young as toddlers. It's probably not casual reading, but more along the lines of a book parents can reach for if their child starts asking why people say some toys are just for girls, why all the US presidents have been men, if they say things like certain jobs are just for boys or girls, or even asking questions about friends and family who use they/them pronouns. The explanations are really simple without being patronizing, there's a really easy engagement question at the end of each set of pages, and further discussion topics at the end of the book. Kids as young as three could use this book, but the text is approachable enough that bigger kids can read it on their own if they don't have an aversion to board book pages. It's not indoctrinating at all and is nothing to be afraid of- even if everyone in your family believes they are their assigned gender and you don't think you have any friends or acquaintances who even question their identity when it comes to their biology, eventually your kids will know or know of someone who does. This is just really simple and nice.
July 4, 2023
This picture book not only helps you teach your children about gender but also teaches them to respect others and their identities. If someone identifies as they/them, then we respect that and refer to them as that. The same goes for other pronouns. This book is good for when children ask those questions you may not know how to answer. You can pull out the book and find the specific topic and talk about it.
The only thing I felt unsure of was whether or not it was written for the children or for their parents/guardians and/or educators. It felt a bit too information-packed. It definitely felt more like a book for adults to use as a resource for children than an actual picture book. I also wish this book would have focused more on the topics of gendered toys, clothing, hobbies etc for children and how you don't have to be a girl for dolls and pink and you don't have to be a boy for blue and trucks.
The only thing I felt unsure of was whether or not it was written for the children or for their parents/guardians and/or educators. It felt a bit too information-packed. It definitely felt more like a book for adults to use as a resource for children than an actual picture book. I also wish this book would have focused more on the topics of gendered toys, clothing, hobbies etc for children and how you don't have to be a girl for dolls and pink and you don't have to be a boy for blue and trucks.
March 23, 2023
Being You is a book that teaches students about gender equality. this book teaches children about all of the different genders, pronouns, gender equality, what our society has done to make these people feel more included, etc. The book is about different kids explaining who they are. This book is a good way to explain to young children the different genders. Not only does this book explain the genders but is also asks questions after each topic to get the kids thinking. This book also discusses gender inequalities in our history and our world today and what we as a society have done to make it better. This is a great tool to use to help kids feel more comfortable in their bodies and that it is okay to be different because everyone is unique. the illustrations in this book are beautiful, as they show kids from all different backgrounds, genders, races, sexualities, etc.
July 15, 2023
Lovely. Mostly for parents who care, but need support. If this is you, I suggest you read the book yourself first. Then decide how much of it you are ready to share with your child, and how you hope to share it.
Let them take the lead on the 'how.' Maybe they want to just read the main parts of the narrative, or maybe even just look at the pictures. Or maybe they want to have a conversation about every spread, or even about some of the back matter, too. It might take you a few minutes to read (but if so, bring it out again in a few days and try again), or it might take you a week. Your child needs what they need.
And don't forget; they've probably had experiences at preschool or school or grandpa's house (or church, or the toy store) that they have questions about. Ask them, don't just tell them!
Let them take the lead on the 'how.' Maybe they want to just read the main parts of the narrative, or maybe even just look at the pictures. Or maybe they want to have a conversation about every spread, or even about some of the back matter, too. It might take you a few minutes to read (but if so, bring it out again in a few days and try again), or it might take you a week. Your child needs what they need.
And don't forget; they've probably had experiences at preschool or school or grandpa's house (or church, or the toy store) that they have questions about. Ask them, don't just tell them!
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