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ABC- Deconstructing Gender
Be affectionate, beautiful, courageous, and more in this gender-bending ABC book.
Daryl is so affectionate. Alex is gentle with the family cat. Sage and Kaylin are super strong. And Ira yearns to do ballet like their older brother. Demystify gender stereotypes while learning your ABCs in this bright, celebratory debut picture book by stationery company Ash + Chess, who bring not only their quirky artistic flavor but also their personal perspectives as a queer couple to this empowering book for younger kids. This hardcover picture book is rendered in bright, bold colors and patterns and uses neon pink hues throughout. As a bonus, remove the book's jacket to reveal a cool ABC poster on the opposite side that can be displayed at home, in schools, at libraries, or anywhere!
Daryl is so affectionate. Alex is gentle with the family cat. Sage and Kaylin are super strong. And Ira yearns to do ballet like their older brother. Demystify gender stereotypes while learning your ABCs in this bright, celebratory debut picture book by stationery company Ash + Chess, who bring not only their quirky artistic flavor but also their personal perspectives as a queer couple to this empowering book for younger kids. This hardcover picture book is rendered in bright, bold colors and patterns and uses neon pink hues throughout. As a bonus, remove the book's jacket to reveal a cool ABC poster on the opposite side that can be displayed at home, in schools, at libraries, or anywhere!
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 2, 2024
I love everything about this book except the title. The artwork is bright and eye-catching. The characters are incredibly diverse and show a wide range of people, cultures, identities, styles, abilities, and tons of other differences we can celebrate and appreciate. I like the creative way each letter is incorporated. As a whole, this is a book about kindness, understanding, and also the alphabet. I think the "Deconstructing Gender" part of the title is a little misleading and could cause some folks to skip over this book because of their preconceived notions. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially people trying to teach their kids to appreciate differences and people who love bright colors!
August 26, 2023
It seemed a little complicated for introducing the ABC's. It also requires some explanation at times.
May 9, 2023
adorable children’s book with beautiful art, emphasizing compassion, love, gentleness, and freedom to do whatever pleases them (dancing, sports, creating, etc.), imagining what’s beyond gender stereotypes
July 13, 2023
Content warnings are listed at the end of my review!
I could be biased but I really love the retro psychedelic eye strain aesthetic, so this book is positively gorgeous to me- and I think kids could appreciate the flashy colors and fun shapes too, it's attention grabbing! The premise is simple but done lovingly, going thoughts the alphabet using terms to describe others. Overall, the words used are usually ones primarily attributed to a specific gender, and frowned upon for others, and this book does a great job of showing anyone can possess that attribute without it being a bad thing. It even celebrates being delicate, rough, and vulnerable, assuring readers it is great to be yourself and be kind to others. This isn't overtly a trans book, but it is trans made, includes characters who use they/them pronouns, and you will see cameos of the trans flag!
Summary:
Readability: ★★★★★, This is super readable for young audiences. Each page has one or occasionally two short sentences using simple words, the most complex one being the ABC featured word, but it can be understood through the context of the sentence and illustration. I know some folks might not like the color palate, it is BRIGHT, I love it but it can even bother my eyes a bit too, so I understand if this would deter some readers. Regardless, there's always a good job done making the text doesn't have a distracting background despite the details and colors of the illustration style which I really appreciate.
Entertainment: ★★★★★, I adored this, it's one of my favorite picture books I've read. It's to the point but done so well that you feel the passion and pride in each page, the readers will feel this and it will have such a great impact. Visually, it's so engaging to look at with the neon colors and wiggily yet clean lines.
Audience: I want a copy of this book for my collection- I'd buy prints of the pages to frame honestly (the inside covers of the books have such gorgeous patterns I need them as a fabric!). This is great! Please buy a copy, request your library gets a copy, send a copy to your friend!
Content Warnings: crying, doctor visit, fear, injury, shots mention
I could be biased but I really love the retro psychedelic eye strain aesthetic, so this book is positively gorgeous to me- and I think kids could appreciate the flashy colors and fun shapes too, it's attention grabbing! The premise is simple but done lovingly, going thoughts the alphabet using terms to describe others. Overall, the words used are usually ones primarily attributed to a specific gender, and frowned upon for others, and this book does a great job of showing anyone can possess that attribute without it being a bad thing. It even celebrates being delicate, rough, and vulnerable, assuring readers it is great to be yourself and be kind to others. This isn't overtly a trans book, but it is trans made, includes characters who use they/them pronouns, and you will see cameos of the trans flag!
Summary:
Readability: ★★★★★, This is super readable for young audiences. Each page has one or occasionally two short sentences using simple words, the most complex one being the ABC featured word, but it can be understood through the context of the sentence and illustration. I know some folks might not like the color palate, it is BRIGHT, I love it but it can even bother my eyes a bit too, so I understand if this would deter some readers. Regardless, there's always a good job done making the text doesn't have a distracting background despite the details and colors of the illustration style which I really appreciate.
Entertainment: ★★★★★, I adored this, it's one of my favorite picture books I've read. It's to the point but done so well that you feel the passion and pride in each page, the readers will feel this and it will have such a great impact. Visually, it's so engaging to look at with the neon colors and wiggily yet clean lines.
Audience: I want a copy of this book for my collection- I'd buy prints of the pages to frame honestly (the inside covers of the books have such gorgeous patterns I need them as a fabric!). This is great! Please buy a copy, request your library gets a copy, send a copy to your friend!
Content Warnings: crying, doctor visit, fear, injury, shots mention
October 5, 2025
I was so thrilled with the message, whimsical illustrations and yummy colors in this book, I immediately visited the authors' merchandise website and purchased stickers for me and my transgender daughter.
This is a fantastic book to love along with your kids, to counter the millions of bits of information we are all absorbing about the learned gender constructs all around us today. With every page showing a poster worthy illustration, lilting and vivid language, reading this book is like visiting a garden in full bloom.
We borrowed this from the library and will again, and we immediately checked out another of their books after reading this and loved it just as well.
As a mom who grew up in the 80's, knew I was queer as a child and up, discovered my genderfluidity in the 2000's, have a transgender daughter since the 2010's and now am raising a 7 year old in a time when expressing your pronouns/addressing others with proper pronouns is an important and nuanced skill to acquire, it is great to find a book that is so much fun to read with kids. I am going to make sure my granddaughter reads this book as well.
This is a fantastic book to love along with your kids, to counter the millions of bits of information we are all absorbing about the learned gender constructs all around us today. With every page showing a poster worthy illustration, lilting and vivid language, reading this book is like visiting a garden in full bloom.
We borrowed this from the library and will again, and we immediately checked out another of their books after reading this and loved it just as well.
As a mom who grew up in the 80's, knew I was queer as a child and up, discovered my genderfluidity in the 2000's, have a transgender daughter since the 2010's and now am raising a 7 year old in a time when expressing your pronouns/addressing others with proper pronouns is an important and nuanced skill to acquire, it is great to find a book that is so much fun to read with kids. I am going to make sure my granddaughter reads this book as well.
May 18, 2023
A bright ABC book that uses each letter of the alphabet to describe emotions, actions, and activities children partake in regardelss of gender.
The retro neon color scheme and distinctive art style are eye catching, if a bit busy and overwhelming at times.
The text is wonderful, introducing novel and affirming vocabulary-- using adjectives such as vulnerable, intelligent, and understanding-- for each letter.
Altogether a refreshing and positive take on the traditional and often hackneyed genre of abecederies.
The retro neon color scheme and distinctive art style are eye catching, if a bit busy and overwhelming at times.
The text is wonderful, introducing novel and affirming vocabulary-- using adjectives such as vulnerable, intelligent, and understanding-- for each letter.
Altogether a refreshing and positive take on the traditional and often hackneyed genre of abecederies.
June 19, 2023
An ABC picture book with an interesting art style (squiggly arms?) that is a little busy and overwhelming at times. It would've been better, I think, if some of the characters returned instead of new ones being introduced every single page. I also think, for an ABC book, the language was pretty advanced which was an odd juxtaposition. However, props for inclusivity in art and names, and I appreciate the goal of the book.
February 12, 2024
PC Warning: This book is only partially PC. This new book shows that boys, girls, and "others" can all be gentle or rough. Most of it includes the typical two genders, in colorful drawings. The characters are ethnically diverse, with some being gender diverse, as well. The people are drawn with peculiar, wavy lines, so they look odd. I was puzzled at the idea that a "brave" and "tough" person would cry getting a shot. That made no sense to me!
September 27, 2025
A lot of these ABC books are not very good in that they aren't good read alouds, and they seem more for adults. This one is freakin tops! The words for each letter are positive and captivating, ready to increase a little's vocabulary in the very best way. The artwork is unique and bold, making the book stand out on the shelf. And the message! Thank you for writing this. We can be delicate, courageous, gentle, joyous, intelligent. We can be ourselves.
October 1, 2023
Wonderfully inclusive, but more an introduction to gender fluidity than an abecedary (this isn't really a problem). The pages are retro and neon and maximalist -- they are appealing and a lot of fun. This book may be directed more towards adults than kids, but if kids get through it they'll likely gain a little empathy. (and maybe an affinity for shag carpets)
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January 16, 2024This colorful and fun children's book introduces gender inclusivity in a playful way, going through the alphabet with flashy colors and fun shapes. The book subtly challenges gender norms, celebrating individuality and featuring characters with they/them pronouns and the trans flag. Can be problematic if school has more conservative familiesn who are against LGBTQ+.
April 28, 2025
Loved this alphabet book but did not like the title. A fun abc book with fabulous lack of gender bias. I felt like the title made it ONLY about the genders instead of just a fun book about the ABCs and kind things kids can do together.
June 3, 2023
From the engaging, fun illustrations to the expansive representations of human experiences, this book is a delight! Perfect for every home and library shelf!
July 27, 2023
Excellent! Very colorful illustrations and sends strong messages of care and empowerment and beauty!
August 11, 2023
Didn't like the art at all. The people look like they are made of multi-coloured jelly.
November 9, 2023
go this for my 6 year old niece, can’t wait to help them fuck up gender roles
February 17, 2024
Beautiful text and examples of characteristics of lots of differently identifying people in an inclusive way, but the neon color scheme was too much for my eyeballs.
August 23, 2024
Really bright lovely artwork, and the overall message is solid - it's just a touch text-heavy and complicated for the age range? There are lots of fun little details to spot while reading though!
April 3, 2025
Visually, this is cool as heck. However, the message isn't clearly expressed, and I don't think the target audience would take much away from this book about gender at all.
June 12, 2023
An eye-catching alphabet book celebrating diversity and inclusivity. I would have liked it more if the characters showed up multiple times throughout the book and maybe some did but there was a bit too much going on with the illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews