True You
A Gender Journey
by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner
Photographs by Shelley Rotner
Clarion Books (HarperCollins), 2022. 48 pages.
Review written December 13, 2022, from a library book
Starred Review
Hooray! Shelley Rotner, author and photographer of many gorgeous photo-illustrated picture books, has turned her attention to the beautiful variety of children’s genders. Working with another early childhood educator, the two have written a book that explains gender in a way that children can understand. There are also nine pages of back matter with more information and further resources.
As with all of Shelley Rotner’s books, the main feature of the book is big, beautiful photographs of active children.
The book begins:
We are kids!
Girls, boys,
neither,
both,
or just not sure.
The photos show these kids being joyful, curious, and creative.
After some introductions, we meet specific kids, with speech bubbles coming from their pictures. The authors interviewed many kids and used their words. Here are a couple of them:
They thought I was a boy when I was born. But now, sometimes I feel like a girl.
Everyone can dress however they want.
Boys can wear dresses and girls don’t have to.
Another kid —
When I was born, people said I was a girl.
They were right!
I’m a girl because I feel like a girl!
People should love everybody for who they are. Anyone can play with dolls. All the colors are for everyone. Everybody can be strong.
As the book says, “Sometimes kids are just being kids — exploring different things!”
This big beautiful book can touch off accepting and supportive conversations. Whether or not your child is gender-nonconforming, this book will help them understand their peers, with an emphasis on kindness and acceptance. And there are plenty of resources for parents at the back.
gwenagna.com
shelleyrotner.com
harpercollinschildrens.com
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Childrens_Nonfiction/true_you.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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