Picture Books About Identity 2023 | Indian Prairie Public Library District

"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...

3) Call me Max

Author

Lukoff, Kyle

Series

Max and friends volume 1

Description

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"When Max starts school, the teacher hesitates to call out the name on the attendance sheet. Something doesn't seem to fit. Max lets her know the name he wants to be called by--a boy's name. This begins Max's journey as he makes new friends and reveals his feelings about his identity to his parents. Written with warmth and sensitivity by trans writer Kyle Lukoff, this book is a sweet and age-appropriate introduction to what it means to be transgender"--...

4) Born ready: the true story of a boy named Penelope

Author

Patterson, Jodie

Formats:

Book, eBook, Kindle

Description

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Just before his fifth birthday, Penelope lets his mother know he is a boy and, with her support and his ninja powers, faces the rest of his family and his classmates. Drawn from the author's memoir, The bold world.

5) What are your words?: a book about pronouns

Author

Locke, Katherine

Description

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Ari knows a lot of words for neighbors, including the pronouns each prefers, and with help from Uncle Lior, who always asks "What are your words," figures out which pronouns--and other words--fit best today.

6) Payden's pronoun party

Author

Jaryn, Blue

Description

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"Payden has always used he/him pronouns, until one day Payden realizes those words might not fit. Payden's parents promise to throw a big party to introduce whatever pronouns Payden chooses--but which pronouns are the best match? On a colorful quest, Payden talks to friends about a rainbow of possibilities: he, she, they, ze, and so many more! The right pronouns are just waiting to be tried on. Put on your party hats and learn about the magical variety...

7) Me & my dysphoria monster: an empowering story to help children cope with gender dysphoria

Author

Dale, Laura Kate

Description

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"Nisha's monster follows her everywhere. It used to be small, but recently her monster has begun to grow. And as her monster gets bigger and bigger, Nisha feels more and more unlike herself. When people refer to her as a boy, or when she tries to hide her true gender identity, Nisha's dysphoria monster grows larger and larger. Until, one day, Nisha meets Jack - a trans man - who shows Nisha how she can shrink her dysphoria monster back down to size....

8) Love, Violet

Author

Wild, Charlotte Sullivan

Formats:

Book, eBook, Kindle

Description

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Shy Violet attempts to show another girl how she feels on Valentine's Day.

9) Ritu weds Chandni

Author

Narvankar, Ameya

Description

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"This vibrant picture book sets the story of a same-sex couple struggling to gain acceptance against the colorful backdrop of an Indian wedding. Ayesha is excited to attend her cousin Ritu's wedding. She can't wait to dance at the baraat ceremony! But not everyone is happy that Ritu is marrying her girlfriend Chandni. Some have even vowed to stop the celebrations. Will Ayesha be able to save her cousin's big day? Centering Ayesha's love for her cousin...

10) From the stars in the sky to the fish in the sea

Author

Thom, Kai Cheng

Description

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"A magical gender variant child brings transformation and change to the world around them thanks to their mother's enduring love. In the magical time between night and day, when both the sun and the moon are in the sky, a child is born in a little blue house on a hill. And Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. The only problem is they can't decide what to be: a boy or a girl? A bird or a fish? A flower...

11) Molly's tuxedo

Author

Johnson, Vicki

Description

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"Molly's school picture day is coming up, and she wants to have a perfect portrait taken to hang on their wall. Her mom has picked out a nice dress for her, but Molly knows from experience that dresses are trouble. They have tight places and hard-to-reach zippers, and worst of all, no pockets! Luckily, she has the perfect thing to save picture day--her brother's old tuxedo! But Mom doesn't want her to wear a tuxedo in the photo; she thinks Molly looks...