Gender
As children, many of us were told that girls play with barbies and boys play with trucks. The books below help rewrite that narrative and introduce gender identity in a developmentally appropriate way.
Angus All Aglow
Written By Heather Smith ; Illustrated By Alice Carter
Angus loves sparkly things, so much so that he can hear them. To Angus, shiny objects not only  look beautiful; they also crackle, buzz and go whiz-bang-POP! His unique ability is lost, however, when Angus wears his grandma's beaded necklace to school, and his classmates tease him for his atypical choice. Saddened by their laughter, Angus stops hearing the sparkle.
A gentle story of acceptance, generosity and friendship, Angus All Aglow reminds us that it only takes one kind gesture to restore your sparkle, and returning the kindness can make you glow from the inside out.
The Boy Who Grew Flowers
Written By Jen Wojtowicz ; Illustrated By Steve Adams
The Boy Who Grew Flowers Read Aloud
Rink is a very unusual boy who grows beautiful flowers all over his body whenever the moon is full. Rink and his family are treated as outcasts even though no one knows his strange botanical secret. But one day a new girl arrives at school, and Rink discovers she has some unique qualities of her own. Illustrator Steve Adams’ rich, textured artwork gives this tale of individuality bottomless depth and appeal.
My Shadow Is Purple
By Scott Stuart
My Shadow Is Purple Read Aloud
My Dad has a shadow that’s blue as a berry, and my Mom's is as pink as a blossoming cherry. There’s only those choices, a 2 or a 1. But mine is quite different, it’s both and it’s none. A heartwarming and inspiring book about being true to yourself and moving beyond the gender binary.
What Are Your Words?
By Katherine Locke
What Are Your Words Read Aloud
Whenever Ari's Uncle Lior comes to visit, they ask Ari one question: "What are your words?" Some days Ari uses she/her. Other days Ari uses he/him. But on the day of the neighborhood's big summer bash, Ari doesn't know what words to use. On the way to the party, Ari and Lior meet lots of neighbors and learn the words each of them use to describe themselves, including pronouns like she/her, he/him, they/them, ey/em, and ze/zir. As Ari tries on different pronouns, they discover that it's okay to not know your words right away--sometimes you have to wait for your words to find you.
Introducing Teddy
By Jessica Walton
One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas the Teddy is sad, and Errol can't figure out why. Then Thomas the Teddy finally tells Errol what Teddy has been afraid to say: 'In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl Teddy, not a boy Teddy. I wish my name was Tilly.' And Errol says, 'I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.'