Breaking Stereotypes
The following books feature characters that move beyond the binary, whether through style, dress, or cultural expectations. Each story celebrates individuality and demonstrates that there is no one better to be than yourself.
The Titles
Neither | Bodies are Cool | My Fade is Fresh | Pink, Blue, and You! | Jacob’s New Dress | Jacob’s Room to Choose | Strong | Julían is a Mermaid | Téo’s Tutu | Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights | Rainbow Boy | The Boy and the Bindi | True Colors
Neither by Airlie Anderson
Anderson, A. (2018). Neither. Little, Brown and Company.
This book is about a creature who finds his way to a land where he is welcome. In the Land of This and That, there are only two creatures: This and That. That is, until a new creature called Neither is born. After being sent away for his difference, Neither finds the Land of All. Here, everyone is different, but everyone is welcome! Neither is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it shows difference in a way that makes things easy to understand for children. It teaches love, acceptance, and kindness.
Activity Idea
We are all made up of many parts, and sometimes what makes us different is also what makes us special. Students can create their own creatures to live in the Land of All. Each student draws (or builds, whatever time allows) a creature and shares facts about it, such as strengths, weaknesses, or favorite foods. For a creative play element, incorporate dress-up materials and encourage students to embody their creatures.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Friendship and Acceptance: Bonilla, B. (2018). Polar bear island (C. Villalobos, Illus.). Scholastic. / Parr, T. (2001). It’s okay to be different. Little, Brown, and Co. / Walton, J. (2016). Introducing Teddy (D. MacPherson, Illus.). Bloomsbury.
Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder
Feder, T. (2021). Bodies are cool. Dial Books for Young Readers.
Bodies are Cool celebrates bodies. Every tableau in this vibrantly illustrated picture book includes a diverse range of size, skin color, age, and gender representation accompanied by descriptive vocabulary with the reminder that “bodies are cool!” Though not an explicitly LGBTQ title, this book celebrates difference and includes images of characters breaking gender stereotypes.
Activity Idea
Celebrate what your body can do! Use this book as a warm-up to strength activities in the school gym or create positive affirmation prompts that highlight students’ favorite body parts. For example, I love my ______ because _______ (I love my eyes because they help me see my friends!).
This book is applicable across a range of read-aloud environments, including the classroom (physical education, dance, art, or general), library storytime, and bedtime. These educator resources include videos featuring the author/illustrator Tyler Feder.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Grant, S. (2022). My fade is fresh (K. Thomas, Illus.). Penguin Workshop. / Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Celebrating Differences: Pearson, C.L. (2020). I’ll walk with you (J. Sanders, Illus.). Gibbs Smith. / Sotomayor, S. (2019). Just ask! Be different, be brave, be you (R. Lopez, Illus.). Penguin Young Readers Group.
My Fade is Fresh by Shauntay Grant
Grant, S. (2022). My fade is fresh (K. Thomas, Illus.). Penguin Workshop.
My Fade is Fresh is a rhyming book set inside a barber shop. When a little girl plops into the chair and asks for a fresh fade, everyone offers alternative hairstyles. The story unfolds over a four-hour period, with the evolution of her style based on the stylists’ endless suggestions, from puff to curly crop to dyes, celebrating the many looks you can try before landing on the one that is just right. This book features a girl breaking gender stereotypes – walking into the barber shop with “bushy, brownish, biggish hair” and walking out with the “freshest fade up on the block.” For ages 3-7.
Activity Idea
Perfect for a hair-themed storytime, My Fade is Fresh empowers children to celebrate who they are no matter what that looks like, fitting nicely with a book like Crown: An ode to the fresh cut. Educators can also use the rhyming elements for an uplifting lesson for younger learners to focus on rhyming sounds. Then, connect with your community and invite a local barber in to talk about their job.
Early childhood and pre-k classrooms can integrate dramatic play into their day with a barber salon center.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Hair: Barnes, D. (2017). Crown: An ode to the fresh cut (G. C. James, Illus.) Denene Millner Books. / Cherry, M. A. (2019). Hair love (V. Harrison, Illus.). Penguin Random House / Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila. /
Pink, Blue, and You! by Elise Gravel
Gravel, E. (2022). Pink, blue, and you! Questions for kids about gender stereotypes (M. Blais, Illus.). Anne Schwartz Books.
Elise Gravel’s comic style is a fun and accessible way to approach concepts such as gender stereotypes, sex, identity, equality, and pronouns. It approaches gender stereotypes with humor and demonstrates that no child needs to be limited by their gender. It also includes old laws against women, such as no wearing pants, flying planes, or voting; as well as laws about homosexuality. It ends on a poignant note about those who have overcome these laws so that they could finally be themselves. This is a perfect guide to read alongside your child – it can be explored in chunks with plenty of discussion throughout.
Activity Idea
Pink, blue, and you! is told in Elise Gravel’s signature style, mixing non-fiction facts with illustration and humor, and would make for a wonderful caregiver teaching tool to discuss gender stereotypes with children of all ages.
Author/Illustrator Elise Gravel includes free printables that can be used inside the home or classroom to combat gender sterotypes.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page: https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=85077
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Grant, S. (2022). My fade is fresh (K. Thomas, Illus.). Penguin Workshop. / Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Pronouns: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2021). Jacob’s school play (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press. / Locke, K. (2021). What are your words? (A. Passchier, Illus.). Little, Brown and Company.
History: Sanders, R. (2018). Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag (S. Salerno, Illus.). Penguin Random House.
Jacob’s Room to Choose by Sarah and Ian Hoffman
Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2019). Jacob’s room to choose (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press.
This book is a gentle lesson in accepting differences. Jacob and Sophie are chased out of the school bathroom because they do not look like “typical boys and girls”. When they tell their teacher about their experience, she draws two pictures on the classroom board. One is a “typical boy” and the other is a “typical girl”. She asks all of the kids to go stand by the picture that looks like them. She then points out that not everyone looks exactly like the picture on the board – some boys have long hair, and some girls wear pants instead of a dress. The class then decides to make their own bathroom signs – ones where everyone is welcome without judgment. Jacob’s Room to Choose reminds readers to treat everyone with kindness.
Activity Idea
Jacob’s Room to Choose provides excellent support for a caregiver or a teacher looking to explore gender and acceptance inside classroom and public spaces.
Parent resources available from the American Psychological Association. Additional resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Celebrating Differences: Gravel, E. (2022). Pink, blue, and you! (M. Blais, Illus.). Anne Schwartz Books.
Other Jacob Books: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2021). Jacob’s school play (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press.
Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman
Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company.
Jacob wants to wear a dress. In the dress up corner at school, he wears a sparkly pink dress. A boy named Christopher makes fun of him for it. When he gets home, he asks his mom if boys can wear dresses – she says of course and tells him to play dress-up in his dress from last Halloween. He asks if he can wear it to school but she says it would get dirty and to keep it at home. Jacob asks if he can get a real dress for school – his mom asks him to let her think about it. The next day, he wraps a towel around himself and wears it to school; he calls it a “dress-thing.” Christopher makes fun of him again and yanks it off Jacob. When he gets home, he asks his mom to help him make a real dress again – this time she agrees, and they sew a dress together. He wears it to school the next day and Christopher is mean again. Jacob’s dress protects him like armor from the mean words and he stands up for himself against Christopher. Jacob’s New Dress features a gender non-conforming child and explores his experience with bullies seeking acceptance in the classroom.
Activity Idea
This is a perfect caregiver or teacher resource for teaching acceptance inside the classroom. Foster empathy between the learner and Jacob through questions such, “how do you think Jacob feels when Christopher is mean to him?” And, “how would you feel?” Then, create an action plan for students to enact whenever they see someone being bullied. Here’s a great Bill Harley song about being your own version of cool: Cool in the School.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Other Jacob Books: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2019). Jacob’s room to choose (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press. / (2021). Jacob’s school play (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press.
Strong by Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood
Kearney, R & Rosswood, E. (2022). Strong (N. Chanani, Illus). Little, Brown and Company.
Strong is the true story of Rob Kearney, the only openly gay professional strongman. In his youth, Rob sought ways to use his muscles, carrying all the groceries, playing football, or launching cheerleaders in the year. When he started weightlifting, he finally found the sport that made him feel strong like a superhero, but whenever he tried to fit in with his competitors he did not win. After meeting his future husband Joey in the gym, Rob realizes he cannot hide who he is, and begins wearing the brightly colored clothes that make him happiest. Together, Joey and Rob train, and Rob ultimately becomes a strongman champion. Including bolded terms, an introduction to the strongman sport, and definitions of unique strongman events, this Stonewall Honor book is a wonderful introduction to the sport and shows that we are our strongest when we are true to ourselves.
Activity Idea
This book is perfect for a health or physical education classroom unit on strong bodies. Read it prior to fitness tests or when working on goal setting.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Love, J. (2018). Julian is a Mermaid. Walker Books. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Strongman: Rubinstein, R. (2010). Zishe the Strongman (W. Miller, Illus.). Kar-Ben Publishing
Julían is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Love, J. (2018). Julian is a mermaid. Walker Books.
This book is about a little boy who loves mermaids. Julian is hanging out with his grandmother when they see a few mermaids on the train. Julian starts to imagine his life as a mermaid, but then they are at their stop and have to get off. When they get back to his grandmother’s house, she decides she is going to go take a bath. While she is in the bath, Julian decides to dress up like a mermaid using things from around his grandmother’s house. When she gets out of the bath, she gives him a necklace to wear to complete his mermaid look and takes him to the beach to see all of the other mermaids. This book is for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Julian is a Mermaid is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it teaches children that they can be anything they want to be.
Activity Idea
Pair this book with other Mermaid tales for a fun mermaid themed storytime that little ones can’t wait to dive into! Check out Chandler’s Mermaid and the monsters: A story of bravery and making friends, DiPucchio’s Oona, or Rafi’s A mermaid girl!
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Mermaids: Chandler, A. (2022). Mermaid and the monsters: A story of bravery and making friends (D. Chandler, Illus.). Cordgrass Publishing / DiPucchio, K. (2021). Oona (R. Figueroa, Illus.). Harper Collins. / Rafi, S. (2022). A mermaid girl (O. Asser, Illus.). Viking Books for Young Readers.
Other Julian Books: Love, J. (2020). Julian at the wedding. Candlewick Press.
Téo’s Tutu by Maryann Jacob Macias
Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers.
Whether it’s the cumbia or the bhangra, Téo loves to dance. After seeing Swan Lake, Téo enrolls in ballet classes. He wears a tutu, and when his classmates ask why, he simply tells them that it is pretty. When the recital approaches, Téo must decide: should he wear the tutu that makes him feel free or should he wear the pants that the audience expects? His parents lovingly support him throughout, and when he flawlessly performs his dance in a purple tutu, the audience applauds. This book is a gentle way to explore identity and celebrate the art of dance.
Activities
Teó’s Tutu is a fun pick for a dance storytime or a dance unit in a physical education class. Pair with Flood’s I Will Dance and Copeland’s Firebird. Bring out some colorful scarves for an inclusive celebration of the art.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Dance: Allman, J.R. (2020). Boys dance! (L. Lozano, Illus.). Penguin Random House. / Copeland, M. (2014). Firebird (C. Myers, Illus.). G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers / Flood, N. B. (2020). I will dance (J. Swaney, Illus.). Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights by Kristen McCurry
McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s polka dot tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
This book is about Patrick and his love of a pair of purple, polka-dotted tights. The tights technically belong to his sister, but she only wears them when she has a piano recital. Patrick loves the tights all of the time – to wear for warmth, to use to walk his dog, to play dress up. One day, Patrick’s sister, Penelope, needs her tights back for her piano recital. After the recital, their family goes out for ice cream. Penelope gets chocolate syrup all over the tights and ruins them – Patrick is heartbroken. On the way home from getting ice cream, they stop at the store. At the register, Patrick’s dad hands Patrick a colorful box. It was new tights! Patrick loves the new tights just as much as the purple polka-dotted tights, but he decides to keep them, too. This book is targeted towards children ages 5 to 7 years old. Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it breaks gender traditions and teaches children that they can wear whatever makes them happy.
Activity Idea
Throughout this story, Patrick must navigate many big feelings towards his sister, such as jealousy and anger. Teachers can use it when working on social emotional skills. As you read the text, ask students how they think Patrick is feeling. Follow up with probing questions about how they know this (what does his face look like?). After, play a fun game like the monster feelings match up game!
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Big Emotions: LaCour, N. (2022). Mama and mommy and me in the middle (K. Juanita, Illus.). Candlewick Press. / LaCour, N. (2023). My friend, Loonie (A. Lindsay, Illus.). Candlewick Press. / Percival, T. (2018). Ruby finds a worry. Bloomsbury USA. / Percival, T. (2023). Milo’s Monster. Bloomsbury USA. / Silverman, E. (2018). Jack (not Jackie) (H. Hatam, Illus.). Little Bee Books.
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers.
Rainbow Boy by Taylor Roaunzion
Rouanzion, T. (2021). Rainbow boy (S. Chomiak, Illus.). Beaming Books.
This book is about a little boy who loves all of the colors of the rainbow. When asked his favorite, he cannot pick just one. He loves his pink tutu and playing ballerina, drawing red roses, playing with his orange basketball, feeding his baby doll yellow bananas, his green mermaid tail, blue glitter, and his magic purple cape. His mom calls him her rainbow boy because he loves all of the colors so much! This book is targeted towards children ages 3 to 7. Rainbow Boy breaks gendered stereotypes regarding colors and activities. For example, the rainbow boy plays with “boy things” such as a basketball and magic cape, but he also plays with “girl things” such as ballerina tutus, mermaid tails, glitter, and baby dolls.
Activity Idea
Colors and activities work together to create our sweet little protagonist in the story. Pair this book with an affirmation activity to build learners up. Grab a book like Steinberg & Kelly’s True Colors to show how everyone is unique.
Related Titles
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions.
Rainbows: Perdomo, J. (2020). Rainbow colors. Quarto publishing group. / Steinberg, B. & Kelly, T. (2018). True colors (S. Walsh, Illus.). Penguin Random House LLC.
The Boy & the Bindi by Vivek Shraya
Shraya, V. (2016). The boy and the bindi (R. Perera, Illus.). Arsenal Pulp Press.
The Boy and the Bindi offers a look into the meaning of a Bindi through the eyes of a boy. The boy watches his Ammi get ready and wonders about the thing that she places above her eyes. Ammi replies, “It’s not a dot, it’s not a spot, it’s a Bindi,” and explains that it connects her to her history and makes her feel safe. The little boy wants to share these feelings, and asks to wear one, too. When he gets his own Bindi, he realizes the yellow gem looks different than Ammi’s, but it brings him a sense of peace. Though not an explicitly LGBTQ title, The Boy and the Bindi offers a diverse perspective on breaking gender stereotypes and includes a wonderful introduction to the Bindi.
Activity Idea
Use this helpful teacher guide to integrate The Boy and the Bindi into a larger unit on cultural acceptance.
Additional resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Bindi: Varadarajan, G. (2022). My Bindi (A. Sreenivasan, Illus.). Orchard Books.
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. / Macias, M. J. (2021). Téo’s tutu (A. Marley, Illus). Dial Books for Young Readers. / McCurry, K. (2021). Patrick’s Polka Dot Tights (M. Haley, Illus.). Capstone Editions. / Rouanzion, T. (2021). Rainbow boy (S. Chomiak, Illus.). Beaming Books.
True Colors by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly
Steinberg, B. & Kelly, T. (2018). True colors (S. Walsh, Illus.). Penguin Random House LLC.
This book is a song book with the lyrics to the song “True Colors”. It includes diverse illustrations to demonstrate the lyrics. This book is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it celebrates people for who they truly are.
Activity Idea
Use this book inside the music classroom! Listen to Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors and then do a read aloud of this story. Use guiding questions such as, is this how you imagined the song to look? How can we translate songs to pictures? How does the song make you feel? How does the book make you feel? Students can illustrate their own songs.
Related Titles
Celebrating Differences: Barnes, D. (2020). I am every good thing (G.C. James, Illus.). Nancy Paulsen Books. / Brown, K. (2019). I am perfectly designed (A, Syed, Illus.). Henry Holt and co. / Kearney, R & Rosswood, E. (2022). Strong (N. Chanani, Illus). Little, Brown and Company. /
Picture Books Based on Song Lyrics: Guthrie, W. (2020). This land is your land (K. Jakobsen, Illus.). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. / Marley, B. (2014). One love (V. Brantley-Newton, Illus.) Chronicle Books. / Redding, O. (2020). Respect (R. Moss, Illus.). Akashic books.
