Pronouns

These books remind readers that words matter.

The Titles

Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and They | What are Your Words?

The illustrated cover of Jacob's School Play: Starring He, She, and They. Nine frames featuring Jacob, a non-binary child with long blonde hair, doing things like ribbon dancing with their friend, revealing a drawing, and standing next to a child in a costume.

Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and They by Ian and Sarah Hoffman

Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2021). Jacob’s school play (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press.

This book is about finding the right words to describe who you are. As the class is making their costumes for the school play, Noah tries on his ram horns and runs headfirst into Ari. When the teacher asked one happened, Jacob uses he/his pronouns when recounting what happened to their teacher. Ari corrects Jacob’s language, noting they are not a him. The other kids have questions and Ms. Reeves teaches them about pronouns and how there is she, he, and they. The class then puts on the play, and at the end, Jacob forgets his line. He improvises and says that their class is like a farm because they all help each other grow in their own way. This book is for children aged 4 to 8 years old. Jacob’s School Play offers discussion opportunities about pronouns and identity.

Activity Idea

This story serves as a developmentally appropriate introduction to non-binary people and can be shared in a caregiver storytime. More resources found on the Teaching Books page.

Related Titles

Pronouns: Gravel, E. (2022). Pink, blue, and you! (M. Blais, Illus.). Anne Schwartz Books. / Locke, K. (2021). What are your words? (A. Passchier, Illus.). Little, Brown and Company.

Other Jacob Books: Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2014). Jacob’s new dress (C. Case, Illus.). Albert Whitman & Company. /Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2019). Jacob’s room to choose (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press.

The illustrated cover of what are your words. A diverse display of five smiling children. They each have different skin colors and wear different outfits like stripes, jean jackets, and sweater vests.

What are Your Words? by Katherine Locke

Locke, K. (2021). What are your words? (A. Passchier, Illus.). Little, Brown and Company.

This book is about a young child trying to figure out what their pronouns are—their words. Uncle Lior visits Ari and asks “what are your words?” but Ari doesn’t know today. Together, they go to the summer bash, and along the way meet up with some of their neighbors. They ask the neighbors what their words are. At the end, during the summer bash, Ari figures out what their words are as the fireworks are going off. This book is targeted towards young children ages 4 to 8. What Are Your Words? is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it teaches young children about pronouns and how everyone can have different ones.

Activity Idea

This is a great book for a caregiver to introduce pronouns to their child.

More resources found on the Teaching Books page.

Related Titles

Pronouns: Gravel, E. (2022). Pink, blue, and you! (M. Blais, Illus.). Anne Schwartz Books. / Hoffman, I. & Hoffman, S. (2021). Jacob’s School Play (C. Case, Illus.). Magination Press.