Transgender
The Titles
Calvin | When Aidan Became a Brother | My Rainbow | Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope | Jack (Not Jackie) | Introducing Teddy
Calvin by JR Ford and Vanessa Ford
Ford, J. & Ford, V. (2021). Calvin (K. Harren, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons.
This book explores a child’s journey into acceptance. Calvin tells his family that he is a boy and when they visit his Gigi and Papa’s, he shares his new name. When visiting the grandparents, they go to a comic convention and Calvin gets a signed poster with his new name on it. He also gets new clothes and a haircut. On his first day of school, everyone knows his new name and it is on everything in his new classroom—his cubby, the lunch chart, the homework station, mailboxes, and his name tag. When his teacher announces that it is time to tell summer stories, Calvin stands and introduces himself as his new name. Calvin is a wonderful model for the ways we can offer love and acceptance to young transgender children.
Activity Idea
Calvin would fit nicely in a storytime on friends, families, and love. Calvin’s friends and family show him love in a multitude of ways. How do people show us love? How can we show love?
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
A Calvin lesson plan was also created by the the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Initiative.
Related Titles
Real-Life Experiences: Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila. / Patterson, J. (2021). Born Ready: The true story of a boy named Penelope (C. P. Barlow, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers.
Families: Lukoff, K. (2019). When Aidan became a brother (K. Juanita, Illus.). Lee & Low Books Inc.
First Day of School: Penfold, A. (2018). All are welcome (S. Kaufman, Illus.). Bloomsbury Children’s Books. / Woodson, J. (2018). The day you begin (R. López, Illus.). Nancy Paulsen books.
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
Lukoff, K. (2019). When Aidan became a brother (K. Juanita, Illus.). Lee & Low Books Inc.
This book is about Aidan and his journey to become a good big brother. Aidan may have been born a girl, but he always felt like a boy and decided to tell his parents. One day, his mom tells him that she is having a baby. People ask questions about it being a boy or a girl, and she always replies that it is a baby. Aidan wants to make sure the baby doesn’t have to go through what he went through, so he tries to pick things that boys and girls both like – gender-neutral room paint and gender-neutral clothes and gender-neutral names. He is still scared that everything won’t be perfect for the new baby, but mistakes can be fixed and love is the most important thing anyways. When Aidan Became A Brother is fitting for the Rainbow Connection because it teaches about transgender youth and reminds readers of the gentle ways we can exhibit acceptance and care.
Activities
Pair this with a title like Childs’ The New Small Person for a storytime about growing families.
The Anti-Defamation league has helpful resources for both caregivers and teachers.
Publisher Lee & Low also created a teacher’s guide.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Transition Stories: Ford, J. & Ford, V. (2021). Calvin (K. Harren, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons. / Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila. / Patterson, J. (2021). Born Ready: The true story of a boy named Penelope (C. P. Barlow, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers. / Silverman, E. (2018). Jack (Not Jackie) (H. Hatam, Illus.). Little Bee Books.
Siblings: Child, L. (2018). The new small person. Candlewick Press. / Finison, C. (2022). Lulu and Zoey: A sister story (B. Jackson, Illus.). Running Press Kids. / Muhammad, I & Ali, S.K. (2019). The proudest blue (H. Aly, Illus.). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
My Rainbow by DeShanna Neal and Trinity Neal
Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila.
Trinity is a transgender girl on the autism spectrum. She tries to explain to her empathetic mom, that she feels she needs to have long hair because she is a trans girl and not cisgender like her parent. My Rainbow illustrates the boundless love of a mother for her child. Throughout the story we see her mother listen and try to celebrate her daughter, being mindful of every aspect of her identity. She ultimately creates a handmade wig featuring a rainbow of colors to celebrate her daughter. This story was created by a mother/daughter duo and is based on their real-life experiences and includes colorfully illustrated representation of neurodivergence and transgender young adults.
Activity Idea
Pair with books like Grant’s My Fade is Fresh or Barnes’ Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut for an inclusive hair storyime. Try to integrate songs that celebrate the colors of the rainbow!
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Stories
Transition Stories: Ford, J. & Ford, V. (2021). Calvin (K. Harren, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons. / Patterson, J. (2021). Born Ready: The true story of a boy named Penelope (C. P. Barlow, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers. / Silverman, E. (2018). Jack (not Jackie) (H. Hatam, Illus.). Little Bee Books.
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 / Grant, S. (2022). My fade is fresh (K. Thomas, Illus.). Penguin Workshop.
Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope by Jodie Patterson
Patterson, J. (2021). Born ready: The true story of a boy named Penelope (C. P. Barlow, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers.
This book tells the true story of Penelope, a boy who was born a girl. Penelope struggles to express who he is to his family, often daydreaming and imagining who he could be; however, when he finally uses his words to explain how he is not a girl and does not want to be like his mother, she listens. Outside of a brief moment of contention with his big brother, Penelope experience acceptances everywhere he goes, including an extended family dinner and school. Penelope admires ninjas and the ninja mindset, and ultimately beats his opponent in a tournament, allowing for a proud declaration at the book’s close: “I’m a boy named Penelope!”
Activity Idea
Use Born Ready to think about the feelings of others. How does Penelope feel? How does he show us what he is feeling? How would you feel?
A Born Ready lesson plan was created for the Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Initiative.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Transition Stories: Ford, J. & Ford, V. (2021). Calvin (K. Harren, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons. / Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila. / Crown Books for Young Readers. / Silverman, E. (2018). Jack (Not Jackie) (H. Hatam, Illus.). Little Bee Books.
Jack (Not Jackie) by Erica Silverman
Silverman, E. (2018). Jack (not Jackie) (H. Hatam, Illus.). Little Bee Books.
This book is about Susan and her little brother, Jack. Jack is born Jackie, a girl. Susan loves her little sister Jackie and watches her grow up. As Jackie grows up, she gravitates towards “boy” things, like mud, capes, ties, clothes from the boys’ section, and cars. One day, their mom is giving them haircuts and Jackie wants a really short haircut. Susan gets mad and says Jackie looks like a boy. Jackie says, “I am a boy” and asks to be called Jack. Susan gets upset because she wants her sister back. After spending some time alone in her tent, she decides that she is okay with Jack or Jackie, it does not really matter. She leaves the tent and plays a game with Jack. Jack (Not Jackie) explores the difficulties children may face when adjusting to change and provides a look at the ways enduring love can overcome big emotions.
Activity Idea
Use this in a sibling storytime alongside titles such as The New Small Person and The Proudest Blue.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Siblings: Child, L. (2018). The new small person. Candlewick Press. / Finison, C. (2022). Lulu and Zoey: A sister story (B. Jackson, Illus.). Running Press Kids. / Muhammad, I & Ali, S.K. (2019). The proudest blue (H. Aly, Illus.). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Transition Stories: Ford, J. & Ford, V. (2021). Calvin (K. Harren, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons. / Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila. / Patterson, J. (2021). Born Ready: The true story of a boy named Penelope (C. P. Barlow, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers.
Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton
Walton, J. (2016). Introducing Teddy (D. MacPherson, Illus.). Bloomsbury.
Called “a gentle story about gender and friendship,” Introducing Teddy is a fictional story about a boy named Errol and his anthropomorphic Teddy bear friend. Thomas the Teddy does not feel like playing and Errol is committed to cheering him up. While at the swings, Thomas admits that he is worried that Errol will no longer be his friend if he knows what is bothering him. Errol persists and Thomas confides that he would prefer to be a girl teddy named Tilly instead. What follows is a sweet tale of friendship despite changes, and very good days filled with fun on the swings, gardening, and picnics. Introducing Teddy emphasizes friendship and loving what’s inside, regardless of what changes on the outside.
Activity Idea
The author has provided an excellent teacher resource guide.
More resources found on the Teaching Books page.
Related Titles
Transition Stories: Ford, J. & Ford, V. (2021). Calvin (K. Harren, Illus.). G. P. Putnam’s Sons. / Neal, T & Neal, D. (2020). My rainbow (A. Twink, Illus.). Kokila. / Patterson, J. (2021). Born Ready: The true story of a boy named Penelope (C. P. Barlow, Illus.). Crown Books for Young Readers. / Silverman, E. (2018). Jack (Not Jackie) (H. Hatam, Illus.). Little Bee Books.
Friendship: LaCour, N. (2023). My friend, Loonie (A. Lindsay, Illus.). Candlewick Press. / Percival, T. (2021). Meesha makes friends. Bloomsbury USA. / Santat, D. (2014). The adventures of Beekle: The unimaginary friend. Little, Brown books for young readers.
