Maya Gonzalez’s The Gender Wheel (2017)
The Gender Wheel (2017), written and illustrated by Maya Gonzalez, introduces readers to gender diversity through the concept of a “gender wheel.” Gonzalez’s images are warm and inviting. She illustrates […]
Robb Pearlman’s Pink is for Boys (2018)
Pink is for Boys (2018), written by Robb Pearlman and illustrated by Eda Kaban works to disrupt the idea that pink is for girls and blue is for boys. It does this through simple prose and bright, fun illustrations. Several colors, including pink, green, blue, and purple, are explored over […]
Daniel Kibblesmith’s Santa’s Husband (2017)
Santa’s Husband (2017), written by Daniel Kibblesmith and illustrated by A P Quach, reimagines Santa and his partner as an interracial gay couple. Santa Claus, a black man, and his white partner, David, live in the North Pole, check the naughty/nice list twice, and take care of all the reindeer. […]
Lesléa Newman’s Donovan’s Big Day (2011)
Donovan’s Big Day (2011), written by the prolific and talented Lesléa Newman and charmingly illustrated by Mike Dutton, unfolds from the point-of-view of a young boy excitedly getting ready for his moms’ wedding ceremony. Donovan is about nine-years-old with brown hair, green eyes, and pale white skin. His boyish bedroom […]
Amy Fabrikant’s When Kayla was Kyle (2013)
When Kayla was Kyle (2013), written by Amy Fabrikant and illustrated by Jennifer Levine, is a thoughtful book about an unhappy transgender child who bravely confides her gender identity to her parents and begins to transition. At the start of the book, Kayla’s father polices her gender by pressuring her […]
Angel Adeyoha’s The Zero Dads Club (2015)
The Zero Dads Club (2015), written by Angel Adeyoha and illustrated by Aubrey Williams, is a delightful Flamingo Rampant Press publication that celebrates multiple family forms. The story unfolds around […]
Women and Girls Changing the World
This is an eclectic list of children’s picture books I’ve reviewed that feature women and girls fighting for all forms of justice: gender justice, LGBTQ equality, environmental justice, and race justice. There are lots of paths to being a change maker! Debbie Levy’s I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark […]
Afsaneh Moradian’s Jamie is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way (2018)
Jamie is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way (2018), written by Afsaneh Moradian and illustrated by Maria Bogade, is the story of a non-binary child named Jamie’s first day at a new school. Jamie has a gender ambiguous name, appearance, and choice in play. When they […]
Airlie Anderson’s Neither (2018)
Neither (2018), created by Airlie Anderson, is a study in collapsing binaries. It’s both silly and serious, or perhaps neither of those things, depending on your point-of-view. Anderson’s book opens like a fairy tale and reads like an allegory. Once upon a time, in a far way place named the […]
Brett Axel’s Goblinheart: A Fairy Tale (2012)
Goblinheart: A Fairy Tale (2012), written by Brett Axel and illustrated by Terra Bidlespacher, is an allegory of transgender experience told through the story of a goblin named Julep.
Raise Them Righteous 