Are you a boy or are you a girl? by Sarah Savage and Fox Fisher

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. So, Sex Ed Rescue used to be my YouTube channel, but unfortunately, it got shut down because a publisher reported a couple of books that I reviewed. Bummer, right? But don’t worry, Sex Ed Rescue is still alive and kicking as my website, where I help parents find a better way to talk to their kids about love, sex, relationships, and growing up. You’ll find loads of information and resources there.

One of the things I do on Sex Ed Rescue is review books. Right now, I’ve reviewed over 500 books, and I’m always adding more topics and narrowing them down to make them more specific. With so many books being published, it’s always exciting when I find one that hits the mark. And the best part? I can request these books from my local library, which means libraries are becoming more inclusive and offering books on gender identity.

Today, I want to talk about a book called Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? by Sarah Savage and Fox Fisher. What I love about this book is that it’s open to interpretation. As I was reading it, I couldn’t help but wonder if it’s about gender fluid kids, non-binary kids, or just gender identity in general. And you know what? It can be about all of that! That’s what makes it so powerful. You can use it to have conversations about whatever angle you want to explore.

The story revolves around a child named Tiny and their Chinese family who recently moved to a new town because dad got a job as a bus driver. How cool is that? I remember when my own kids were around Tiny’s age, and being a bus driver would have been the coolest job ever. The book touches on things that kids can relate to, like the excitement of a new house and a special bedroom, playing dress-up with their sister, and the freedom to dress however they want with their mom’s support.

Tiny goes to school, but some kids can’t figure out if Tiny is a boy or a girl. But you know what? The teacher steps in and says, Why does it matter? And I couldn’t agree more. Kids are often more accepting and adaptable than we give them credit for. They can handle changes in pronouns and understand that it’s not about what’s between someone’s legs, but about who they are as a person.

The book also challenges gender stereotypes, showing a lady driving a fire engine and girls playing football, which is Tiny’s favorite sport. When someone says that girls can’t play football, Tiny’s friend AMIA shuts it down by saying, I don’t think it matters who plays, as long as we’re all having fun. These little examples are so important in teaching kids that gender shouldn’t limit their interests or abilities.

There’s also a moment in the book where Buster, another kid, asks Tiny if they have a penis or a vulva. It’s a common question kids have as they try to make sense of the world. But you know what? The book addresses it beautifully by emphasizing that private parts are private and that it’s not necessary to know what someone has between their legs. I think that’s a fantastic way to explain it, don’t you?

This book is a great tool for talking to kids about gender identity. It opens up so many conversations. At the end of the day, it teaches kids that it doesn’t really matter if someone is a boy or a girl. We should like people for who they are, not just their gender.

So, what do you think? How are girls and boys different? Do you think Tiny is a boy or a girl? Does it matter? Should Tiny be allowed to play football and dress up as a fairy? These are all great questions to discuss with your kids using this book as a starting point.

I hope you found this review helpful. Remember, talking to kids about gender identity is important, and books like Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? can make it easier and more inclusive. Cheers!