Book Review
A short overview of this book
He’s my Mom by Sarah Savage is a lovely book that helps children understand what it means when mom transitions their gender from a she to a he.
This is what the Publisher had to say…
My Mom’s name is David. He used to be a she but now he is a he! Last year he did this thing called transition. He took some medicine which made his voice deeper and he started wearing different clothes.
When Benjamin’s cousin accidently misgenders his mom David, Benjamin explains why misgendering is hurtful and why we need to treat trans people with respect. Benjamin speaks with confidence about transitioning and gender identity, and helps to educate and empower others with trans relatives or friends.
This brightly illustrated book for children aged 3 – 7 will aid discussion with children about a loved one transitioning or about trans people in general. Featuring a child with a mom who has transitioned, this book passes on an important message about acceptance and respect, and covers pronouns, dysphoria, family diversity and misgendering.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 8 to 12 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of He’s my Mom by Sarah Savage from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there, welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak! I’m here to help parents like you have those important conversations with your kids about love, sex, relationships, and gender. And today, I want to talk about a fantastic book called He’s My Dad by Sarah Savage.
Let me tell you, this book is a gem. It’s simple, beautiful, and a great resource for discussing transitioning or transgender people with children. There’s also another version called She’s My Dad, so you have options depending on your situation.
The story starts with a child getting a rescue dog and planning a camping trip with their family. They’re excited because it’s a tradition for all the men in their family to go camping together. But here’s the twist: the child’s mom, whose name is David, used to be a she but is now a he. Last year, David went through something called transition, which involved taking medicine to deepen his voice and changing his clothes.
This book does a wonderful job of addressing the confusion that might arise from this situation. It emphasizes that regardless of the changes, David still loves the child unconditionally. David let people know about the transition, asked them to use his new pronouns, and now Dad is a lot happier. It’s important to highlight that happiness.
During the camping trip, the child corrects their cousin when they use the wrong pronouns for David. The child explains that it makes them sad and hurt when people don’t use the right pronouns because they love their mom so much. But here’s the beautiful part: the cousin apologizes, and the child understands that it can take time for people to adjust to using the correct pronouns. It normalizes the learning process and shows that it’s okay to make mistakes.
At the end of the book, there’s a reading guide with questions to discuss and a glossary to help with any unfamiliar terms. This book is a valuable tool for parents who want to talk about transitioning or transgender individuals with their children. Kids notice these things, and it’s important to provide them with a language and understanding.
I remember a time when my own child asked me about a trans woman at a doctor’s appointment, and I didn’t know how to respond. Books like this one would have been so helpful back then. They give us the words and knowledge we need to explain these topics to our kids.
So, in conclusion, He’s My Dad is a beautifully written and illustrated book that can make these conversations easier for you and your children. Whether you know someone who’s transitioning or just want to educate your kids about the transgender community, this book is a must-have.
I hope you find this review helpful, and remember, you’re doing an amazing job as a parent. Keep those important conversations going!
