Book Review
A short overview of this book
Who Am I? I Am Me!: A book to explore gender equality, gender stereotyping, acceptance and diversity by Jayneen Sanders is a lovely children’s book that will help parents to start important conversations and gender and gender stereotypes.
This is what the Author has to say…
Frankie loves dress-ups, playing soccer, visiting Grandpa, cooking pancakes, and so much more. Frankie loves what Frankie loves! The choice is always Frankie’s. Allowing your child to do the things they love and simply be themselves is one of the greatest gifts you can provide. Through Frankie’s active and fun encounters, readers soon learn that in Frankie’s world there are no gendered roles – kids are just kids! Also included are Discussion Questions for parents, caregivers and educators, and extra tips on how to reduce gender stereotyping. This book has been written to open up a conversation with children about their own individual preferences for toys, activities, games, books, etc. and to break down gender norms. In the long run, if we eliminate gender stereotyping there will be more choices for all genders, the likelihood of one gender believing they have power of another will be lessened, and children growing into adults will be free to follow their passions and be truly who they are. I hope you and the children in your care enjoy this book and the discussions it will bring.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 3 to 9 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Who am I? I am Me? by Jayneen Sanders from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak, and welcome to Sex Ed Rescue. This is where I help parents find an easier way to talk to their kids about love, sex, relationships, and growing up. Today, I want to review a fantastic book by Janine Sanders called Who am I, I am Me. It’s all about exploring gender equality, gender stereotyping, acceptance, and diversity.
Let me tell you, this book is a gem! It starts off with a note from the author, discussing what it means to be a boy or a girl, gender stereotyping, and how kids think about gender. It even touches on what it means when a child isn’t happy with their gender or feels they’re a different gender or more than one gender. There’s a lot of valuable information packed in there.
What I really love about this book is how it opens up conversations with kids about gender and stereotypes. It kicks off with a story about a little kid named Frankie, and I appreciate that the name is gender-neutral. Frankie is shown working with their dad and mom, building a house. And guess what? Frankie is dressed in a tutu but also has tools and a hard hat on. It’s all about breaking those gender barriers!
Throughout the book, we see Frankie doing all sorts of things. Sometimes they play with trains, and other times they dress up as a princess. There are no restrictions on what Frankie can do or how they can dress. It’s all about embracing individuality and not conforming to gender stereotypes. I absolutely love that!
Oh, and did I mention that the author, J, used to be a primary school teacher? So you know the book is well-written and engaging. J’s books are always a pleasure to read.
Towards the end, Frankie asks three important questions: Am I a boy? Am I a girl? Who am I? And the answer is simply, I’m me. It’s such a powerful message of self-acceptance and embracing one’s true identity.
What’s great about Jay’s books is that they always include discussion questions and additional information at the back. This helps parents expand the conversation and share their beliefs and values about gender stereotypes. There’s even some helpful information on gender-neutral parenting and teaching tips.
I hope you find this review helpful! Who am I, I am Me is a fantastic book to start conversations about gender and stereotypes with your kids. Cheers!
