The Kid’s Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee

Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, and today I want to talk to you about an amazing book called Who Are You, the Kids Guide To Gender Identity by Brook Pessim-Whedbee and illustrated by Naomi Bardoff. Seriously, this book is brilliant!

I wish I had found it when my kids were younger because it’s super recent. It’s actually dedicated to the class of 2018, so you know it’s up-to-date.

So, what’s it all about? Well, it’s a picture book designed for kindergarten children, and it’s a fantastic tool to start conversations about gender. It’s all about making kids aware of diversity and showing them that there’s a whole lot of variety out there. You know, when babies are born, people always ask, Is it a boy or a girl? But this book challenges that notion.

It’s really culturally diverse, with different skin tones and body shapes, which is so important for normalizing differences. You see, when babies are born, we often make a guess about their gender based on their bodies. But sometimes, we just don’t know, and that’s where the book introduces the concept of intersex. It explains that sex is assigned at birth, usually as male or female, but sometimes it’s unknown.

As babies grow into kids, they start to discover what they like and don’t like. The book shows kids expressing themselves in different ways, like dressing up in unique outfits. It’s all about personal expression, and there are so many different ways to do it. Plus, it’s totally okay to change things up along the way. The book even has a page with a bunch of toys, asking kids what they like to play with.

And then there’s the topic of clothes. What clothes do you like to wear? The book explores how kids know a lot about themselves and how they feel on the inside. That’s their identity, and gender is just a part of it. It’s all about normalizing diversity, you know? As a sex educator, I’m all about raising kids who are accepting and tolerant of differences. We want to make the world a better place, right?

Some people say there are only two genders, but this book challenges that idea. It introduces the concept that there are many genders, like boys, girls, both, neither, and more. It’s all about being true to yourself and knowing who you are. And hey, grown-ups get to write about their body and gender too. That’s called cisgender, when someone’s identity matches their assigned sex at birth.

Now, I’ll be honest, there are a lot of terms out there, and they can change over time. But that’s okay! The book mentions terms like transgender, queer, non-binary, gender fluid, and more. It’s all part of the gender spectrum, which shows that there are countless ways to be a boy, a girl, or just a kid. It’s all about being yourself.

And here’s the best part: the book comes with a handy guide at the back. It suggests other books you can read, gives you conversation starters, and provides more information on current thoughts about gender. There’s even a cool Gender Wheel that you can spin around to explore your own identity. It’s a library copy, so I can’t show it to you, but trust me, it’s awesome!

I absolutely love this book. The illustrations are gorgeous, and it’s such a great way to start conversations about gender. You can even use it in a daycare setting, starting from the age of three. It’s straightforward, simple, and beautiful. I really wish I had this book when my kids were younger.

Alright, I hope that helps! Cheers, and let’s keep working towards a more inclusive and accepting world.