You Be You! The Kid’s Guide to Gender, Sexuality and Family by Jonathan Branfman
Short Summary
You Be You! The Kid’s Guide to Gender, Sexuality and Family by Jonathan Branfman and illustrated by Julie Ben is a beautifully inclusive book that helps children understand gender, sexuality, family diversity, and acceptance. It covers complex ideas like privilege, intersectionality, and discrimination in a clear and child-friendly way, while celebrating uniqueness and encouraging kids to embrace themselves and others.
Age Group
Suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years.
Topics Discussed
Diversity & Inclusion | Gender | Inclusive | LGBTQIA+ Families
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of You Be You! The Kid’s Guide to Gender, Sexuality and Family by Jonathan Branfman from Amazon.
What this book is about
- You Be You! is divided into easy-to-follow chapters that introduce children to big topics like biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, attraction, discrimination, and family diversity.
- It explains that gender doesn’t always match biological sex and introduces intersex people, chromosomes, and the idea of gender diversity.
- The book includes clear explanations of terms like gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, aromantic, and more, showing kids that all kinds of attractions and identities are valid.
- Privilege and intersectionality are discussed in a way that helps children see how different parts of who we are – like race, gender, disability, or sexuality – can affect our experiences.
- Family diversity is celebrated, with examples of families that have two mums, two dads, single parents, blended families, or extended family members.
- The colourful illustrations are vibrant and diverse, showing people of different abilities, skin tones, and cultural backgrounds.
- While some examples are specific to the United States (like laws about marriage), the overall message is universal: be true to yourself, and treat others with kindness and respect.
- It encourages kids to stand up for their friends, be allies, and challenge stereotypes – empowering them to help create a more accepting world.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath