Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?
Exploring gender identity through imaginative play
Sarah Savage author Fox Fisher illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published:18th May '17
Should be back in stock very soon
This engaging story encourages children to explore gender identity and self-expression through Tiny's imaginative adventures, making Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? a vital read.
In Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl?, readers are introduced to Tiny, a child who enjoys expressing themselves through various costumes and imaginative play. Whether dressing as a fairy or a knight, Tiny embraces the freedom of identity without feeling the need to label themselves as a boy or a girl. This charming story highlights the importance of self-expression and the joy of creativity, encouraging children to explore their identities without the constraints of traditional gender roles.
As Tiny begins a new school, they encounter classmates who are curious about their gender identity. This creates an opportunity for dialogue about acceptance and understanding, as Tiny's friends are supportive, but some new classmates struggle with the concept of gender diversity. The narrative gently guides children through these complex questions, fostering an environment where they can learn and grow together.
With vibrant illustrations and a relatable protagonist, Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? serves as an essential tool for parents, educators, and caregivers to discuss gender identity with children aged three and up. This book not only entertains but also imparts a vital message about being true to oneself and respecting others' choices, making it a much-needed addition to any child's library.
When a child selects a book and sees someone like themselves within its pages, they know they are not alone. It is a seemingly small gesture, to us grownups, that enables a child to feel safe and secure. This breezy and beautifully illustrated book describes gender in playful, innocent terms, allowing children the space to discover themselves and to explore their surroundings joyfully. A must for any library. -- Juno Roche, writer and campaigner
A lovely, sensitive, much-needed book that helps all children ask the big questions about identity and gender. -- Juno Dawson, author of 'This Book is Gay'
Books on gender identity for young children are still very few and far between. Children who do not identify as boys or girls will find Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? immensely reassuring. It will be extremely valuable too in schools, in families, and in other settings - for helping young children understand gender diversity and question gender stereotypes. At the end there are a number of useful discussion starters, for example 'Does it matter if Tiny is a boy or a girl?' and 'What would you ask Tiny if you met them?', followed by information about organisations that provide support on gender identity issues. A sensitive and important book, written by campaigners for transgender rights. -- Anne Harding * The School Librarian, School Library Association *
The real value for children and parents in this book stems from its simplicity, it puts the story across in a grounded manner and invites open discussion. The authors, Fox Fisher and Sarah Savage have collaborated to produce what I feel is an amazing book. -- Sophie Smallman * Being Sophie blog *
The creators introduce a serious theme in an accessible and fun way. Questions at the back of the book can prompt productive discussion about many aspects of gender. I recommend this for personal and classroom libraries. -- Raise Them Righteous
The interesting thing about this picture book is that we never discover which gender Tiny is and that it isn't important to the story.
A good story about a difficult subject to address in schools.
ISBN: 9781785922671
Dimensions: 287mm x 221mm x 9mm
Weight: 338g
32 pages