Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (ages 3 to 8)
Beautiful book about a young boy with mermaid aspirations. Love’s gorgeous illustrations provide endless opportunities for discussion and discovery. Wonderful “point of entry” text to examine gender roles and expectations with young children.
Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman (ages 3-8)
The author of the well-known Heather Has Two Mommies, Leslea Newman has several books about LGBTQ families. This one takes a somewhat heavy-handed approach about a gender non-conforming character, but the book’s clear, unwavering messages of support and acceptance are heartening.
“How Do I Talk To My Preschooler About Identity?,” Planned Parenthood
Tips from PP on how to think about, prepare for, and facilitate conversations around gender with small children. Also provides thought-provoking opportunities for self-reflection on gendered attitudes.
The Gender and Family Project
Should you or a gender-expansive child need more support, check out the GFP (through the well known and highly reputed Ackerman Institute for the Family in Manhattan). They have wonderful offerings, including Family and individual therapy, support and play groups, etc.
The Gender Creative Child by Diane Ehrensaft
This book is excellent. Not only is it rich with the author’s years of experience and perspective, it also helps parents distinguish among different types of gender expression issues. Not every boy who likes dresses and Barbies is transgender, for example. But how can we know for sure? This book answers that question and many, […]
Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt
The riveting story of a young transgender girl, her family, and their accidental activism in the trans-rights movement. Written for adults.