My Own Way

January 1, 2022
Preschool-Grade 2 Reminiscent of Todd Parr, this gender-affirming picture book features childlike illustrations with people with a wide range of head and facial hair, clothing, and skin tones, from white and brown to pink and blue to purple and orange. "Girl or boy? / What brings you joy? / Pink or blue? / It's up to you." For young readers questioning their gender, including what colors to wear, how to style their hair, and what activities to play, the simple, rhyming, and reaffirming text emphasizes "You'll find your way!" Without using the term nonbinary, the text shifts to recognize that boy and girl may not describe everyone accurately; people can be both or none. A scene with identical bathrooms, except for gendered signs, reinforces this individual expression. For budding allies who may want to attach gender to people based on physical traits and activities, the text gently recommends that they let individuals tell their own stories and offers the best advice, "Just be as kind as you can." However children identify, this book offers support and acceptance.

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January 31, 2022
Estrela’s simple rhyming text reminds readers that “everyone has their own way” when considering personal identity, indicating that the most significant part of oneself is not appearance-based at all: “Boy or girl? None or both?// It’s your heart that matters most.” Snappy lines in an all-capitalized font bookend dynamic images of characters with mostly surreal skin colors partaking in everyday activities against textured monochrome backgrounds: eating ice cream, playing soccer, and more, all rendered in wax crayon and digitally in an eye-catching, contemporary art–reminiscent palette. “You can see the different faces,// but the rest is theirs to say,” one spread reads, portraying a grid of stamp-like faces with minimalist features and doodle-like hairstyles. Though the book largely uses binary pronouns when referencing individual figures, it’s a broadly encouraging guide to considering gender identity. Ages 3–6.

February 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 1-Estrela's first book aims to dismantle stereotypical pat answers to the question, "What is gender?" Many of the sentiments here can be universally endorsed ("It's your heart that matters most"), while others ("Boy or girl doesn't cover everyone. You might be both ... You might be none!") may feel too easy or facile for proper discussion. Simple digital and wax crayon illustrations resemble a child's drawings, with settings that are familiar-beach, stage, playing field-and colorful, as the emphasis on pink and blue gives way to yellow, green, and purple. Hulme, who is transgender, translated the very short text in rhyme; it focuses on enthusiastic assurances like, "You'll find your way." Although the admonition to "Be yourself, free and brave," might not be so easy in some circumstances, this book will be embraced by those who find support in its views. VERDICT Purchase where more titles are needed to expand collections about gender. An encouraging, cheerful introduction for younger children.-Patricia D. Lothrop

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