Recommended Children's Books

Books That Teach Children That They Were Born in the Right Body

The following list is included in my resource book: A Practical Response to Gender Distress: Tips and Tools for Families, available on Amazon.

1. Always Erin (2021) by Erin Brewer, illustrated by Maria Keffler of Advocates Protecting Children. 29 pages.

   

   When Erin was a very little girl, two men hurt her. She thought that she got hurt because she was a girl, and if she became a boy, she would never be hurt like that again. But with the help of some wise and supportive adults, Erin learned that hurts can happen to anyone. She learned how to love herself as a girl again, and to know that no matter what, she was Always Erin.

2. Being Jo: A Graphic Novel of Desistance (2024) by Jo and Tal Croitoru and illustrated by Tut Blumenthal (graphic novel for teens) 73 pages.

   

   Jo felt like a boy from the age of 5. Now, at 23, a crossroads has been reached and a choice must be made. What happens when a childhood dream meets with reality? This graphic novel is based on Jo's own true life story.

3. Elephants are not Birds (2023) by Ashley St. Clair and Brave Books 4-8 years, 48 pages.

   

   A Christian, Conservative children's book that tackles the topic of gender identity. In the book, children will learn that boys are not girls, and Elephants Are Not Birds.

4. Everybody Wonderfully Made: God’s Good Plan for Boys and Girls (coming September 2024) by Courtney Seibring, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich with Paraclette Press.

   

   Boy or girl? Tall or short? Every Body Wonderfully Made shows how every detail was planned with purpose by our loving Creator. "You are great, God, and my body is, too! Help me use it for goodness, beauty, and truth." 

5. I Don’t Want to be a Frog (2018) 32 pages by Dev Petty and Mike Bolt, Ages 2-5.

   

   Frog wants to be anything but a slimy, wet frog. A cat, perhaps. Or a rabbit. An owl? But when a hungry wolf arrives—a wolf who HATES eating frogs—our hero decides that being himself isn’t so bad after all. In this very silly story with a sly message, told in hilarious dialogue between a feisty young frog and his heard-it-all-before father, young readers will identify with little Frog’s desire to be something different, while laughing along at his stubborn yet endearing schemes to prove himself right.

6. Johnny the Walrus (2022) by Matt Walsh, illustrated by K Reece. Daily Wire Books, 30 pages.

   

   Johnny is a little boy with a big imagination. One day he pretends to be a big scary dinosaur, the next day he’s a knight in shining armor or a playful puppy. But when the internet people find out Johnny likes to make-believe, he’s forced to make a decision between the little boy he is and the things he pretends to be — and he’s not allowed to change his mind. 

7. M by Yulia Ellis. (2023) Good Seeds Publishing. 40 pages.

   

   It’s the story about letter M, who woke up one morning grumpy. Everything around him was annoying and boring so he decided that being the letter M was the only reason which could be making him so Miserable. So he decided to change his life and to become another letter, which he thought, for sure will make him happier. But what will happen with him and the world around after he takes the scissors “snip-snip”? Will he become happier? Let’s just imagine the world without letter M in the alphabet. Oops! We can not even I_AGINE because there is no letter M anymore.

8. The Mixed Up Chameleon (1984) by Eric Carle, 32 pages. Ages 2-4.

   

   There once was a small green chameleon that wished to be handsome like a flamingo, smart like a fox, and funny like a seal. But with each transformation in size, shape, and color, the chameleon learns that maybe being yourself is best of all!

9. My Body is Me (2024) by Rachel Rooney and Jessica Ahlberg, 3-6 years.

   

   My Body is Me is an upbeat, rhyming picture book written in consultation with TransgenderTrend. It introduces children to the workings of the human body, and celebrates similarities and differences while challenging sex stereotypes. It also aims to promote a positive self-image and foster self-care skills. The text is inclusive for children with physical or sensory disabilities.

10. No More Secrets: The Candy Cavern (2023) by Chaya Raichik and Brave Books. 4-8 years old, 40 pages.

    

    Rose the Lamb was so excited to begin second grade. But when her new teacher focused more on candy than teaching, Rose knew that something was wrong. Rose must decide whether to keep secrets from her parents or to listen to her teacher. Join Rose in this sugary story as she learns to listen and trust her parents when she gets into a sticky situation.

11. She is She (2023) Also available, He is He, by Bethany and Ryan Bomberger. Illustrated by Ed Koehler, ages 2-8 years, 48 pages.

    

    SHE IS SHE is a ground-breaking children’s book (for kids 2-8 years of age) by wife/husband duo Bethany and Ryan Bomberger, that explores what it means to be female…and love it! Through rhyme and super cute illustrations the book creatively celebrates being a girl. SHE IS SHE is all about beautiful, undeniable, biological her.

12. Tizzy The Tomboy (2024) by Vivianna Thomas. 24 pages.

    

    Tizzy the Tomboy represents any young girl who has ever felt out of place or uncomfortable in her own body. She is a reminder to all of us that being different is okay and completely normal. Vivianna hopes that this series will inspire, comfort, and boost the confidence of any young girl who has ever been a tomboy.

    Save the tomboys!

13. What Makes A Dog a Dog, (2023) by Tal Croitoru, 24 pages (available in a boy or girl version) Also available for free download on Reality Based Publishing.

    

    The book is based on ideas from an American psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Levine, who has fifty years of experience in treating gender dysphoria. What the specialist said is that children naturally have a very simple and childlike perception of what it means to be a boy or a girl, and based on this, they categorize themselves into a "box". The goal of this book is to help young children expand their perspective proactively.

    

    Pamela Garfield-Jaeger is a licensed clinical social worker. She has over 20 years of experience in schools, group homes, hospitals and community-based organizations. Pamela has dedicated herself to empower parents and embolden other mental health professionals to challenge the ideological capture of her profession.

    Pamela is the author of A Practical Response to Gender Distress. Review by Genspect. She has a new children’s book coming soon!