Whether your child has come out as transgender, is gender questioning, or you simply want to raise an ally, Transgender Visibility Day (March 31) is an opportunity to joyfully celebrate trans kids and adults.
Here are 10 of our favorite transgender books for kids that go beyond traditional stereotypes to support younger transgender kids—no matter where they are on the gender spectrum.
Written By
Jenna Gabrial Gallagher
Ages 2-4
Bunnybear by Andrea J. Loney
Bunnybear was born a bear but feels more like a bunny—which doesn’t go over too well with either the bears or the bunnies in his forest. Until he meets Grizzlybun, who also feels one way on the inside and looks another on the outside. With gentle humor and colorful illustrations, this book for young readers shows trans kids that being unique doesn’t have to mean being alone.
Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton
For very young trans kids and their siblings or friends, the story of Errol, who discovers that his boy teddy bear named Thomas is really a girl teddy bear named Tilly, is a sweet and accessible introduction to gender identity and the process of transitioning.
Everyone in the Land of This and That is either a bird or a bunny… except Neither, who has trouble fitting in. Anderson’s adorably rendered Neither eventually finds acceptance when they stumble upon The Land of All, where dogs have fish tails, bears have wings and everyone’s differences unite them.
They, She, He, Me: Free to Be! by Matthew and Maya
Early readers can grow up with this book: first following along with simple pronouns and illustrations of different gender presentations, then going a little deeper into the concept of gender fluidity. Every step along the way, kids are encouraged to explore how they want to express themselves and how to support the rights of others to do so.
With bright, silly illustrations for kids who are emoji-obsessed (i.e. all kids), this easy-reader runs the gamut of ways to be different that are okay: from eating macaroni and cheese in the bathtub to having different kinds of friends. Even kids who are not comfortable with “messagey” books will enjoy this one.
Phoenix Goes to School: A Story to Support Transgender and Gender Diverse Children, by Phoenix and Michelle Finch
Written by a mom and her gender nonconforming daughter, the story of how brave Phoenix overcomes anxiety about being bullied for her gender expression on the first day of school has a lighthearted message of empowerment for younger trans kids: “just be yourself and always listen to your heart.”
Many school-age transgender kids will identify with the frustration Red feels when well-meaning peers and adults keep trying to help him be red, even though he knows he’s blue. With the help of a new friend and a new perspective, Red is able to build enough confidence in his own self-knowledge to accept who he really is and make others accept it too.
Gender Now Coloring Book by Maya Christina Gonzalez
For trans kids and the adults who are helping them learn to embrace their gender identity, this collaborative activity book is full of information, history and ideas. This book is also often recommended for educators.
The story of Aidan, a Black and South Asian transgender kid who was born a girl but always knew he was “another kind of boy,” goes beyond finding acceptance to making sure that you are creating a world that will support and nurture others. With illustrations by Juanita Kaylani, this 2020 Stonewall Book Award Winner models beautiful ways that parents and siblings can make their home a space where trans kids will feel safe and accepted.
Based on a true story, as well as the documentary A Place in the Middle, this picture book explains how in traditional Hawaiian culture, there are three genders: wahine (women), kane (men), and māhū (“in the middle”), who were valued as healers, teachers and caregivers due to their embrace of male and female qualities. But when modern 11-year-old māhū Ho’Onani (she/her) wants to lead an all-boys hula troupe at her school, she has to overcome the misgivings of other children and adults to claim her place as a proud hula warrior. Watercolor and ink illustrations by Mika Song beautifully capture Ho’Onani’s courage and determination.
Jenna Gabrial Gallagher is a writer and editor who specializes in topics related to lifestyle and design, families, women entrepreneurs, travel and sustainability. She has three funny little girls.
