The Regina Children’s Library (RCL) lobby is filled with books about gender identity targeted at young children..There’s They, she, he, me: free to be by Maya Christina Gonzalez giving young children an understanding of the different pronouns used in gender diversity..“Pronouns serve as a familiar starting point for kids and grown-ups to expand ideas about gender and celebrate personal expression with fun imagery that provides a place to meet and play,” said the publisher..There’s the Pronoun book: she, he, they, and me by Cassandra Jules Corrigan that educates young children about gender diversity and proper pronoun etiquette..“A fun and beautifully illustrated book that celebrates gender diversity through educating young children on pronouns. The book teaches pronoun etiquette, why it is so important, and how it relates to us. It covers they/them pronouns, trans and non-binary identities, and neo-pronouns with a dedicated section for adults,” said the publisher. .For children slightly older, there’s You be you! The kid’s guide to gender, sexuality, and family by Jonathan Branfman that explains “gender identity, sexual orientation, and family diversity” to seven- to eleven-year-olds..“This is an illustrated children’s book for ages seven–11 that makes gender identity, sexual orientation, and family diversity easy to explain to children. Throughout the book, kids learn that there are many kinds of people in the world and that diversity is something to be celebrated,” said Amazon. .“It covers gender, romantic orientation, discrimination, intersectionality, privilege, and how to stand up for what’s right. With charming illustrations, clear explanations, and short sections that can be dipped in and out of, this book helps children think about how to create a kinder, more tolerant world.”.There’s the Llama Glamarama by Simon James Green about a Llama who discovers who he really is in the world..“When he stumbles upon the Llama Glamarama, a carnival of music and dancing, Larry, who marches to the beat of his own drum, finally finds the courage to be who he really wants to be,” said the publisher..A similar book to Llama Glamarama is Frockodile by Jeanne Willis, about a male crocodile who likes to wear dresses and how he tells his father. .“Cliff the crocodile wants to wear a dress. When the hyenas laugh at Cliff, he pretends he’s dressing up for a play. But no play exists! Luckily, his friend Freddy comes to the rescue and creates a show for Cliff to star in. But what will his Dad say when he sees him?” said the publisher..Felix likes to wear skirts and his parents help him understand himself in Felix’s new skirt by Kerstin Brichzin..“Felix likes to wear skirts. He thinks they’re fun, plus he likes the way his legs move in them. His family doesn’t mind, but that’s not the case for Felix’s classmates. Their merciless teasing makes him want to give up school for good. Can Felix’s parents come up with a way to validate Felix’s expression?” said the publisher..Hasan Namir’s picture book The Name I Call Myself is about a biological boy who goes on a gender identity journey from age six to becoming a teenager with a father who disapproves of his son playing with dolls and wanting to wear dresses..“A sweet and moving picture book depicting Ari’s gender journey from childhood to adolescence in order to discover who they really are. Meet Ari, a young person who doesn’t like to be called by their birth name Edward,” said the publisher..“Throughout this beautiful and engaging picture book, we watch Ari grow up before our very eyes as they navigate the ins and outs of their gender identity. We see how, as a child, they prefer dolls and princess movies, and want to grow out their hair, though their father insists on cutting it short because that’s ‘what a boy looks like.’” .“At ten, they play hockey but wish they could try on their mother’s dresses. At fifteen, they shave their body, hoping to have smooth skin like the girls. At sixteen, they want to run away, especially from their father, who insists, ‘You’re a boy, so you have to act like one.’ Who will Ari become? Moving from age six to adolescence, The Name I Call Myself touchingly depicts Edward’s tender, solitary gender journey to Ari — a new life distinguished and made.”.These books are just a few examples of gender identity books available through the RCL and the Saskatchewan Information and Library Services Consortium..“There are a few different displays in our children’s area at the moment and, yes, one of them is a display of children’s books for Pride month,” said Library Director and CEO Jeff Barber told the Western Standard..He was asked how popular the books were..“In answer to your question, yes, Auntie Uncle and Frockodile, are fairly popular books in our collection. The Pronoun Book is not currently in the display as it has been checked out,” said Barber..Barber clarified how the library picks what children’s books it carries and leaves it to parental discretion on what books are appropriate for each child..“Regina Public Library (RPL) acquires materials based on requests, popular, or trending subject matter, and to maintain a broadly based browsing collection for our customers. In the case of children’s materials, RPL encourages and understands that parents make choices about their children’s reading. Whether or not any of these books are appropriate for their children is entirely at the discretion of individual parents,” said Barber.
