MY GENDER, MY RULES

Passchier offers an exploration of gender for the youngest of readers.

Each spread in this colorful picture book explores a different aspect of gender before ending with the titular refrain, sending the message that kids should feel unconstrained by gender norms. On a page discussing common terms, a group of kids and adults paint a mural with words such as nonbinary and trans while sharing their own thoughts: “I feel like a boy.” “I call myself genderqueer.” “None of these words feel right just yet.” The ensemble discuss pronouns at a Drag Queen Story Hour, learn about gender expression while visiting a salon (“I love my hair short”; “My bright lipstick highlights smile”), and emphasize that there’s no set timeline for figuring out one’s gender: “I changed [my pronouns] a few years ago,” says one elder to another. Laudably, Passchier notes that all feelings and emotional expressions, even those stereotypically associated with a particular gender, are natural—something not often seen in similar books on this topic. “I feel sad today,” says a weepy male-presenting child. “I’m mad!” says a female-presenting, ponytailed youngster. Passchier’s chipper cartoon art depicts a cast diverse in skin tone, hair texture, ability, body type, age, religion, and gender expression.

A thoughtful and accessible introduction.