THE PRONOUN BOOK

This picture-book guide introduces the concepts of pronouns, gender identity, and sex traits through the instruction of two narrator characters.

Welcoming readers with smiles and waves, Ellie, a Black child, and her friend Casey, a White teen, jump into a back-and-forth lesson about pronouns. After presenting the basics of what a pronoun is and examples of how to use one, they explain the traditional role of pronouns to indicate a male or female “biological sex.” Their conversation shifts into gender identity, providing definitions for “cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, and several other identities that fall under the umbrella of nonbinary. Although Ellie and Casey start with a binary foundation, they explore alternative singular pronouns, including they/them/theirs and neo-pronouns such as fae and xe and their different forms. Presented entirely through dialogue (often in speech bubbles), their guidance makes an important distinction between gender identity and pronouns, noting that anyone can use any pronouns, with encouragement to try out whichever pronouns feel good. Along with Casey and Ellie, diversely illustrated characters demonstrate etiquette, including how to ask someone’s pronouns or how to react after accidentally misgendering someone. Despite these strengths, the book falters in its consideration of intersex people. The definition of intersex appears out of place on the same page with neo-pronouns rather than during the discussion about sex. Additionally, the language that explains sex falls short in comparison to the rest of the sensitive standard of education in this guide. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A useful conversation starter.