Book Review – ABC of Gender Identity

ABC of Gender Identity by Devika Dalal

Publication Date: 21st June 2021

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Genre: Childrens, Picture book, LGBTQAI+

Format: picture book

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Publisher’s Synopsis

A is for Agender, B is for Bigender and C is for Cisgender. Welcome to the ABC of Gender Identity! This bright and playful A – Z introduces young readers to 26 gender identities to help raise awareness and acceptance of different genders. Gender identity is an important part of who we are, and how we express ourselves in the world, and this book aims to help children better understand themselves and those around them. With simple explanations, a helpful guide for adults, and a diverse cast of illustrated characters, this is the perfect book for exploring diversity, acceptance and equality with children age 5+.

My Thoughts

Thank you to Netgalley and Devika Dalal for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book by the beautiful illustrations and colour on the cover, as well as its important message for young children. In my day job as a MFL teacher, I often get asked questions about gender and how language related to people who identify as non-binary which goes to show just how central this question is to young people today.

This book contained beautiful illustrations which were racially diverse, along with simple explanations of what these gender identity terms mean. It was extremely child friendly and there was also a very helpful guide for parents at the back about how to conduct discussions about gender identity with your child.

Many of these terms were new to me as well, so even as an adult I feel as though I have learned something. The parents’ guide at the back tackles the issue of defining gender, identity and sex, but I feel that this could also be explained in a child friendly way. Because of the complexities of this issue, I think it would be important to start portraying that to children as some parents might still be a little unsure on how to explain this succinctly and comprehensibly for a young child.

Nevertheless, this book makes a wonderful introduction to young children about the differences between gender identity terms and I can easily see this on a child’s bookshelf or in a primary school library as part of their SRE curriculum.