Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship

by Jessica Walton, Dougal MacPherson (Illustrator)

Overview

Introducing Teddy introduces the youngest readers to understanding gender identity and transition in an accessible and heart-warming story about being true to yourself and being a good friend.

Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together. Whether it's riding a bike, playing in the tree house, having a tea party, or all of the above, every day holds something fun to do.

One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas is sad, even when they are playing in their favorite ways. Errol can't figure out why, until Thomas finally tells Errol what the teddy has been afraid to say: "In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas." And Errol says, "I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681192109
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/31/2016
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	76,459
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Jessica Walton lives with her wife, son, and cats in Melbourne, Australia. She was inspired to write Introducing Teddy after her father transitioned into the woman she had always been on the inside, and Jess wanted to find a way to tell that story to her young son. A former secondary teacher, Jess is passionate about literature, board games, the ukulele, and funky prosthetic legs (her current one features green dragon scales). This is her first book.
www.facebook.com/introducingteddy

Dougal MacPherson once drew a truck on a rainy Sunday afternoon to entertain his young son. Since then, he has illustrated for tech websites and conferences and now, a children's book. Dougal lives with his wife, son, daughter and a cat called Monster, in Australia. He documents the antics of his family through fifteen-minute drawings in a popular Instagram account.
@15mindrawings

Editorial Reviews

02/29/2016
Errol’s teddy bear, Thomas, seems terribly sad—not even playing on the swing in the park helps. Finally, Thomas reveals why: “In my heart, I’ve always known that I’m a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas.” Errol doesn’t respond with confusion, anger, or even a speech about tolerance—he offers cheery, unconditional love (“What matters is that you are my friend”), and life goes on much as it did before—except that Tilly now wears what was once Thomas’s bow tie on her head. “Wear whatever makes you happy!” says Errol’s equally unfazed friend Ava. Debut author Walton, who has a transgender parent, posits a world that has moved beyond acceptance to essentially “no biggie.” Whether being this far ahead of the curve does justice to the transgender experience is debatable, though the book’s spirit of easygoing openness makes it a worthwhile resource. Debut artist MacPherson’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations are striking for their emotional immediacy and compositional polish, and he effortlessly moves from the poignancy of the opening pages to breezy good times. Ages 3–6. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Walton gently explains Tilly's gender, which is a small ripple in the lives of children at play, and subtly pokes at gender roles with Errol's tea parties and Ava's robot building. MacPherson's illustrations are sweet, with a sketchy, contemporary style. . . . This book beautifully changes the narrative of gender and gender roles, but fair warning—the hug scene might bring a tear or two." - starred review, Kirkus Reviews

"The book’s spirit of easygoing openness makes it a worthwhile resource. Debut artist MacPherson’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations are striking for their emotional immediacy and compositional polish, and he effortlessly moves from the poignancy of the opening pages to breezy good times." - Publishers Weekly

"Walton’s matter-of-fact exploration of gender doesn’t get into any particulars, focusing instead on the importance of friendship and respect. The final pages, during which Tilly and Errol do exactly the same things they did before, reassure kiddos that changing gender won’t change who a person (or bear) fundamentally is ideal for the target audience. A useful resource for adults broaching conversations about transgender issues with little ones." - Booklist

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