My Dad Thinks I'm a Boy?!: A Trans Positive Children's Book

by Sophie Labelle

Overview

'My Dad thinks I'm a boy named Stephen who likes wrestling and fishing. But that's what my Dad likes.'

Stephie is 7 years old. She likes bugs, books and spaghetti. Also, she's a girl... which should be pretty easy to understand, right? Well, not for her Dad! He's been mistaking her for a boy since she was born and struggles to see her for who she is.

This powerful and uplifting book for children aged 6 - 9 and their families humorously portrays a situation that is often too common, where a trans child is forced to negotiate between their true self and their parents' love.

With amusing illustrations, and a useful guide for adults, it's the perfect book to help show children that no one else than ourselves gets to decide who we are.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787752214
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	02/21/2020
Edition description:	Illustrate
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	796,965
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Sophie Labelle is an internationally recognised trans cartoonist and public speaker, based in Montreal, Canada. Sophie has a huge following due to their popular webcomic Assigned Male and has been invited to give talks and lectures in more than 15 countries and 150 universities. http://assignedmale.tumblr.com/

Table of Contents

Story; Resources

Editorial Reviews

A powerful, authentic and engaging story that shifts our understanding of trans kids to a new and a more real level. This book is a breath of fresh air, that allows the reader to get to know trans people from their own perspective. Often our stories are told from people from the outside looking in, but Sophie cleverly manages to shift that focus to the trans person and their experiences, which gives the story more authenticity, realness and power.

Owl (Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir)

Sophie Labelle's My Dad Thinks I'm A Boy is a hilarious, tender, zany, and thoughtful story about growing up with a parent who doesn't always understand you. Readers will laugh, cry, and learn along with Stephie as she tries to help her dad see her for who she truly is.

Kai Cheng Thom

02/28/2020

Gr 1–4—Stephie addresses readers directly with the story of her dad's inability to understand that she is a girl. Her dad takes her to fishing holes and to wrestling matches for "father-and-son activities." Her dad actually has a tantrum and is pictured banging on the costume store's floor crying when Stephie wants to be a space sorceress for Halloween. Another illustration shows Stephie's parents standing by her casket weeping, "because my dad feels like his son named Stephen died when I told them I was actually their daughter." Stephie still loves her dad, but she wishes he would be supportive. The cartoonish artwork is similar to Raina Telgemier's style, and the childish font is bolded or changes color to emphasize certain words. While the book successfully sends the message that being transgender is perfectly fine, its stereotypical portrayal of the mother being immediately accepting and the father being skeptical and stubborn is an unfortunate flaw. Discussion questions, examples of gendered toys and clothing, and further reading suggestions are listed at the end of the book.VERDICT This is a meager and didactic story featuring a transgender girl whose father cannot accept her as a daughter. Choose instead some excellent transgender and gender nonbinary books for young readers such as When Aidan Became a Brother and Tutus Aren't My Style.—Elaine Fultz, Oakwood City Schools, Dayton, OH

School Library Journal

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