104 Trans Children's Books Found in the Montgomery County Libraries
104 Trans Children's Books Found in the Montgomery County Libraries
What are you going to do about it?
Edit: We have since updated the list to include the chapter books and additional picture books. You can find the newest list here.
Before our first story hour, we knew that there are some trans books in the children’s section of the libraries. Books that encourage children to consider a different gender. We thought there were a few, and we began to research. When we learned that we may be able to get The Brave Books into the library, this research took a back burner for a bit. We warned parents to be vigilant, and focused on getting the Brave Books in.
Since getting the Brave Books in, we resumed our research and we have been astounded by what we have found. We have found children’s books encouraging children to choose pronouns that feel right from day to day and choose from an array of genders. We have found picture books about kids transitioning from girl to boy and from boy to girl, cross dressing books, children’s books explaining what “asexual” means. It’s been surprising to say the least.
We have found 36 different books so far, and we are sure there are more. (For this post we are only including the count in the children’s section. The young adult section is overwhelming.) Of these books, there are 104 copies distributed to the 7 libraries across Montgomery County. Statistically, this seems off, but we aren’t the experts.
We will begin listing the books on this post. We wanted to list everything we found right away, but we realized that this is going to be a BIG project that is going to take a long time. Unless there are some serious library policy changes, this list will be ever growing and never complete. Also, not all of the books we have found have already been reviewed by conservative sources, and we would like to lay hands on them and take a look ourselves before we share them.
A word about “award winning” and our culture’s obsession with “experts.”
Libraries worship at the altar of “award winning.” In fact, when I have sat down with librarians to discuss my lists, if I mentioned a certain book I would hear a *gasp* and, “That is an award winning book,” in a tone that says, how dare you mention this book in any context except awe and adoration??? I’m sorry, not sorry, I stepped on your idol, but award winning obviously doesn’t mean “safe for children.”
Our recommendations going forward:
Do all books belong in the libraries? This is a good question that we have grappled with. Our libraries have a lot of questionable books like, Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler, and The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx. The difference here is that these books are in the ADULT section. If we had a children’s book recommending these beliefs, I think there would be a public outcry.
We believe books that could potentially be damaging to children should be moved to the adult section. Parents who want their children to read these books, can check them out for their kids.
If this is not possible, these books should be placed on a high shelf and labeled so that kids cannot reach them. Parents can get them down from the shelf for their kids. An alternative to this is the books could be kept behind the librarian’s desk and brought out upon request.
At the very least, each of these books should be labeled so parents know what their kids are getting into, especially if the kids are independent readers.
What makes these books different?
These gender books are different from the LGB picture books. In a gay picture book, there is typically a charming story that has nothing to do with the LGBT agenda. In the book, the author gives the main character two moms or two dads or a gay aunt, but nothing is discussed beyond that. These books allow children in the community to see their lives reflected through books.
This is not the case with the gender books. With the gender books the story is typically told by a child explaining how to think about sex and gender. There is typically not a charming story, but the plot surrounds this tension of gender, pronouns and transitioning. This should be concerning.
Balancing the library.
Regardless of all of these recommendations, the library policy requires the subject to be balanced. There is only ONE book in the children’s section that balances the very subtle books like, Itty-Bitty Kitty Corn. The book I am referring to is called, Elephant’s Are Not Birds by Ashley St. Claire, which is a Brave Book that was placed in May with the other Brave Books. This is a step in the right direction; however, we need balance for the other, more direct books.
Our recommendation for the more direct books is a book called, God Made Boys and Girls, Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender by Marty Machowski. This well-done book details biblical truth and scientific reason, even going over xx and xy chromosomes. We have suggested the library administration purchase this book for every children’s section in every library in Montgomery County, however, there was no interest in doing this. We were told there would be a search for comparable books meeting the library’s requirements (Kirkus and Weekly Review approves) to place in the children’s section, but after two months, nothing.
Books showing traditional families in traditional gender roles, like Beverly Cleary books, are NOT balance. The gender books we have found are instructing children in gender confusion. The balance is books that instruct on biological gender.
We also recommended Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shirer be placed in every single library in Montgomery County. This book is an adult book written for parents, but given the extensive collection of books encouraging or highlighting transitions throughout the library, this is a more than reasonable ask. (If you are unfamiliar with Irreversible Revolution, you can find an excellent video with a general explanation here.)
How do we accomplish these recommendations? We accomplish these changes by challenging the books with a reconsideration form.
Challenging, how does this work?
We are going to be learning right alongside you as we continue to research challenging.
First, challenging is quite expensive for the library. Who cares? We all care because we would rather our tax dollars pay for books! Your challenge goes to the reconsideration board, which consists of 10 people, 5 librarians and 5 citizens appointed by our commissioners and county judge. Each person on this board receives a new copy of the book to read during the challenge process. Then after the process, what happens to those books? Are they donated to the LIBRARY?? We don’t know but would rather the county pay for as few of these books as possible. (Edit: We recently learned that this is not the case. We are more alarmed that the reconsideration board is NOT given books to read. Are they encouraged to read the books at all? We will try to find out!)
Also, items can only be submitted for reconsideration once every 12 months. (Edit: Each book can only be REVIEWED once a year. So if you submit a book for reconsideration and it’s already been reviewed this year, you will have to WAIT. Please hold-your-horses and submit reconsideration forms TOGETHER.) We think it would be wise to learn from one challenge before moving on to the next. Nor do we not want to overwhelm the board with challenges of too many books at once. We want them to read the books carefully, especially the chapter books.
When filling out the form, we recommend you refer to page numbers and paragraphs when referring to specific passages so the review board members can easily find the passages and see them for themselves. Make it as easy as possible for them.
Please include any and all of our recommendations that you agree with:
Moving to the adult section
Moving to a high shelf with a label
Moving behind the librarian’s desk
Labeling with a controversial materials label
Balancing with books like God Made Girl’s and Boys and Irreversible Damage
The Reconsideration Form
You can download the reconsideration form here. You can also visit any library in Montgomery County and ask for a reconsideration form at a help desk. You can take it home, or fill it out there at the library, and turn it in to the librarian. If you haven’t read the book, please take a look at it at a library that has the book. If you don’t check it out, please put it back EXACTLY how you found it. A reshelve is counted as a checkout.
But there are so many books!
When the amazing parents working to clean up the CISD libraries were challenging books, and they won several of their first challenges, the administrators preemptively removed more than FIFTY books voluntarily. This is our hope, that we won’t have to challenge all of the books.
What if I lose?
We don’t believe you will. Even if you lose the first challenge, we will learn and regroup.
We suspect that there may be a better shot at winning challenges this year because the reconsideration committee members are not the same volunteers as before.
There is an appeal process if you lose a challenge. We don’t know a lot about it, but we think each challenger should pursue it. Please act fast, we are told you will have ten days after denial. (Edit: this was not correct information. There is not an appeal process.)
What else?
We started here, in the children’s section, with the picture books, because these are the most vulnerable members of our society. We MUST protect the young children.
We do plan to look at the young adult section.
In order to really make change, we are going to need significant public outcry. That means, doing something. You are going to need to download the challenge form, fill it out, and turn it in at your library, or take it directly to Central Library because that is where it is ultimately going.
Any citizen residing in Montgomery County can challenge books.
Call your commissioner and voice your concerns WITH recommendations for change. What would you like to see happen? Please share with him. Find your commissioner on the following map:
Welcome to Montgomery County, Texas (mctx.org)
UPDATE: We have since published a more complete book list, which can be found here.
The first book we recommend challenging:
Pink, Blue and You! : questions for kids about gender stereotypes by Elise Gravel with Mykaell Blais
Catalogue link for copies on order.
First copy placed September 26, 2022
Book Summary: This book teaches very young children about alternate genders and pronouns. This book is very detailed and thorough propaganda confusing children who are learning to categorize the world around them. At the end of the book, the author seems to imply that those who don’t respect pronouns do not want everyone to be safe.
Children’s Picture Books - Pink Blue and You.pdf (booklooks.org)
The reconsideration form asks if you have read any reviews, so we found a thorough, well done conservative book review for you: The New Philippics link
The following links are reviews from the preferred (by the library) literary journals:
PINK, BLUE, AND YOU! | Kirkus Reviews
Pink, Blue, and You! | School Library Journal (slj.com)
1 copy can be found at Mitchell Library – West Woodlands.
2 additional copies are on order to be placed at South Regional Library – The Woodlands and Central Library – Conroe.
The list:
The BookLooks.org links are to a helpful conservative website that provides reviews of the books with ratings according to graphic content. Not every book we have found has a BookLook.org review. Most Summaries were taken directly from BookLooks.org. Thank you BookLooks.org for this effort.
Each book title is linked to the card catalogue.
* Indicates very subtle
Bodies Are Cool! By Tyler Feder
First copy placed in August 2022
Book Summary: Teaches very young children about what different people look like. This book shows various types of differences including zipper scars, prosthetics/ limb differences, and bodies of all shapes and sizes.
Summary of Concerns: There are several men dressed as women with the obvious bulge. Some people are shown in bathing suits who do not shave, and pubic hair is shown. Several transgendered individuals are shown with top surgery scars. These are also differences we need to discuss.
Children’s Picture Book - Bodies are cool.pdf (booklooks.org)
7 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery (2 copies), RB Tullis Library – New Caney, RF Meador Library – Willis, Malcolm Purvis Library – Magnolia
Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford
First copy placed July 12, 2022
A very young girl tells her family she is transgender, and her family supports and encourages her. She cuts her hair, chooses a boy name, gets all new boy identifying clothing. Calvin comes out to her extended family and eventually attends school as a boy.
Children’s Picture Book - Calvin.pdf (booklooks.org)
3 copies: Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery,
The Deep & Dark Blue by Nikki Smith
First copy placed January 28, 2020
Book Summary: Twin brothers flee their home to a women's covenant in fear of assassination. In hiding the brothers dress as girls to avoid detection and during this time one of the brothers realizes he is a girl.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies and violence.
Children’s fiction, graphic novel - The Deep and Dark Blue.pdf (booklooks.org)
Central Library – Conroe,
6 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery, RB Tullis Library – New Caney, Malcolm Purvis Library – Magnolia,
Fred Gets Dressed by Peter Brown
First copy placed February 28, 2022
A very young boy runs around nude until he decides to dress-up like a girl.
Children’s Picture Book - Fred Gets Dressed.pdf (booklooks.org)
4 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, RF Meador Library – Willis, RB Tullis Library – New Caney, Central Library – Conroe,
*Red : a crayon's story by Michael Hall
Book Summary: A red crayon keeps drawing in blue, until finally accepted for its true identity. This book is read as being about trans though it’s not certain that was Hall’s intention. On most LGBT booklists including No Outsiders, Educate & Celebrate, and Stonewall.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains references to dysmorphia.
Children’s Picture Book - Red a crayons story.pdf (booklooks.org)
5 copies + 1 on order: Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery, RF Meador Library – Willis, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands (on order)
Ho’Onani Hula Warrior by Heather Gale
Book Summary: A young Hawaiian girl finds herself as a hula warrior after telling her family she is both female and male.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies.
Children’s Picture Book - Hoonani Hula Warrior.pdf (booklooks.org)
3 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney, Central Library – Conroe
It feels good to be yourself: a book about gender identity by Theresa Thorn
First copy placed in February of 2021
Book Summary: Teaches very young children alternate gender ideologies and terms such as transgender, cisgender, non-binary and others.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies and alternate sexualities.
Children’s Picture Book - It feels good to be yourself.pdf (booklooks.org)
3 copies: Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
*Itty-Bitty Kitty Corn by Shannon Hale and Leuyen Pham
Book Summary: A kitten believes it's really a unicorn and becomes friends with a unicorn that calls itself a kitty-corn.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains dysmorphic content without connection to imagination.
Children’s Picture Book - Itty Bitty Kitty Corn.pdf (booklooks.org)
4 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery, RF Meador Library – Willis
Jacob’s School Play: Starring he, she, and they by Ian Hoffman
First copy placed April 15, 2022
Book Summary: Jacob’s class is preparing for a school play, when Ari shares that he doesn’t go by “he” but by “they.” The teacher explains to the confused classmate that not everyone is comfortable with “he” or “she.”
Children’s Picture Book - This book has not been reviewed by BookLooks.
3 copies: Central Library – Conroe, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery,
Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
First copy placed May of 2018
Book Summary: A very young boy sees mermaids on a bus and wants to dress like them. His grandmother encourages him and takes him to a mermaid event saying they are like him. (The mermaid is symbolic for transgender.)
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies
Children’s Picture Books - Julian is a Mermaid.pdf (booklooks.org)
4 copies: Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, CB Stewart Library – Montgomery
Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love
Book Summary: Julian and his cousin Marisol are in a wedding with two brides. Julian is dressed femininely, and Marisol gives him her flower crown to wear.
Children’s Picture Books - This book has not yet been reviewed by BookLooks.
3 copies: Central Library – Conroe, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RF Meador Library – Willis
Payden’s Pronoun Party by Blue Jaryn
First copy placed December 6, 2022
Book Summary: Payden expresses that he isn’t sure if he/him pronouns are right for him. He speaks to various people around town, a vet, a painter, about why they chose their pronouns. Each person seems to have a different set of pronouns including he, she, they, and ze. His parents throw a party and he and all his friends wear their pronouns like a name tag for the party.
Children’s Picture Books - This book has not yet been reviewed by BookLooks.
3 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney, Central Library – Conroe (This copy was recently placed this spring.)
Rainbow Boy by Taylor Rouanzion
Book Summary: This book is a discussion of different colors for young children learning their colors. The main character is a boy who likes to dress in girl clothes and in several of the color schemes he chooses “girly” outfits to wear and play in.
Summary of Concerns: Cross dressing. The author’s bio seems to indicate this book was written to be supportive of the transgendered community.
Children’s Picture Books - This book has not yet been reviewed by BookLooks.
1 copy: Central Library – Conroe
What Riley Wore by Elana Arnold
This book was first placed May 27, 2021
This book is very subtle. At the end, when asked whether he is a girl or a boy and he his answers that he is a lot of different things. It is never clear through the book if Riley is a girl or a boy.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains depictions of alternate gender ideologies.
Children’s Picture Books - what riley wore.pdf (booklooks.org)
2 copies: Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, Central Library – Conroe
What are Your Words: a Book About Pronouns by Katherine Locke and Anne Passchier
This book is about a little boy with a transgender Uncle who encourages him to explore the pronouns that “feel right” to him. The little boy becomes worried and stressed about finding the “right words” and he works through these feelings. This book is a realistic take on the stress we put kids through with this ideology.
Children’s Picture book in the non-fiction section- What are your words.pdf (booklooks.org)
2 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
When Aidan became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff
This book was first placed December 13, 2019
Aidan, a transgender boy, experiences complicated emotions as he and his parents prepare for the arrival of a new baby. The reader is shamed for asking pregnant women if they are having a boy or a girl. This is insensitive to the child who was born a girl but transitioned into a boy.
Children’s Picture Books - When Aidan Became a Brother.pdf (booklooks.org)
3 copies: South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
My Maddy by Gayle E. Pitman
Not feeling like a “mom” or a “dad” this parent has her daughter call her “Maddy.” The book walks through various common things like a sunrise, discussing how it’s not night or day it’s in-between, inferring she is like the sunrise, neither boy or girl. Maddy has long hair, but her face is like sandpaper.
Children’s Picture Books - My Maddy.pdf (booklooks.org)
1 copy: Central Library – Conroe