Children's Book List Promoting Dysmorphic Content and Alternate Gender Ideologies - In our Libraries
Children's Book List Promoting Dysmorphic Content and Alternate Gender Ideologies - In our Libraries
Do you live in Montgomery County? You can find these books in your local library. Your kids might even pick one up without your realizing.
Note About Challenges:
Before we begin, let’s review the reconsideration strategy. We are choosing specific books to reconsider as a community together. These books are marked in this list, and you can go back in the substack and find detailed reviews of two of the books. Two more reviews are coming soon.
Please do not jump-the-gun and challenge additional books. Each book can only be reviewed ONE TIME A YEAR, so when you do that, you are not allowing others to have the opportunity to make their argument. By challenging TOGETHER, we can all make our unique arguments for the board to consider at once. This will strengthen our chances of getting changes made. Thank you so much.
A list is a list
So here is the thing about lists, they are never finished. Every time we pull up another book list from another organization, we find MORE books. We search keywords and authors, and we find MORE books. The list will never be done as long as the library policy stays the same.
Without further ado….
Children’s Chapter Books
We will start with the children's chapter books because many of these books are being picked up by very young independent readers, and these books are not always easy to identify, looking like any other children's chapter book.
The Antiracist Kid by By Tiffany Jewell
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies; controversial historical, racial, and cultural commentary; and alternate sexualities.
Children’s non-fiction - The antiracist kid.pdf (booklooks.org)
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands
Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff First copy placed May 24,2022
A girl meets a new non-binary friend at school and begins to question her identity. She finds out her dad is trans and was actually the one who gave birth to her. Lots of discussion about trans and LGBTQIA2+ identity in this one.
Children’s fiction, chapter book - not yet reviewed by BookLooks.org
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
George (Now named Melissa) by Alex Gino
First copy placed 11/30/2018
This book contains alternate gender ideologies and transitioning; sexuality; non-sexual nudity; and sexual activities.
Children’s fiction, chapter book - George.pdf (booklooks.org)
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
Hazel’s Theory of Evolution – Lisa Jenn Bigelow
Main Character is Asexual. We do not believe children should be exposed to the possibility of being “asexual” before they have even reached puberty. A young child should not feel any concern with sexual attraction at all.
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
Jo’s father is very worried about Jo going out in public dressed as a girl, not because he is worried about his son making the right choice for himself, but because the dad is worried about what other people will think. This book portrays, as is a common portrayal, that parents who are concerned are doing so out of homophobia. The most common concern for parents is more likely out of concern that their children are encouraged to make irreversible changes to their bodies.
Children’s Chapter Book - This book has not be reviewed by BookLooks
Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
CHALLENGE IN PROGRESS The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey
Voice your concerns: Click here for a link to the challenge form. Please turn the form in with your local library. Your librarian will send the form the Central Library in Conroe. Find a sample reconsideration form here!
Shane was born a girl and is transitioning into a boy. Mom is supportive, Dad is not. Shane has been living as a boy in LA, after moving from San Francisco and being born a girl is a big secret. This book, written for children as young as 3rd grade, references self-harm and cutting.
Children’s chapter book - Not yet reviewed by BookLooks.
CB Stewart Library – Montgomery
The Pants Project by Cat Clarke
First copy placed 2017
Book Summary: A young girl attempts to get her school's uniform policy changed because she believes she's really a boy.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies; alternate sexualities; controversial social commentary; and hate.
Children’s fiction, chapter book - The pants project.pdf (booklooks.org)
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
Rick by Alex Gino
First copy placed June 2020
Book Summary: An eleven-year old boy joins his school's Rainbow Spectrum club and decides that he is unsure of his sexuality. A large swath of this book is discussions between children in the club about sexuality and pronouns. The main character comes home and discusses what he is learning with his grandfather who comes out to him as transgendered.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies; alternate sexualities; mild hate involving sexuality.
Children’s fiction, chapter book - Rick.pdf (booklooks.org)
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
This is our Rainbow: 16 stories of her, him, them, and us by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby
This book was first placed December 22, 2022
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate sexualities; inexplicit sexual activities; inexplicit sexual nudity; mild profanity; alternate gender ideologies; and controversial social and racial commentary
Children’s Fiction - This is Our Rainbow.pdf (booklooks.org)
Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff
This book was first placed June 25, 2021
This book contains sexuality; and alternate gender ideologies. The last 30 pages is basically instructions on how to transition and get your school to go along with it. Also, this book as most do, perpetuate the lie that transitioning will solve all your adolescent problems and discomfort.
Children’s fiction, chapter book - Too Bright to See.pdf (booklooks.org)
This book is in all seven Montgomery county libraries.
Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Social Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood
Summary of Concerns: This book contains controversial social and racial commentary; alternate sexualities; and alternate gender ideologies.
Children’s non-fiction book of poetry - woke.pdf (booklooks.org)
RB Tullis Library – New Caney, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Central Library – Conroe
New copy being catalogued - Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
Children’s Graphic Novels
CardBoard Kingdom by Chad Sell
Kids play make believe. One boy is a sorcerous and identifies as a girl. “She’s who I want to be.”
Children’s Graphic Novel - Not yet on Book Looks.
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands (6 copies), RB Tullis Library – New Caney (2 copies), Malcolm Purvis Library – Magnolia
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,
Speak UP by Rebecca Burgess
Placed recently: 11/22/2022
This book is subtle. There is a rainbow and trans visual theme throughout this graphic novel. While trans identity is not discussed, the supporting character goes by they/them pronouns. The main theme of the book is positive. The main character coming to terms with having autism and being different.
Children’s graphic novel - not yet reviewed by BookLooks
Central Library – Conroe, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
Book Summary: A teenage boy solves the mystery of the other missing boys in his school while trying to figure out whether he has "female magic" called witchery, "male magic" called shapeshifting, or both. (This book is very subtle.)
Summary of Concerns: This book contains mild violence and alternate gender ideologies.
Children’s Graphic Novel the Witch Boy.pdf (booklooks.org)
Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney, Central Library – Conroe
Children’s Picture Books
* indicates this book is abstract with very subtle messaging.
An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing
Book Summary: This book teaches very young children terms involving race, alternate gender ideologies, sexuality, and others.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies; alternate sexualities; and references to xenophobia.
Children’s Board Book - An Abc of equality.pdf (booklooks.org)
Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library – New Caney
Ballet Kids by Holly Sterling (cross dressing)
Book Summary: A very young boy plays the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in his ballet class performance.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains alternate gender ideologies.
Ballet KIds.pdf (booklooks.org)
Being catalogued 6/2023
Malcolm Purvis Library – Magnolia, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands, Central Library – Conroe
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
Fred Gets Dressed by Peter Brown (cross dressing)
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
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
*I’m a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
Book Summary: A young calf comes to believe it’s really a unicorn after reading about them and speaking with real unicorns who affirm the calf’s belief.
Summary of Concerns: This book contains references to dysmorphia.
Children’s Picture book - Im a Unicorn.pdf (booklooks.org)
Placed 6/2023 - South Regional Library – The Woodlands
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
Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu
From the inside flap: Long ago, four dual male and female spirits traveled from Tahiti to Hawaii. The name of their leader was Kapaemahu. They brought with them their gentle ways, miraculous cures, and healing arts.
In the back of the book the author explains: “I am also mahu, which like many Indigenous third-gender identities, was once respected but now more of a target for hatred and discrimination. I want our young people to understand that the ability to embrace both male and female aspects of their spirit is not a weakness but a strength…”
Children’s picture book
South Regional Library - The Woodlands, Central Library – Conroe, CB Stewart Library - Montgomery
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino (cross dressing)
A boy enjoys wearing a red dress and painting his fingernails. He is bullied, but eventually the kids like to play with him.
Children’s picture book
South Regional Library – The Woodlands, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
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
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.)
CHALLENGE IN PROCESS Pink, Blue and You! : questions for kids about gender stereotypes by Elise Gravel with Mykaell Blais
Voice your concerns: Click here for a link to the challenge form. Please turn the form in with your local library. Your librarian will send the form the Central Library in Conroe. Find a sample reconsideration form here!
The pending orders on this book have been canceled! Good job everyone!
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. ORDERS CANCELED
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
The Rainbow Parade by Emily Neilson
We plan to challenge this book this month!
(We recommend also challenging this book, and a sample reconsideration from post is coming soon.)
A little girl attends a Pride Parade. The first picture of the parade shows people in BSM attire, naked, and other inappropriate dress.
Children’s picture book - not yet reviewed by BookLooks
Central Library – Conroe, RB Tullis Library – New Caney,
*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)
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
That is all for now. As we add more books, we will republish.