Updated Children’s Gender Fluid Library Book List
Updated Children’s Gender Fluid Library Book List
All public libraries and school libraries are listed where the books are found.
Updated: 12/18/2023
* indicates the book was newly added to the list.
** indicates the book was recently moved out the the children’s section.
In addition to public library locations, public school library locations have been added. Only libraries within Montgomery County have been considered.
Additional books will be added this week, please check back. We decided to hurry up and publish the list since kids are getting out of school, and parents are heading to the libraries with them.
Note: This list is overwhelming. Unfortunately, it appears that if you use the public libraries, it is inevitable that your child will run across one of these books eventually. This is why it is imperative that you have the conversation with them. A new book was recently placed at our libraries called, God Made Boys and Girls, helping children understand God’s gift of gender by Marty Machowski. Pick this book up as a tool to help you have this discussion with your kids. You can find a description of the book below.
Place a hold: God made boys and girls : helping children understand the gift of gender (sirsi.net)
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.
*Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
Donovan leaves a book on the counter, and his mother picks it up. She is concerned about the content and tries to get the book removed from the curriculum. Donovan feels caught in the middle because one of the teachers put him in the middle, which is unacceptable.
There is a tremendous amount of discussion about how young a person can know they are gay, young people considering if they are gay/ sexual orientation. This discussion includes non-binary and transgender identities.
This book is in every public library in Montgomery County.
Conroe ISD: Bozman Intermediate, McCullough Junior High School, Peet Junior High School, Veterans Memorial Intermediate,
*Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino
Sam and TJ are best friends, and also, both, nonbinary. Sam, the main character is 12, and spends a lot of time with the adult neighbors Jess and Val who are femme and non-binary respectively. The plot centers around a school project Sam and TJ are doing on Alice Austen.
There is some boundary pushing in this book which includes Jess changing clothes in front of Sam because, “fat kids need to see fat bodies.” This scene can be found in chapter 9.
Central Library - Conroe, RB Tullis Library - New Caney, South Regional Library - The Woodlands
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate
*Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass
12 year old Ana, a figure skater, is not a girly girl. She meets Haiden, a trans kid, who mistakes Ana as a boy, and she doesn’t correct him finding comfort in this new identity. Ana begins to live a double life, as a girl named Ana with her family, and a boy named A with her new friends. Eventually, in chapter 30, Ana explains to her mother and coach that she is non-binary.
Mitchell Library - West Woodlands
Conroe ISD: Caney Creek High School, Conroe High School 9th Grade Campus, Irons Junior High School, Knox Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Moorhead Junior High School, Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus, Stockton Junior High School
The Antiracist Kid by Tiffany Jewell
(Challenged January 2023, no change)
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
(For those looking into the school libraries, the same author wrote a similar book called This Book is Antiracist that can be found at the following Conroe ISD Libraries: Moorhead Junior High School, Grand Oaks High School)
*Birdie and Me by J.M.M. Nuanez
Jack and her little brother Birdie are sent to live with an uncle, who encourages Birdie to let go of his glittery ways. Birdie (age 9) is gender non-conforming.
Central Library - Conroe, RF Meador Library - Willis, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, South Regional Library - The Woodlands, RB Tullis Library - New Caney, CB Stewart Library - Montgomery
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Stockton Junior High School, Peet Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School
*Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia
A charming collection of joyful short stories. “The Gender Reveal,” a short story by George M. Johnson is about a young boy who comes out to his family as non-binary.
This book is in every library in Montgomery County, with multiple copies at some locations.
Conroe ISD: Grand Oaks High School, McCullough Junior High School, Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus, Peet Junior High School, York Junior High School
Montgomery ISD: Montgomery Junior High School, Oak Hills Junior High School
Magnolia ISD: Bear Branch Intermediate, Magnolia Intermediate, Smith Elementary
*The Boy in the Dress by David Williams
Interestingly, in Harris County, this book is in the Young Adult section. Here in Montgomery County, this book is in the children’s section.
Dennis has a passion for fashion. When his best friend finds his fashion magazines, she convinces him to wear a dress to school. He gets in trouble and is expelled, preventing him from playing in the soccer Final Cup. Dennis attends the soccer match, and to his surprise, his entire team comes out wearing dresses because the principal can’t expel them all. Dennis joins the team, and the boys play soccer in their dresses, winning the game.
South Regional Library - The Woodlands, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library - New Caney
*A Different Kind of Normal by Abigail Balfe
The above page seems to be most, if not all of the gender discussion in this book written for kids with autism.
Central Library - Conroe, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands (2 copies), RB Tullis Library - New Caney
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate
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
Conroe ISD Libraries: Moorhead Junior High School,
*Dragon Masters, Bloom of the Flower Dragon (book 21) by Tracey West
This is the only book so far in this very popular series, with a character who is non-binary. The character Val goes by they/them pronouns. This book is more subtle in that there is no explanation for these pronouns. Kids who aren’t familiar with nonbinary pronouns, are very confused, assuming there is a group that the pronouns are referring to.
Mitchell Library - West Woodlands (2 copies), South Regional Library - The Woodlands
Conroe ISD: Broadway Elementary, Buckalew Elementary, Bush Elementary, David Elementary, Galadas Elementary, Glen Lock Elementary, Hailey Elementary, Houston Elementary, Lamar Elementary, Milam Elementary, Powell Elementary, Sally K Ride Elementary, Suchma (K-6)
Montgomery ISD: Lincoln Elementary School, Montgomery Elementary School
*Felix Yz by Lisa Bunker
Felix has been fused together with a creature in one of his father’s science experiments. Now he must go through a risky procedure to separate them. Felix is gay, his mother is bi, and his grandparent is gender-fluid. The grandparent dresses as a woman three days a week, a man three days a week, and locks veirself (the preferred pronoun) in a room one day a week for naked mediation.
This book can be found in every library in Montgomery County with a new second copy going to the Conroe location.
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Stockton Junior High School
(A book by the same author called Zenobia July is also in CISD Libraries. This book is not featured on this list because it is not in the public libraries here. In this book the main character is transgendered. You can find this book in the following CISD Libraries: Irons Junior High School, Knox Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Moorhead Junior High School, Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus, Peet Junior High School, York Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School. Please also keep in mind that this substack focuses on the public library children’s section. There is a lot of Young Adult content showing up in the Junior High School Libraries.)
*Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rodgers by Caela Carter
This book is about a girl who gets ahold of her IEP (Individual Educational Plan) and reads it. An IEP is a special education plan for students with special needs. (The real story here is that a special needs student picking up this book is being preyed upon with gender ideology.) While Gwendolyn is processing the information found in her IEP, she makes a new friend who is non-binary, and they bond over feeling different. The gender fluid belief system is discussed in detail on pages 179, 262, and 264 - 268.
You can find a detailed review here:
South Regional Library - The Woodlands, Central Library - Conroe
RB Tullis Library - New Caney, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, CB Stewart Library - Montgomery
Conroe ISD: Bozman Intermediate, Tom Cox Intermediate
Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Vogel Intermediate, McCullough Junior High School, Peet Junior High School, York Junior High School
*The Flames of Hope (Wings of Fire, book 15) by Tui T. Sutherland
These wildly popular books are dark and extremely violent, and that was reason enough for me to prevent my children from reading them, to their disappointment. We all have to make our own decisions for our kids based on our own personal convictions, and some friends found themselves needing to explain some things when it came to book 15, The Flames of Hope.
The characters Axolotl and Sage are both non-binary. Sage is mentioned briefly, but Axolotl is introduced and developed as a human character who goes by they/them pronouns. A bit more is explained in the epilogue.
(There is more politics to this book that I would like to dig deeper into in a full review.)
These characters are described in the official Wings of Fire fan website:
Axolotl | Wings of Fire Wiki | Fandom
Sage | Wings of Fire Wiki | Fandom
The Wings of Fire Books can be found in every Montgomery County public library as well as every school district (Conroe ISD, Magnolia ISD, Montgomery ISD (click on your district name to check your catalog)) in the county. While these books seem to be for middle grades, most elementary schools have books from this series on the shelves.
*Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman
This book takes place in the 1980s. Frankie is a transgender boy, passing sometimes as a boy. In the chapter, “Going with the Flo,” Frankie learns about the word transsexual and takes it on as an identity. There is discussion around AIDS and prejudice towards gays.
RB Tullis Library - New Caney
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Bozman Intermediate
George (Now named Melissa) by Alex Gino
First copy placed 11/30/2018 (currently under challenge, waiting to hear results)
This book follows a young fourth grade boy who believes he’s a girl. He hasn’t told anyone this yet as the book begins. As the book progresses, he begins to share with his friend and family.
This book instructs children to erase their internet history, so their parents won’t find their searches. It teaches children that if their parents put up boundaries, this is violating their trans children’s rights. At the end, parents who aren’t immediately supportive are demonized. The principal offers a safe place.
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
Removed from CISD libraries.
Conroe ISD Libraries: Bozman Intermediate, Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Irons Junior High School, Knox Junior High School, Peet Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School, Caney Creek High School, Grand Oaks High School, The Woodlands College Park High School, The Woodlands High School
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. In this book the word, “asexual” is not actually used, but this seems to be the intention.
Central Library – Conroe, South Regional Library – The Woodlands
Conroe ISD Libraries: Irons Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Peet Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School
**Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart (moved to YA)
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.
Concerning themes: Boy is asked by a neighbor to keep it a secret from his parents that she put makeup on him. Significant mental illness is portrayed in this book including discussion of suicide. Medical transition is discussed.
Young Adult Chapter Book Children’s Chapter Book - This book has not be reviewed by BookLooks. Additional quotes can be found at the bottom of the following post:
This book was quietly moved to the Young Adult section. Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
Conroe ISD Libraries: Irons Junior High School, Knox Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Moorhead Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus
*The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donoghue
A gay couple and a lesbian couple change their names to “Lottery” after winning the lottery and live as one big family raising their children together as two moms and two dads. Brian, the 3-year-old used to be Briar. “Now Brian wants to keep her hair this short all the days because then strangers don’t think she’s a girl.”
Central Library - Conroe, RB Tullis Library - New Caney, South Regional Library - The Woodlands, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Armstrong Elementary, Birnham Woods Elementary, Clark Intermediate, David Elementary, Galatas Elementary, Giesinger Elementary, Hope Elementary, Houser Elementary, Kaufman Elementary, Powell Elementary, San Jacinto Elementary, Suchma (K-6), Travis Intermediate, York Junior High School
Montgomery ISD: Oak Hills Junior High School, Montgomery Elementary School
*Moonflower by Kacen Callender
Moon is depressed. In Moon’s dreams, Moon travels to the world of the dead. If Moon stays too long, Moon will “die” and never be able to return to the land of the living. Moon tries to stay, but is pulled against Moon’s will back to the living. Moon is also non-binary, which is explained in the book. Most of the book focuses on Moon’s spiritual journey. This reads as a religious text, teaching monism. Death and reincarnation are a path to enlightenment.
This book can be found in the children’s section at every library in Montgomery County. This book appears to be a favorite, as it was on display often.
Conroe ISD Libraries: Mitchell Intermediate, Irons Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School
*The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
Celi is navigating puberty, and her mother wants to have a Moon Ceremony (ancestral Mexica tradition) to celebrate. Celi’s best friend Magda comes out as gender fluid eventually going by Marco. (pg 128-129)
Central Library - Conroe, South Regional Library - The Woodlands, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, RF Meador Library - Willis, RB Tullis Library - New Caney
Conroe ISD: Grand Oaks High School, McCullough Junior High School, Mitchell Intermediate, Peet Junior High School, Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Gordon Reed (K-6), Travis Intermediate, Wilkerson Intermediate
Montgomery ISD: Montgomery Elementary School
Magnolia ISD: Bear Branch Junior High
**The Other Boy by M.G. Hennessey (moved to YA)
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.
Find a detailed summary of concerns here.
Children’s chapter book - Not yet reviewed by BookLooks.
CB Stewart Library – Montgomery
Conroe ISD Libraries: Mitchell Intermediate, Irons Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School,
The Pants Project by Cat Clarke (challenge in progress)
First copy placed 2017
The main character, Liv, dislikes that the girls in her school are required to wear skirts. The reason why she dislikes wearing skirts is because she believes she is a boy.
Olivia is her legal name, but she prefers Liv because it’s more gender neutral. Liv struggles with anger, and the author alludes to the connection with her having to live as a girl. (The inferred question: Perhaps the reader’s personal struggle with anger could also be because she’s actually a boy too?)
In chapter 3 Liv discusses how she searches for more information on her mom’s laptop while making sure to delete her searches to cover her tracks. (This is instructive information for the reader.) She discusses finding transgender stories and blogs, specifically suggesting YouTube.
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
Conroe ISD Libraries: Irons Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School
Montgomery ISD Libraries: Montgomery Junior High, Oak Hills Junior High
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, eventually settling on asexual. 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
Conroe ISD Libraries: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Stockton Junior High School, Caney Creek High School,
*Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky
Placed 4/19/2021
A love story, 13 year old Essie meets Aly who is non-binary.
RB Tullis Library - New Caney
Conroe ISD: Stockton Junior High, Veterans Memorial Intermediate
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
Conroe ISD Libraries: Veterans Memorial Intermediate,
*Tiger Honor by Yoon Ha Lee
Sebin, the main character, is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns.
This book is in every public library in Montgomery County.
Conroe ISD: Gordon Reed (K-6), Hines Elementary, Irons Junior High School, Vogel Intermediate
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.
Conroe ISD Libraries: Mitchell Intermediate, Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Wilkerson Intermediate, Knox Junior High School, Stockton Junior High School, Caney Creek High School,
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, Mitchell Library – West Woodlands
Conroe ISD Libraries: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Stockton Junior High School, Grand Oaks High School
Children’s Graphic Novels
*Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
Beetle’s best friend, Blog Ghost, is non-binary and referred to with the singular they/them. Beetle is a goblin-witch and Kat is a sorcerous (apprentice) and much of the story surrounds their budding romance.
Central Library - Conroe, South Regional Library - The Woodlands, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library - New Caney
Conroe ISD: Bush Elementary, Galatas Elementary, Glen Loch Elementary, Gordon Reed (K-6), Grand Oaks High School, Knox Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus, Tom Cox Intermediate, Vogel Intermediate, York Junior High School, Veterans Memorial Intermediate
Magnolia ISD: Bear Branch Junior High
Montgomery ISD: Montgomery Junior High School,
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
Conroe ISD Libraries: Bozman Intermediate, Clark Intermediate, Collins Intermediate, Grangerland Intermediate, Mitchell Intermediate, Tom Cox Intermediate, Travis Intermediate, Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Vogel Intermediate, Wilkerson Intermediate, Coulson Tough (K-6), Deretchin (K-6), Gordon Reed (K-6), Stewart (K-6), Suchma (K-6), Stockton Junior High School
Montgomery ISD Libraries: Keenan Elementary School, Madeley Ranch Elementary School, Montgomery Junior High School
Magnolia ISD Libraries: Bear Branch Intermediate, Ellisor Elementary, J. L. Lyon Elementary, Magnolia Elementary, Nichols Sawmill Elementary, Smith Elementary, Williams Elementary
The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki 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,
Conroe ISD Libraries: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Stockton Junior High School, Grand Oaks High School,
*Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
Snapdragon is a girl “who doesn’t feel quite like a girl.” I appreciate that the author seems to not go down any roads with this and lets the reader settle on, girls don’t have to be like anything in particular. Louis, Snap’s best friend, transitions from Louis a boy to Lu a girl. Snap helps the town “witch” who turns out to be her grandmother’s old flame.
Central Library - Conroe, RF Meador Library - Willis
Conroe ISD: Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Conroe High School 9th Grade Campus, Gordon Reed (K-6), Irons Junior High School, Knox Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge High School 9th Grade Campus, Stockton Junior High School, Tom Cox Intermediate, Travis Intermediate, York Junior High School
Magnolia ISD: Bear Branch Junior High, Magnolia Junior High
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
Conroe ISD Libraries: Bozman Intermediate, Clark Intermediate, Veterans Memorial Intermediate, Wilkerson Intermediate, Irons Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School, Grand Oaks High School
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 Can Be… Me! by Leslea Newman
(placed summer 2023)
A picture book that encourages children to explore cross dressing. the illustrator is Maya Christina Gonzalez who created the Gender Wheel symbol and theory for children.
Central Library - Conroe, South Regional Library - The Woodlands
I’m a Unicorn by Helen Yoon
Subtle dysmorphia: this book doesn’t specifically discuss gender.
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
Currently under challenge
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
Subtle dysmorphia: this book doesn’t specifically discuss gender.
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
Conroe ISD: Caney Creek High School, Creighton Elementary, Gordon Reed (K-6), Grand Oaks High School, Hines Elementary, Hope Elementary, Milam Elementary, Powell Elementary, Reaves Elementary, Sally K. Ride Elementary, Snyder Elementary, The Woodlands College Park High School, The Woodlands High School
Magnolia ISD: Nichols Sawmill Elementary, Magnolia Elementary
Montgomery ISD: Lincoln Elementary School
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 later 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
*Lunch from Home by Joshua David Stein
This is a charming picture book about children in grade school bringing cultural lunches from home. Children learn to be proud of their lunch and heritage.
In this book, one non-binary child is referred to as they/them. The reasons for the singular they/them pronoun use are not discussed.
Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, RB Tullis Library - New Caney, CB Stewart Library - Montgomery, RF Meador Library - Willis
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.)
**Pink, Blue and You! : questions for kids about gender stereotypes by Elise Gravel with Mykaell Blais
Moved to the ADULT SECTION!
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
1 new copy can be found at Central Library - Conroe
*Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson
One of the more subtle books, this book portrays pride as family friendly.
Central Library - Conroe, Mitchell Library - West Woodlands, RF Meador Library - Willis
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
Subtle dysmorphia: this book doesn’t specifically discuss gender.
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
Help finding good books:
If you feel overwhelmed, that’s understandable. This is a long list. Last summer we put together a substack post to help parents navigate the libraries and find good books for their kids. You can find it here: