TRUE YOU

Photographs and text describe gender identity.

Full-color images show a wide array of children—diverse in age, race, gender, and ability—grinning for the camera, playing, and posing. In a series of upbeat affirmations, the kids collectively explain that they are “courageous, / curious, creative, and proud,” with background colors subtly evoking a rainbow. The cheery narration tries to be as broadly applicable as possible but unfortunately lapses into vague tautologies such as “There’s a whole wide world of kids and different ways to be who you are—your true you.” This explanatory text transitions into speech bubbles paired with images of trans, cis, and gender-expansive youth (“When I was born, people said I was a girl. They were right!” “Nonbinary kids, like my sibling, should be treated the same way that other friends who are cisgender boys and girls are treated”). These appear to be quotations from real kids but might be manufactured dialogue. The book ends with collective narration, repeating the same message of acceptance. Extensive backmatter explores concepts and terms not touched on in the book itself. While this title tries for sweet and open-ended, it instead comes off as cloying, confusing, and directionless. Though it may be helpful for some, a more focused nonfiction text or skillfully done work of fiction could contain the same messages without being overwhelming. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A heartfelt but skippable contribution.