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Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendship by Dougal MacPherson, Jess Walton
tashrow's review
5.0
Starting as a Kickstarter project, this picture book features Thomas the teddy and Errol who are best friends. They do everything together, riding bikes, playing in the garden, and eating in the tree house. But one day, Thomas doesn’t feel like playing. Even a visit to the park won’t cheer him up. When Errol asks what is wrong, Teddy says that he is worried that if he tells Errol that Errol won’t want to be his friend any more. After Errol reassures him, Teddy admits that he has always felt in his heart that he is a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. When the two meet Ava, she demonstrates that girls can be anything they want, including inventing robots and wearing their hair without a bow. It’s a gentle look at gender identity.
This is Walton’s first picture book and it is inspired by her father’s transition from male to female. In the picture book, she makes sure to keep everything at a level that small children can understand. It’s a book that speaks to gender and will also work for children who may not be transgender but feel that they don’t fit into the limits that society puts them into. It’s a book that celebrates being who you are and not being afraid to tell others what is in your heart.
MacPherson’s illustrations have a whimsical quality to them, filled with a zingy energy. The use of a bow to demonstrate gender works very nicely and subtly. The introduction of a girl character who is a lovely mix of long hair and skirts and then science and freedom makes for an excellent counterpoint to the bow and bow tie.
A strong addition to picture book about gender identity, this is a gentle way to speak about the issue with children. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
This is Walton’s first picture book and it is inspired by her father’s transition from male to female. In the picture book, she makes sure to keep everything at a level that small children can understand. It’s a book that speaks to gender and will also work for children who may not be transgender but feel that they don’t fit into the limits that society puts them into. It’s a book that celebrates being who you are and not being afraid to tell others what is in your heart.
MacPherson’s illustrations have a whimsical quality to them, filled with a zingy energy. The use of a bow to demonstrate gender works very nicely and subtly. The introduction of a girl character who is a lovely mix of long hair and skirts and then science and freedom makes for an excellent counterpoint to the bow and bow tie.
A strong addition to picture book about gender identity, this is a gentle way to speak about the issue with children. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
gardenjess's review
5.0
Simple and sweet picture book that could be used to explain gender identity to children. I'm so glad this exists, and in a book that is so well done. Teddy is afraid to tell his friend that he really feels like a girl teddy and not a boy teddy b/c it may ruin their friendship. This makes him said and his friend notices and asks what is wrong, and then reassures him that he will still be his friend whether he is a boy teddy or a girl teddy. Matter of factly the boy explains to their friend Ava that Teddy is now named Tilly, Tilly moves her bowtie to her hair and life carries on. Great message of friendship, acceptance, and being yourself.
holmesstorybooks's review
3.0
sweet!! precious !!! talks about gender and friendship. THE MOST PRECIOUS PAGE IS WHEN THE BEAR CHANGES THEIR BOW TIE TO A HAIR TIE i wept thank u.
sass's review
5.0
A sweet and beautiful picture book that introduces young children to the concept of gender identity in a gentle and age-appropriate way.
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