Reviews

Introducing Teddy: A Gentle Story about Gender and Friendship by Jessica Walton

the_lobrarian's review

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  • Illustrations are ink and colored pencil

theybedax's review

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5.0

This is a beautiful book that wonderfully shows how to honor and respect our transgender friends. It's honest and so simple and such a necessary read!

emeelee's review

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3.0

This book lives up to its subtitle: it is certainly a very gentle, positive story about a teddy bear who tells her friend that she is a girl at heart, and wants to change her name from Thomas to Tilly.

I think it was slightly confusing that the bear was also called Teddy throughout the book, making the switch from Thomas to Tilly a little muddled.

mikhe's review against another edition

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4.0

Tänk så himla enkelt det kan vara <3

fell4's review

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1.5

It's ok, just so so basic and also it's a teddy bear, not a person. Felt almost like a cop out. 

bree343's review

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5.0

OMG MY HEART THIS IS PRECIOUS

patoney's review

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sweet story about acceptance and friendship.

babyleo's review

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4.0

This is a beautiful story about Thomas the teddy, his friend Errol and Thomas’ desire to be his true self.

The narrative is a lot simpler than what I was expecting, but it is still a great story because it doesn’t complicate anything. We’re shown Thomas the Teddy’s fears about not having a friend anymore when he tells his friend his secret, but we’re also shown acceptance and love when he does.

Walton shows that nothing changes in teddy and Errol’s routine, it is exactly the same and she shows that telling people and showing them who you really are can be easy and matter of fact as well. Highlights have to be how Teddy’s friends immediately switch to her new pronouns when she tells them she would like to be Tilly instead of Thomas.

The illustrations by MacPherson are adorable, simple but descriptive as well, and I love that Teddy and Errol have this fun relationship that they continue to have when Errol learns Teddy would like to be Tilly.

Because it is a simple narrative it doesn’t take away the importance, but it is an easy to understand story for kids and with all the main moments covered by Walton’s story it is a great way to explore the topic. As the subtitle on the book says, it is a gentle guide to gender and friendship.

avolaster's review

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

jennybeastie's review

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4.0

Solid picture book on gender/ transitioning. Nicely written (straightforward) and well illustrated. Glad to see it.