Being You: A First Conversation About Gender

Being You: A First Conversation About Gender

About the Book

A picture book edition of the bestselling board book about gender, offering adults the opportunity to begin important conversations with young children in an informed, safe, and supported way.

Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven board book offers clear, concrete language and beautiful imagery that young children can grasp and adults can leverage for further discussion.

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it's hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.

This second book in the series begins the conversation on gender, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. Stunning art accompanies the simple and interactive text, and the backmatter offers additional resources and ideas for extending this discussion.
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Listen to a sample from Being You: A First Conversation About Gender

Praise for Being You: A First Conversation About Gender

“This primer on gender lays the groundwork for affirming conversations and creates opportunities for self-identification.”Kirkus (STARRED REVIEW)

KIRKUS BEST BOOK (2021)

"A sunny, straightforward book guiding children through what gender is, how it can fluctuate, and how it’s used throughout social structures. This book is an excellent way to generate conversation!" –School Library Journal 

Wisconsin State Recommended Book
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First Conversations Series

All of Us: A First Conversation About Disability
First Conversations Audio Collection (8 books)
Juntos: una primera conversación sobre el amor (Together: A First Conversation About Love Spanish Edition)
We Care: A First Conversation About Justice
Siendo tú: una primera conversación sobre género
Goodbye: A First Conversation About Grief
Every Body: A First Conversation About Bodies
Together: A First Conversation About Love
Nuestra piel: una primera conversación sobre la raza
Being You: A First Conversation About Gender
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About the Author

Megan Madison
Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison (she/her) is a political educator and a lifelong student of radical Black feminism. She earned her PhD in Social Policy from Brandeis University. As a scholar-activist, her approach to research and practice is guided by the Sociopolitical Ecology of Development, a theoretical framework that she developed as a part of her dissertation. Megan has served on the boards of the National Association for the Education for Young Children and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. With Jessica Ralli, she co-authors First Conversations–an award-winning series of anti-bias books for young children and their grown-ups. More by Megan Madison
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About the Author

Jessica Ralli
Jessica Ralli is the Early Literacy Programs Coordinator at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops & manages grant-funded programming including Books Unbanned Storytimes. She has an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has taught in museums, schools, and libraries. Jessica is a contributor to School Library Journal, and in 2020, she received the Library Journal Movers and Shakers Award for her advocacy work in libraries. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning First Conversations series with Megan Madison, published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. More by Jessica Ralli
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About the Author

Anne/Andy Passchier
Jessica Ralli is the Early Literacy Programs Coordinator at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops & manages grant-funded programming including Books Unbanned Storytimes. She has an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has taught in museums, schools, and libraries. Jessica is a contributor to School Library Journal, and in 2020, she received the Library Journal Movers and Shakers Award for her advocacy work in libraries. Jessica is currently co-authoring the award-winning First Conversations series with Megan Madison, published by RISE X Penguin Workshop. More by Anne/Andy Passchier
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