*I received this book as an eARC from Jessica Kingsley Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This picture book is a cute, short story about a girl being nervous about how people will react when she wears a dress to school. A young girl and her mother wrote this story together about their own personal experiences. In addition to the story, there are also resources included with the book. There are questions to use to initiate a conversation with children about gender. There are also resources for adults and parents about trans issues.

There is plenty of colorful artwork in this picture book. Phoenix is relatable to any child. The fact that this book was written by a daughter and her mother makes it even more adorable. I give this picture book a 5/5.

This children’s book was written by Michelle Finch, the mother of Pheonix, a real-life young girl who just so happens to be transgender. As the title suggests, it is a tale about this dress-loving child, 7 years-old, and how she battles the anxieties of going to school for the first time.

This picture book is cutely illustrated, and I believe that it should be read to every child, gender-nonconforming or not. It teaches a valuable lesson about kindness and acceptance. This story is important because it teaches children and parents that being kind to someone and allowing them the space to be themselves can go a long way to how a child perceives herself/himself/themself.

Representation matters. It is important for young children to have someone to look up to, someone that will let them know that everything is okay, that what you’re feeling and who you are is normal.

The writing in itself is simple. The story is short and sweet. As stated, it follows the anxieties she encounters before going to her first day of school. She is worried about how she will be perceived when she arrives at school, since she was born as male. The reception to her presence is wholly positive. It moves one’s heart greatly.


Rating: 4.5 Stars

Review to be posted in July on my blog/other places I post my reviews.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

This was a beautiful book, just as I had hoped when I requested it on Netgalley. It is about a girl named Phoenix. She is about to start her new school and is extra scared about going to school and wearing one of her pretty dresses. Now I hear you wonder why this is so scary?

Well, Phoenix is not born as a girl, she is actually born as a boy. We know that kids (but also adults) can be cruel, so Phoenix is worried they may bully her for wearing a dress. She is worried they may call her a boy, or make fun of her. My heart went out to this girl. So I found it very brave that she still wore her dress when she went to school. She could have just dressed up in other clothes, but no this girl wanted to wear her dress and so it shall be. Go girl!

Thankfully she also has an amazing mom who motivates her and tells her she is good as she is. So fabulous that the mom is so supportive and sweet. Go mom!

I am very delighted with how her first day went, how accepting everyone was and how sweet they were. I am sure she is going to have a wonderful time in school.

Of course the book isn't just about going to school, but it also shows us why Phoenix loves dresses, and what else she loves to do.

I also loved the art, it was quite pretty.

Plus points to the last pages of the book with questions for kids, some information for grown-ups, and also some talking points.

All in all, a book I would highly recommend to everyone. This one should definitively be featured in classrooms.

This is one of the best books for young children that explains what it feels like to be a girl trapped in a boy's body I have seen so far. It's made all the better because the story is told by a real child in this situation, and it's aim is to express her very real and valid fears about starting school and how the other children will react to 'a boy wearing a dress'. And the illustrations are amazing. I really hope that this is the first in a series and Phoenix writes more books. Well done, Kiddo!

I think it's great that we are getting more diverse books for kids. This is a sometimes difficult and confusing topic to talk with kids about but I always felt kids are smarter and more understanding than we give them credit for. I think this could be a good intro for kids about the topic of transgender identity. It would be great to get more own voices reviews.
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.