An important story to share but I'm not a big fan of the illustrations. Will still recommend to readers.

I feel a bit mixed about this book being written by the parent of a trans kid, instead of by a trans person themselves. I would prefer an own voices take. That said, this is a good addition to the growing collection of children's books about trans kids. I especially like that this one does not rely on getting a haircut to validate gender.

I loved this book so much! Short and sweet, it's an important book for children to get an introduction to gender identity.

A sensitive, affirming look at how a supportive environment can help transgender children blossom socially and grow up healthy and happy. I was already familiar with this family's story, and it's wonderful to see it told so well for children.

I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's through NetGalley.
An empowering story based on a young man named Penelope. His mom wrote this picture book to share the start of their journey. Penelope was born in a girl's body but knew he was a boy. He bravely shares this with his mom and then the rest of the family and his school. Readers also see him learn karate and attend his first tournament with him.
Patterson captures her memories of this time and invites readers in to see how they listened and accepted when Penelope shared who he was. The illustrations support the text and capture the swirls of emotions and love that happened in their home and the school.
Thankful for the simple to read text that still honors the emotions and commitment of young people who identify in this manner.

I feel torn about this book. It's a true story, a mom writing about her son's journey to becoming his true self. And i can't deny the truth to anyone's story, but something about this fell flat. It might have just been the art which didn't really grab me or hold my attention, but I just didn't connect to this book the way I do with other trans stories.

Effective picture book story of transgender boy. Penelope explains to his accepting family and friends that he doesn’t feel like a boy, he is a boy.
Good introduction for young audiences showing Penelope’s determination to be himself. His initial anger at not being truly recognized becomes joy when he is welcomed as a boy.

Pre-K-2nd Grade. Picture book. A great book to highlight gender identity, gender expression, and gender non-conformity. In few pages, the author demonstrates the differences between these different terms and shows how they impact a child. While the parent "fixes" the problem for Penelope, Penelope still has agency over who he is on the inside and the outside. The illustrations are soft and work with the text on the page. I appreciate that he experienced support from his family, friends, and school. This is a much-needed addition to any public, school, and home library.

This is a much needed book about transgender children and the feelings they experience. It also contains good guidance for parents with young transgender children. Thank you to the author for sharing your son with us.

This is a cute book about a child who was born a girl but is actually a boy- and a ninja. He knows the truth but he has to help everyone else know it and accept it. This is a good book for any child to read but especially if they are transgender or have a friend who is. It is also good for adults as well!

Beautiful, sweet, wonderful book. Illustrations are beautiful. This is a book of love and acceptance. I love that Penelope is loving as their true self.

This has a main character born as a girl that identifies as a boy at age 5. Goes through the process of having everyone at school identify him as a boy. I thought it was odd that he still wanted to be called by his female name.

This is a sweet story of a boy who was born female, but who knows that he is a boy. It is based written by his mother, and based on her memories of what it was like to understand and accept her son for what he was.

Very brave boy, but very understanding family helps him feel confident that he can be who he felt he was born to be.

Wonderful illustrations and very simple laid out story which is easy enough for kids to understand.

I am so glad that there are all these picture books out there so children can see themselves in books.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

The cover of this book is absolutely beautiful.
My two children and I LOVED this book...absolutely loved it.
Every kid and parent should read this book.


I'd definitely purchase a copy and check out other books by the author.

A sensitive look at a young trans boys experiences coming out to his family and friends. The ninja motif felt tacked onto the story.

This book is pretty cute! I like that it touches on certain emotional elements like how Penelope acts out when he feels he isn't being listened to or getting the attention he needs. I like that he really is the narrator of this story, that he has a clear voice. This is shown through him asserting things like, "No I don't think I'm a boy; I AM a boy." This book is good for visibility, representation, and exposing kids to experiences that may not be like their own. In this way, it is a successful work, I'd say, because I'd give it to kids who are exploring gender as well as kids kids who are looking to broaden their perspectives (or rather whose parents want them exposed to a wide range of identities).

Educators and librarians can use this book to discuss identity with young students. I enjoy how the family is very accepting of their daughter's request to tell people to address her as a boy but call her by her birth name Penelope. In addition, it will be important for educators and librarians to connect this book to Social Emotional Learning components. Even though the main character has a positive experience and support with the identity, some children might not. Therefore, educators and teachers should be prepared to have a discussion with students about how they can deal with friends, family, and teachers who are not receptive of them identifying with a different gender.