2018 Summer, NetGalley ARC:

Thank you to Michelle Finch, Phoenix Finch, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, and NetGalley for this advanced copy of “Phoenix Goes to School: A Story to Support Transgender and Gender Diverse Children” for an honest review.

I had to jump at this book as soon as I saw it. I am so glad kids books like this are beginning to come into existence, so that children (as well as parents!) will start seeing support for these situations and choices as soon as children are very small. This book is frank, forward, full of feelings, and it nearly made me tear up at the end.

I absolutely want a copy for all of my nieces and nephews already, and they will be getting it as soon as publication happens. ( )

Mentioned in a blog post and resource list at https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2019/11/25/trans-affirming-picture-books-2019/

In my opinion, this book is wonderful. I like that this story takes its inspiration from a real person and writes through her point of view. The point of view of Phoenix, a 7-year-old, provides whimsy and innocence to a hotly debated topic. This book also pushes readers, adults and children alike, to think about gender and the complexities and simplities of the topic. Phoenix's youth displays that simplicity in that she just knows she wants to be a girl and wear dresses but also go to school and have friends like everyone else. The complexities come more from an additional letter to grown-ups at the end but is further supported from Phoenix's story itself. The story does not necessarily have a problem and solution story arch, rather, it is written as more of a daily account of what Phoenix is and what she likes to do. ( )

A lovely and simple story about a transgender child’s first day at school. She worries that people won’t like her dress, or won’t like her. She has fears just like every child. A great introduction for school kids, and those younger about who people are, and that everyone is special. I really like that this is a true story and the girls picture is in the end. It helps the reader to know that everything is okay. ( )