10+ Best Gender Identity Books for 3-5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Hey there! Are you on the hunt for gender identity books for 3-5-year-olds to help introduce and explore the concept of gender identity in a kid-friendly way? You're in the right spot! We’ve got a fantastic selection of books that are perfect for little learners. Keep reading to discover our curated lists of gender identity books for 3-5-year-olds that are both engaging and educational. Let's dive in and find the perfect reads to spark meaningful conversations with your preschoolers!

Fun Gender Identity Books for 3-5-Year-Olds

• Introducing Teddy by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Dougal MacPherson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This heartwarming story revolves around a teddy bear named Thomas who reveals to his owner that he has always felt like a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. With support from his friends, he transitions to being Tilly.
  • Why we recommend this book: It gently introduces the concept of gender identity and transition in a way that is easy for young children to understand and accept.
  • Perfect for: Young readers and any child navigating the concept of identity or experiencing transitions in their own life or in the lives of those around them.

• Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Julian, a young boy, sees three women dressed spectacularly on his subway ride home and imagines himself as a beautiful mermaid. When he gets home, he dresses up like a mermaid and worries about what his abuela will think.
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates self-expression and creativity, showing children that it's wonderful to be different and to embrace who they are.
  • Perfect for: Children who love dressing up and those who are learning to express themselves freely.

• Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as red struggles to perform what's expected until everyone realizes he is actually blue, and starts to see him for who he truly is.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever allegory for identity and self-discovery that teaches kids to accept themselves and others as they are.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are feeling out of place or misunderstood, and anyone learning the importance of being true to oneself.

• They She He Me: Free to Be! by Maya Gonzalez and Matthew SG
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book features simple, straightforward prose and illustrations to introduce the concept of gender fluidity and the usage of different pronouns.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a practical approach to understanding and using pronouns, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment from an early age.
  • Perfect for: Children and educators looking for resources to facilitate discussions about gender and inclusivity in a simple, accessible way.

• It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn, illustrated by Noah Grigni
  • Genre(s): Children's Nonfiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explains gender identity and being true to oneself through the story of a child named Ruthie, a transgender girl, and her family and friends who all express gender in different ways.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a straightforward, informative approach to explaining gender identity to children, helping them understand and embrace diversity in themselves and others.
  • Perfect for: Young readers curious about themselves and the different identities around them, and families seeking to foster understanding and acceptance at home.

Educational Gender Identity Books for 3-5-Year-Olds

• My Shadow Is Purple by Scott Stuart
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: A young child explores the fluidity of gender identity through the metaphor of a shadow that isn’t just one color but many, illustrating the spectrum of gender beyond traditional binaries.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of gender fluidity, empathy, self-expression
  • Why we recommend this book: It uses a unique and accessible metaphor to help children grasp the concept of gender fluidity and self-acceptance.
  • Perfect for: Young readers exploring their own identities and those looking to understand gender diversity.

• Pink Is for Boys by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Eda Kaban
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: This book challenges the traditional color-gender associations, showing that all colors are for everyone, regardless of gender, and encourages children to enjoy what they like without boundaries.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Color recognition, breaking gender stereotypes, self-esteem
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes gender inclusivity and breaks down stereotypes, encouraging kids to freely enjoy their personal preferences.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to notice and question gender norms, and parents who wish to raise open-minded children.

• Neither by Airlie Anderson
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: In a land where everyone is either a blue rabbit or a yellow bird, Neither—a green creature that is both and neither—struggles to fit in, leading to a journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Acceptance of others, understanding of inclusivity, self-acceptance
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a heartwarming and imaginative story that teaches the importance of embracing differences and finding one's place in the world.
  • Perfect for: Children feeling out of place or different, and classrooms discussing diversity and acceptance.

• Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? by Sarah Savage, illustrated by Fox Fisher
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Through the story of Tiny, a child who doesn't identify strictly as a boy or a girl, this book explores the freedom of being oneself without being confined by gender.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Gender identity exploration, critical thinking about social norms, empathy
  • Why we recommend this book: It opens up conversations about gender identity in a way that is understandable and respectful, allowing children to think about and express their own identities.
  • Perfect for: Young readers questioning or exploring gender identity and teachers or parents wanting to introduce concepts of non-binary and gender fluidity.

• What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold, illustrated by Linda Davick
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Riley, a child whose gender is never specified, loves to wear clothes that express how they feel each day, showing that clothes are for fun and self-expression, not for defining gender.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-expression through clothing, emotional intelligence, confidence building
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates individuality and self-expression through a relatable and joyful character.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy dressing up and expressing themselves, and caregivers seeking to nurture confidence and creativity.

Challenging Gender Identity Books for 3-5-Year-Olds

• Who Are You? The Kid's Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee, illustrated by Naomi Bardoff
  • Genre(s): Children's Nonfiction, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book provides a straightforward introduction to gender identity, explaining the spectrum of gender and the differences between assigned sex at birth, gender identity, and gender expression.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex concepts of gender identity and expression in a way that is accessible for young children, encouraging them to think about their own identity in a broader context.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an excellent resource for children beginning to understand the concept of gender, providing clear explanations and engaging activities that help solidify the learning.
  • Perfect for: Young learners curious about gender and parents or educators seeking an educational tool to discuss gender identity.

• Jacob's New Dress by Sarah Hoffman & Ian Hoffman, illustrated by Chris Case
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: The story follows Jacob, a boy who loves wearing dresses and wants to wear one to school, despite facing opposition and teasing from his peers.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles the subjects of non-conformity and bullying due to gender expression, presenting these issues in a way that is understandable for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes acceptance and courage in the face of adversity, and it supports children who wish to express themselves in non-traditional ways.
  • Perfect for: Children exploring self-expression through clothing and those learning about empathy and resilience.

• 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert, illustrated by Rex Ray
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Bailey dreams of beautiful dresses, but her family is unhappy with her dreams and insists that boys don't wear dresses. Each night, Bailey dreams of fantastical dresses and finally finds someone who understands her dreams.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses the conflict between a child's self-identity and societal expectations, presenting themes of acceptance and self-expression.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to dream big and be true to themselves, even when others may not understand.
  • Perfect for: Children who dream of things that seem out of reach and need encouragement to be their authentic selves.

• Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchino, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Morris loves wearing a tangerine dress at his school's dress-up center, which leads to teasing from classmates. He shows courage and creativity in expressing himself despite the challenges.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores themes of isolation and acceptance related to non-traditional gender expression in a sensitive and impactful way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a powerful story about self-expression and the importance of accepting others, helping children understand that it's okay to be different.
  • Perfect for: Kids facing challenges in expressing themselves and those learning to accept and celebrate differences in others.

• Annie's Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids, illustrated by Rachael Balsaitis
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Picture Book
  • Synopsis: Annie loves her plaid shirt and feels uncomfortable when her mother wants her to wear a dress to her uncle's wedding. She struggles with her identity and comfort until she finds a solution that allows her to be true to herself.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with the pressure to conform to gender norms and the emotional conflict that can arise from this pressure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches the importance of being true to oneself and finding creative solutions to express one's identity comfortably.
  • Perfect for: Children who feel pressured to conform and need affirmation that it's okay to stand out.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young children to books about gender identity can be a transformative part of their early education, fostering inclusivity and understanding from a young age. To make the most of these reading sessions, here are some engaging exercises that can help develop good reading habits in 3-5-year-olds while exploring such important topics.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Preview the book by only looking at the pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and prediction skills, which are key to reading comprehension.
  • Tips: Ask your child to guess what the story might be about based on the pictures they see.

• Story Predictions
  • What it is: Pause during reading to predict what might happen next in the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances anticipatory and critical thinking skills.
  • Tips: Make it fun by taking turns to make predictions, and celebrate who gets closest to the actual storyline.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book using simple props or costumes.
  • How it helps: Helps deepen understanding of character actions and emotions.
  • Tips: Encourage your child to express what they think the character is feeling or thinking.

• Reading Aloud Together
  • What it is: Take turns reading parts of the book aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and phonetic skills by mimicking adult pronunciation and intonation.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more engaging and fun.

• Story Mapping
  • What it is: Draw a map or a sequence of events from the story after reading.
  • How it helps: Aids in understanding the structure of stories and sequence of events.
  • Tips: Use large sheets of paper and colorful markers to make this activity visually stimulating and memorable.

• Book-Based Crafts
  • What it is: Create crafts based on themes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces themes from the story and allows for creative expression.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials simple and safe for young children, like paper, glue, and non-toxic colors.

• Question Time
  • What it is: After reading, ask your child questions about the book and discuss their thoughts.
  • How it helps: Encourages analytical thinking and personal connection to the story.
  • Tips: Keep questions open-ended to encourage more detailed responses and deeper thinking.

These exercises are not only fun but also incredibly beneficial in developing young children's reading and comprehension skills. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting a strong foundation for a lifetime love of reading and a deep understanding of diverse perspectives. Happy reading!