Joy Berry

This book is designed for "home, church, or home." I picked it up prepared to be outraged, but this book is not about heterosexual marital relationships. Rather it is about reassuring children that there are many---all equally acceptable---ways to behave as a child and grownup. It's OK for girls to like sports and for boys to like jewelry. It's OK for men and women to not marry, and if they do, it's OK for them to not have children, and if they have children, either the mother or the father show more can be the primary caregiver or breadwinner. Black line drawings don't feel dated.
Update (my conscience has been raised by knowing some lovely transgender people): This book does not recognize the existence of those who don't fit nicely into one of two categories. Still, the message that it's OK to be who you are is welcome. show less

I was really worried about this one, based on the title, but it certainly wasn't as bad as it could have been.

For being a "children's book about human sexuality," it focuses mainly on gendered things like names, careers, and hobbies, stating that both boys and girls, men and women can enjoy various activities no matter what society tries to tell them. Which, you know, is a great message on its own, but it is also clear to state, repeatedly, that you are "one or the other," male or female, show more boy or girl, man or woman. "A male child is a boy, and a boy becomes a man." "A female child is a girl, and a girl becomes a woman." But hey, within that you can be whatever you want.

I'll be putting this in a Little Free Library, just not sure I want to put it in my Little Free Library. show less

Kind of wordy in places, but makes clear distinctions between "fantasy," "mistakes," and "lying." Emphasis is on making sure the other person knows the truth, i.e. you tell them you are telling a fantasy/story/make believe, you update them when you discover you made a mistake. Steps are given for if you lie: 1. tell them you lied, 2. say you are sorry, 3. offer to help fix the problem, 4. tell the truth in the future. A broken vase is used as an extended example. One issue that did come up: show more my child showed some confusion about lying down vs. lying. The book did not address this homonym. show less

This book is a bit outdated in its view of man/woman sexuality, but the basic message, that a boy or girl can do anything they want without being "effeminate" or a "tomboy" is still true. This book needs to be rewritten—if it hasn't been—for today's (2020s) parents and children.