Stephanie Bange's Reviews > When Aidan Became a Brother
When Aidan Became a Brother
by
by
Wow. This book pulls no punches on what it is like to be young and transgender.
Born as a girl, Aidan knew something was not right. He felt like all the girly stuff -- his room, his name, his clothes were all wrong. He finally felt right when he cut off his braids and told his parents what he knew about himself. This adjustment took some time for his family. With the help of other families with transgender kids, they all learned a lot. Shortly after his transition, his mother looks to him to help buy clothes and set up a nursery for his new sibling. Aidan is very sensitive to the needs of the gender identity of the new baby, helping to find just the right gender-neutral name, decorations and needs of the baby. His mother reassures him that he will be the best big brother he can be, that he might make mistakes, but that would be OK -- just as he was OK now.
Lukoff, himself transgender, tells a heart-warming story that puts the reader in the middle of the story. This could be his story, it is so authentic. Aidan's parents are kind and understanding; they want the best for their child to succeed. This certainly comes through in the text. Laylani Juanita's digital illustrations remind me of Laura Cornell's work in all of Jamie Lee Curtis's books -- except Juanita's world is filled with diversity. Light and airy, they are full of detail and help move the story forward. There's a lot of diversity in this celebration of life!
While this topic may not be everyone's cup of tea, it fills a needed niche in helping others learn about what it is like to feel trapped in a body that is not the right sex. Pair this with Jazz Jennings' picture book, I Am Jazz, Red by Michael Hall, and Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman for a better understanding of the transgender experience. This will be useful for counselors and families of trans children, and just as important for their extended families and friends to build a bridge of understanding and empathy.
Highly Recommended for K - 3.
Born as a girl, Aidan knew something was not right. He felt like all the girly stuff -- his room, his name, his clothes were all wrong. He finally felt right when he cut off his braids and told his parents what he knew about himself. This adjustment took some time for his family. With the help of other families with transgender kids, they all learned a lot. Shortly after his transition, his mother looks to him to help buy clothes and set up a nursery for his new sibling. Aidan is very sensitive to the needs of the gender identity of the new baby, helping to find just the right gender-neutral name, decorations and needs of the baby. His mother reassures him that he will be the best big brother he can be, that he might make mistakes, but that would be OK -- just as he was OK now.
Lukoff, himself transgender, tells a heart-warming story that puts the reader in the middle of the story. This could be his story, it is so authentic. Aidan's parents are kind and understanding; they want the best for their child to succeed. This certainly comes through in the text. Laylani Juanita's digital illustrations remind me of Laura Cornell's work in all of Jamie Lee Curtis's books -- except Juanita's world is filled with diversity. Light and airy, they are full of detail and help move the story forward. There's a lot of diversity in this celebration of life!
While this topic may not be everyone's cup of tea, it fills a needed niche in helping others learn about what it is like to feel trapped in a body that is not the right sex. Pair this with Jazz Jennings' picture book, I Am Jazz, Red by Michael Hall, and Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman for a better understanding of the transgender experience. This will be useful for counselors and families of trans children, and just as important for their extended families and friends to build a bridge of understanding and empathy.
Highly Recommended for K - 3.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
March 9, 2019
– Shelved