It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book about Gender Identity is coming in May 2019 and I can already see it on every banned and challenged list out there. This book is not going to change your feelings on the subject, but it might give you a new or expanded language to use. Also, due to the accessibility of the text to children, it helped explain a few terms I was still unsure of their meaning. Therefore, this introduction to this subject can span many levels of readers. However, it is aimed at children up to about age eight or so.
Author Theresa Thorn has taken their personal experiences with their own child coming out as trans and illustrator Noah Grigni also has given this book their own personal journey. Both have created a book that, while informative, sometimes is frankly, a little “pushy” in trying to “get their agenda” out there. However, overall, this book is a strong addition to understanding this journey.
To be honest, I was nervous that they would not mention cisgender people as well. But thankfully they do mention that along with the fluidity people
can/do experience. This combination shows that it is all “normal” and there is not an “other” aspect to being “not the stereotypical norm” with your gender or identity.
Grigni’s illustrations are extremely modern: Two dads hold hands. Moms push carriages together. A couple that obvious are fluid with their identity. Not to mention there are blue and pink haired people, tattoos all over, biracial couples and every gender under the rainbow.
As with most books like this, It Feels Good to Be Yourself is a book each reader will experience on a personal level.