SAYFTEE

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman, founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

This book is my absolute favorite kids’ book! It’s about a crayon with a red wrapping but it draws the color blue. It can be interpreted in a variety of different ways but the main message is: Some people might not understand you. Some people might put labels on you that don’t fit. Then there are people who will encourage you and support your truth. This book is about bravery, self acceptance, and celebration.

Reviewer: Meg Price, LMHC of Aurora Counseling Assoc. in Natick, MA

This book makes my heart sing! A little boy named Julian finds inspiration on the subway with his Nana in the form of 3 beautifully bedecked women. He begins to create his own look at home, unsure of how Nana will react. This book is tender, joyful, and visually stunning, and leaves me feeling like I got a hug from Nana myself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Reviewer: Maurice Newman (he/him), Associate Ministry Director of LGBT Asylum Task Force

In this book, Hassan is a child from Somalia and attending a new school in a new country.

Hassan understands very little English and so in his class, the teacher gave him a task to paint. He understood he was to paint because the teacher gave him a paper, a brush and showed him the colours. He has never painted before. He painted a picture of what happened to him in Somalia; his real reality. His mother asked him at the end of the school day to show her his picture, but he did not. Instead, the next day he drew a happier picture where everything was nice and ‘ok’ and showed that to his mother.

I chose this book because like Hassan, asylum seekers come from everywhere where norms, cultures and traditions are very different. When they get here a lot of things become new and they have to figure out on their own how to do them. Most importantly though, like Hassan who drew his reality on the first day but chose to show his mom a happier picture instead, asylum seekers have all experienced incomparable trauma one way or another, but they choose to wear a smile and look happy, not really reflecting the constant struggle they face emotionally, psychologically, socially and sometimes spiritually.

Because we know of all these issues, we continue to fight everyday to help these individuals as best as we can with help of people and organizations like yours.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes, LMHC (they/them/theirs), co-director of SAYFTEE

I’m a big fan of this book because of the wide range of representation of queer and trans people. Consider sharing it with ALL the kiddos in your life, and check out @FlamingoRampant on Instagram for more feminist, racially-diverse and LGBTQ-positive children’s books!

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman (she/her/hers), SAYFTEE Co-director and Founder

This book is exactly what I have been looking for to recommend to parents of young LGBTQ+ children (and all children) to help them understand themselves, their bodies and relationships. It covers: puberty, hormones, pregnancy, consent, sex, relationship & families while using language that is inclusive of everyone. I also really enjoyed the illustrations by the Boston-based illustrator, Noah Grigni.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

The Boy & the Bindi is a beautifully illustrated and joyful story about a boy learning the significance of his mother’s bindi. In terms accessible to young readers, the story touches upon aspects of cultural identity, spirituality, and gender expansiveness.

Reviewer: Nic Wildes (they/them/theirs), LMHC and co-director of SAYFTEE

This was such a heartwarming story of a young trans boy sharing his truth and then preparing for the birth of a sibling. He expresses worry about being the perfect big brother, and his mother lovingly reminds him: You taught us how important it is to love someone for exactly who they are.

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them), LMHC at SAYFTEE

One of the first children’s books for siblings of trans youth I’ve encountered! Jack (Not Jackie) follows the older sister’s experience of having a new sibling and all of the excitement that comes with that, as well as the disappointment when your younger sibling does not share the same interests as you, and learning that your sibling needs support and understanding!

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her/hers), LICSW at SAYFTEE

This delightful book was written by mother-daughter duo DeShanna and Trinity Neal, inspired by Trinity’s own experience. In the story, Trinity’s mother listens as Trinity explains why long hair feels important to her as a trans girl. Her mother then works to help make this happen in a way that honors Trinity’s ethnicity, neurodiversity, and colorful personality.

Reviewer: Melissa MacNish Nishman (she/her), founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

I have always been a fan of drag queen story hour. Drag Queens are the embodiment of strength, pride and acceptance. The illustrations in the book are fun and colorful. It is a fresh and fun take on the age old classic: The Wheels on the Bus.

We envision a world where kids can learn from LGBTQ+ herstories and experiences to love themselves, celebrate the fabulous diversity in their communities, and stand up for what they believe in and each other."

Check out the nonprofit Drag Queen Story Hour! The mission and vision of GQSH, “celebrates reading through the glamorous art of drag." Their chapter network creates diverse, accessible, and culturally-inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves and become bright lights of change in their communities.

Reviewer: Helen Staab (she/her), LICSW at SAYFTEE

It’s nice to find an LGBTQ+ affirming book for the littlest humans! This book goes through the rainbow with colorful photographs as well as rhyming affirmations. My personal favorite was “soft green grass, cool shady tree, I’ll love the person you’ll grow to be.”

Reviewer: Haeden Peaslee (they/them), LMHC and clinician at SAYFTEE

I appreciate the way shadow is used in this book as a metaphor for identity vs presentation, and some of the ways that it can be hard to show your inner self. I do wish some of the shadows had been colors other than pink or blue, but this book offers a good basic starting point for those ideas of how we feel inside and what parts of that inside self we want to show on the outside!

Reviewer: Nic Wildes, LMHC, (they/them), co-director of SAYFTEE

This book is perfect for anyone who has ever felt they did not fit in and were afraid to be themselves. As Ganesha and their friends in “The Fabulous Outsiders Club” learn there is freedom in “being beautifully different.” Let us each embrace this truth and revel in our own unique magic!

Who Recommended: Melissa MacNish founder and co-director of SAYFTEE

“I have been waiting for a book like this to recommend to families! This book is perfect for young children who have a sibling who comes out as transgender. It not only highlights and normalizes the feelings a child might be having about their sibling’s gender transition but it also describes gender identity in a clear, affirming and thoughtful way. I also appreciate how the illustrations bring to life the tenderness and love of this family's relationships and this topic. “

Recommended for ages 3-8

Cory and Fiona write and illustrate books about bodies, puberty, and sex at age appropriate levels from 3-14 years old.

These books are considered a great resource for families with trans, non-binary, and intersex youth (or parents!).

What Makes a Baby is an introduction to conception, gestation, and birth and the many ways that a family forms.

Recommended for ages 8-10

Cory and Fiona write and illustrate books about bodies, puberty, and sex at age appropriate levels from 3-14 years old.

These books are considered a great resource for families with trans, non-binary, and intersex youth (or parents!).

Sex is a Funny Word is a comic based book to introduce sex education subjects. It includes LGBTQ+ relevant information and representation, as well as room for discussions around beliefs, boundaries, safety and joy.

Bodies are Cool, written and illustrated by Tyler Felder!
Target Audience: Preschool

Thank you to Sayftee Co-Director Nic Wildes, LMHC (They/Them) for recommending Bodies are Cool! They shared "I love this picture book as an inclusive and clear way of teaching the little ones in my life about the range of different bodies in the world. As the title states, it inspires confidence and acceptance of all bodies."