12 books about transgender kids

Written by JR and Vanessa Ford and illustrated by Kayla Harren, Random House

Everyone thinks Calvin is a girl, but he knows in his heart that he's a boy. When he finally tells his family they take him to buy the swim trunks he's always wanted. But now the first day of school is coming up. Will everyone else accept him when he tells them his name?

Written by Christine Baldacchino and illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, Groundwood Books Ltd

Morris has a wild imagination and loves to wear his tangerine dress, but his classmates don't understand why. One day, Morris gets inspired by a dream. He paints what he saw, makes a spaceship and takes his classmates on an amazing adventure. $18, houseofanansi.com

Written by Jodie Patterson and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, Random House Children’s Books

In this book, Jodie Patterson shares her transgender son Penelope's story of identity and acceptance, and shows kids that there is strength in staying true to oneself! $24, indigo.ca

Written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas, Penguin Young Readers Group

The first of its kind, I Am Jazz is an autobiographical picture book where Jazz Jennings explains what it's like to grow up with "a girl brain but a boy body." The book explores her transition and portrays the support she's received from her family. The book precedes her TLC show of the same name. $20, amazon.ca

Written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth, Seven Stories Press

More than just facts about the birds and the bees, this colourful book for kids also explores different gender identities and sexual orientations—a great resource for  talking about bodies, gender and sexuality. $24, indigo.ca

Written by Marcus Ewert and illustrated by Rex Ray, Seven Stories Press

Bailey dreams of dresses, but unfortunately, the real world doesn't let him—Bailey's parents tell him he has to act like a boy. But everything changes when he meets an older girl named Laurel who makes his dress wishes come true. $17, sevenstories.com

Written by Gregory McGoon and illustrated by J Orr, Pelekinesis

When the king of a faraway land has a baby boy named Lyric, he finally has someone to heir the throne. But on Lyric's 16th birthday, she transforms into a princess–what she's always wanted to be. She realizes that she can still lead the kingdom, despite not being King. $26, indigo.ca

Written by Andrew Solomon, Scribner

Andrew Solomon delves into what it's like to be an ordinary family dealing with various challenges, including having kids who are transgender. $30, indigo.ca

Written by Stephanie Brill and Rachel Pepper, Cleis Press

When do you know your child is transgender? How do you know if it's a phase or not? How do you explain why your son wearing a dress ? This book answers all the difficult questions surrounding kids and transgenderism. $25, indigo.ca

Written by Nicholas M. Teich, Columbia University Press

Transgender 101 is written by a social worker, educator, and member of the transcommunity. Nicholas M. Teich explores all aspects of transgenderism–its history, the discrimination trans people face, how it relates to sexual orientation and it's effect on family and friends. $27, indigo.ca

Written by Diane Ehrensaft, The Experiment

In a society that pushes you to comform to heteronormativity, there are kids who express their gender fluidity as young as three years old. Gender Born, Gender Made offers parents guidance, support and a framework to follow when supporting their child. $22, indigo.ca

Written by Lori Duron, Random House

In this personal account, Lori Duron talks about the adventures, distress and happiness of raising her gender- noncomforming son, C.J. Her book is named after her blog of the same name. $23, indigo.ca