Title: They, She, He Easy as ABC – learn the ABCs and practice inclusive pronouns!
By: Maya and Matthew
Publisher: Reflection Press, April 2019
Ages: 3-6
Themes: Gender Now Curriculum, LGBTQ, transgender, pronouns, non-binary
Opening:
Ari loves to arabesque.
They hold their pose with ease.
Brody is a break dancer.
Brody loves to freeze.
Cory leaps high like a cat.
She springs and leaps and bounds.
Diego drums and dances.
Tree has all the sounds…..
Synopsis:
They, She, He easy as ABC shows that including everyone is all part of the dance. It’s easy. It’s fundamental. As the dance begins the kids proclaim, “No one left out and everyone free,” in a sing-song rhyme about inclusion. This sets the stage for readers to meet 26 kids showing us their dance moves.
Fast-paced rhyming keeps the flow of text upbeat and rhythmic, and naturally models how to use a wide range of pronouns. There’s no room for stereotypes on THIS dance floor with spirited imagery that keeps names, clothes, hair and behavior fresh and diverse. The combination creates a playful and effortless practice to expand ideas about gender while learning the alphabet and makes being inclusive as easy as A-B-C.
Why I like this book:
Inclusive pronouns are learned alongside the alphabet in this joyously illustrated take on the classic ABC book. I love the idea of starting really young to introduce the variety of pronoun options children have to present their gender identity.
I learned a new one, Tree – a playful pronoun showing our connection to nature.
Activities/resources:
M+M have a companion book called, They He She Me: Free to Be
More games and activities can be found at playingwithpronouns.com and genderwheels.com
There’s a very helpful simple explanation of all the pronouns used at the end of the book.
Reflection Press focus a big part of our work on children–children of color, transgender kids, gender diverse & non-binary kids,…..all kids.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
What a cool way to learn inclusive pronouns. I’ll check this one out. Thanks for sharing!
It’s ABC week! This one is so original! And rhyming. I’m thinking it could be used for a movement activity, too. Yes?
Oh, I like the dancing aspect. That sounds fun!
Love the combination of dance, inclusivity & ABCs plus rhyme. A wonderful book to read & reread!
I love the cover of this one and adding dance and beautiful rhyming is sure to be a winner. Thanks for sharing Joanna.
Okay, I am intrigued. I’ll have to find this one. You always find such great books.