Introducing Teddy: A gentle story about gender and friendship [Hardcover]

Introducing Teddyintroduces the youngest readers to understanding gender identity and transition in an accessible and heart-warming story about being true to yourself and being a good friend.

Errol and his teddy, Thomas, are best friends who do everything together. Whether it's riding a bike, playing in the tree house, having a tea party, or all of the above, every day holds something fun to do.

One sunny day, Errol finds that Thomas is sad, even when they are playing in their favorite ways. Errol can't figure out why, until Thomas finally tells Errol what the teddy has been afraid to say: In my heart, I've always known that I'm a girl teddy, not a boy teddy. I wish my name was Tilly, not Thomas. And Errol says, I don't care if you're a girl teddy or a boy teddy! What matters is that you are my friend.

Jessica Waltonis a picture book author, teacher, parent, daughter of a trans parent, and proud queer, disabled woman. They wroteIntroducing Teddy: A Gentle Story About Gender and Friendshipto help explain gender identity in a simple, positive way to their kids. Jess lives with their wife, kids, and cat in Melbourne, Australia.

Dougal MacPhersononce drew a truck on a rainy Sunday afternoon to entertain his young son. Since then, he has illustrated for tech websites and conferences and now, a children's book. Dougal lives with his wife, son, daughter and a cat called Monster, in Australia. He documents the antics of his family through fifteen-minute drawings in a popular Instagram account.
@15mindrawings

Walton gently explains Tilly's gender, which is a small ripple in the lives of children at play, and subtly pokes at gender roles with Errol's tea parties and Ava's robot building. MacPherson's illustrations are sweet, with a sketchy, contemporary style. . . . This book beautifully changes the narrative of gender and gender roles, but fair warning--the hug scene might bring a tear or two.