Calvin

by Jr Ford (Author) Kayla Harren (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

In this joyful and impactful picture book, a transgender boy prepares for the first day of school and introduces himself to his family and friends for the first time.

Calvin has always been a boy, even if the world sees him as a girl. He knows who he is in his heart and in his mind but he hasn't yet told his family. Finally, he can wait no longer: I'm not a girl, he tells his family. I'm a boy--a boy in my heart and in my brain. Quick to support him, his loving family takes Calvin shopping for the swim trunks he's always wanted and back-to-school clothes and a new haircut that helps him look and feel like the boy he's always known himself to be. As the first day of school approaches, he's nervous and the what-ifs gather up inside him. But as his friends and teachers rally around him and he tells them his name, all his what-ifs begin to melt away.

Inspired by the authors' own transgender child and accompanied by warm and triumphant illustrations, this authentic and personal text promotes kindness and empathy, offering a poignant and inclusive back-to-school message: all should feel safe, respected, and welcomed.

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Hardcover
$16.99

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A valuable model of intentional, compassionate response to gender expansive kids and their needs.

Review quotes

Praise for Calvin

Calvin is a perfect book to help readers understand and comprehend the perspective of a transgender child. It's heartwarming, honest, filled with beautiful illustrations and provides a comforting tool for any child who may be nervous about presenting their true selves to the world that surrounds them. — Jeanette Jennings, "I am Jazz" TV series and President of the Transkids Purple Rainbow Foundation 

Calvin is an absolute delight. I couldn't even get through the first few pages without crying happy tears. What a heartfelt, beautiful book—one that I hope every kid, parent, and educator reads. Chances are there's a Calvin somewhere in your life, and I hope you take the time to hear their story. —Robbie Couch, author of The Sky Blues

Calvin is the heartwarming and affirming story all trans children deserve. Everyone can learn what acceptance looks like from this book. —Amanda Jetté Knox, author of Love Lives Here and LGBTQ advocate

Jr Ford
JR and Vanessa Ford are nationally-known advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, specifically, rights for transgender youth. Their advocacy and work has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and in "Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric." They were both founding members of the Human Rights Campaign's Parents for Transgender Equality Council. They live with their two children, one of whom is trans, in the Boston, MA area.

Kayla Harren graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She illustrated the award-winning picture books A Boy Like You and The Boy Who Grew A Forest. Kayla draws pictures at her home in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and dogs.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593108673
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date
November 20, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Library of Congress categories
Schools
First day of school
Transgender people

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