This is a quick and easy primer on the queer community and acceptance. What makes this book exceptional is the inclusion of privilege and being an ally. So many people view books like this as written "for" queer kids and don't see the appeal to cisgendered heterosexual kids, but this this book really makes it easy to see the crossover to many different children. It's a quick and easy read with enough but not too much detail, and the illustrations and font choice make it fun. Highly recommend to all parents of kids. I read a lot of books on the subject and this is top of my list. .

This was a great book, very easy to understand and read. Talks about topics that have to do with being yourself no matter what that might be, in words that are very simple to understand. I give this 5 stars when normally I don't give Children's books 5 stars. Mainly because the book teaches acceptance of yourself and others as well as how to be an ally to those different than us. Great life lesson in this book.

You Be You! is intended to encourage children ages 5 upwards to be themselves and reassure that it's okay to be who they are. While I think this is too young to be looking at gender issues I was hoping this would be a balanced look at sex and gender but I'm afraid I found it very one sided. At the beginning it says, "Our aim is to help raise kids who accept themselves and others." except this book only fosters acceptance within the LGBTQI+ community and excludes anyone who has a different opinion. It uses strange comparisons like comparing every body type to every type of colour and drives an unhelpful wedge between sex and gender. It states "A person's sex...doesn't predict their gender identity..." In most cases it actually does so saying it doesn’t is a misleading and sweeping statement.

The book's message is also quite contradictory. If it's fine to accept any gender configuration as great (we’re continually told whatever gender you feel like is great but there’s no place given to the interpretation of those feelings) then why isn't it fine to accept someone who believes in a binary male/female distinction and believes on medical grounds that not every gender status is healthy? There are a very small minority who don't fit the male/female model and they should be embraced with love and compassion but this book basically inputs a 'be any gender you want and that's great' view into children's minds at an age they are ill equipped to deal with. I really don't think it's helpful to introduce labels like gender fluidity, gender queer, transgender, bisexual, pansexual etc at this age.

I'll probably be in a minority but I wouldn't use this book other than perhaps as a reference guide to viewpoints and terminology prevalent in society today. Some of the terms used are too complex for the age group the book is intended for. It gives a fairly comprehensive overview of LGBTQI+ thinking but it doesn't cover any other view and does nothing to distinguish between actual discriminatory abuse (which is always unacceptable) and opposing viewpoints held respectfully. It thus fosters the very discriminatory attitude it condemns. I found it implied an unhelpful 'us and them' division, at one point effectively saying even police and government can oppose you. It mentions American cases where you are prevented from using the bathroom of the gender you identify with rather than your birth gender. This is explained purely in terms of wanting to pee and being prevented yet the issues are far deeper than simply wanting to pee but none of this is mentioned. It also mentions people sacked from jobs in America for being LGBTQI+ but doesn't mention people sacked or disciplined simply for not agreeing with LGBTQI+ views. If you're going to teach children this age about these issues then both sides should be represented in a fair way.

It tells children that they can get "special medicine" to help them transition but says nothing of the dangers this can cause. Most children who experience puberty naturally come to accept their birth gender and some of those who transition come to regret it but none of this is mentioned. It also talks about the girl/boy stereotype. This isn’t a stereotype it's a hard biological fact and established science. I agree with the title You Be You! in the sense that children should be allowed and encouraged to be themselves but to my mind this means letting them enjoy childhood without delving into gender issues they aren't yet capable of processing. I would only use this book as a reference guide and along side other opinions and actual testimonial views from all sides of the debate. The overall message is that no matter how you identify it's all great but actual testimony shows this is not always the case.

The issues the book deals with are real and need to be addressed and knowing and understanding the terminology is important. If this book had been balanced and included other opinions then I may have used it but as it stands it's too one sided and I'm afraid I can't recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for review copy.

There is a lot that’s good about this book. It is aiming to introduce children to some really important concepts. But I didn’t feel like the text or illustrations were particularly engaging, and struggle to see it doing much for children at the younger end of the age range mentioned (5-10). I feel like there may be better ways to introduce this information that would be more successful.

You Be You is a well-thought-out collection of social norms that should be taught to children ages 5 to 99. I read it to my son on first read. Although he’s 8 and his eyes glazed over at the parts about romance, I feel that the book is a wonderful foundation for any kid to learn how to treat and respect others no matter how they identify themselves.

I know this book is geared toward older children. However, I really feel like it's something all adults need to read, too. The concepts are simply written and easy to understand. The illustrations are beautiful and relevant. I know there is going to be some push-back, considering the topic. But, the underlying theme of the book is that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and kindness, something I would hope everyone could get behind.

This book should be a staple in all schools, and child / adult services. A few years ago we was told our autistic daughter had gender identity issues and could wish to change gender in the future, that was all we was give, no information, no booklet, no guide . nothing. This book is what we should have been pointed to.
Jonathan has written a brilliant book here that will greatly help children and adults in what can be a scary and difficult time. i also believe it could educate children at a younger age to the differences in people and ultimately increase support and understanding , and in turn reduce bullying, and discrimination.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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You Be You by Jonathon Branfman is a well researched book covering the various types of families and gender issues that are common in today's society. Although this book is categorized as children's non-fiction this reviewer believes it would be better suited as a reference book for parents or teachers. Pedagogy tells us that children will ask the questions which they are ready to hear the answers to. This reviewer believes the text of this book will open concepts to the child that they may not be ready to contemplate yet, thereby leading to further confusion in their minds.

This is a very encouraging book and gives great explanation and examples for kids to follow. Could be a little overwhelming for some, so parents should gauge their child's comprehension and may want to read with them. An important book to share.

This is a reassuring, optimistic, factual and supportive book that talks about gender identity. Terms are clearly defined, children are encouraged to be who they are and all topics are clearly explained. This book will be especially welcome to families whose children may not identify with the old girl/boy dichotomy of times past. It will be a good resource for school library shelves.

Branfman presents a well-researched non-fiction book, wonderfully illustrated by Benbassat. As a mother, I would not have read this to my five year old. The writing is too over their head, and so are the illustrations. Perhaps a better age would be 8-10. There are many aspects to the book I agree with, such as the key theme of "it's okay" to be you. This "you" includes likes, loves, interests, etc. However, there are several aspects that I disagree with (I understand the message, but still disagree). Overall, would I read this to my young child...no. I would want it read to my young child...no. Would I use it as a reference with an older child...maybe. There are some books out there that approach the same topic with less "them vs us".