Oh, my heart. This book. This is one of those rare gems you uncover that surprises you in the absolute best way. At first glance this may look like a normal children's book, but it is so much more than that. This story was spectacular and I loved every moment of my time reading it. From the second I opened the cover to the point I put it down, I kept thinking about how excited I was to have the chance to read and review it.

Incredible, detailed illustrations accompany Nisha's story. Nisha has a monster that follows her. It used to be small and manageable, but lately things are making it grow. As it grows, Nisha feels less like herself. Eventually, Nisha meets a transgender man who explains what is happening to Nisha. When Nisha embraces her true identity, she flourishes and thrives. She is happy and free and her monster is gone.

The monster reminded me of the black shadow of depression that LGBTQ children can struggle with when they are unable to be their true selves. They battle families and friends not accepting who they are, medical procedures and a society that does not often see value in their lives. This book is an inspiring and affirming tale that tells children they belong here, they are loved and they will be accepted by many. It embraces gender identity and teaches children to be true to themselves.

This is the perfect book for discussing gender dysphoria with children. In simple terms, the book clearly explains what it is and how children and their families can come together to support each other through an often challenging process. It also includes an accompanying guide for parents with further information about gender dysphoria, terminology, and first-hand examples of the author's own experiences.

I have so many words, and somehow none of them can describe my love for this book. I cried, smiled and had my heart swell all in a sweet 40 pages. I am someone who experiences gender dysphoria and this author did a fantastic job at describing exactly how it feels. This book should be used for transgender education for everyone! Also I am in love with the educational terms & Q&A at the end of the book. It was a beautiful and normally overlooked touch! Well done!

A short but important read. This story is informative and will maybe help some kids see themselves represented. Not only that it can also help other kids understand gender dysphoria a bit better.
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, I cried. This really is beautiful, and explains gender dysphoria in such an interesting and easy to follow way. This book will help children, and their parents understand what it means to be trans. I also really loved the terminology and FAQ section at the back of the book to provide further opportunities to learn.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely exceptional!

Through the child's eyes of Nisha, author Laura Kate Dale, explores the intricate and delicate topic of gender dysphoria, and how it can affect the mental health of a child who feels they are the wrong gender.

Though simple in delivery, coupled with the amazing illustrations of Hui Qing Ang, Nisha takes us through her journey of self awareness, and standing up for herself and how see feels and identifies as a person.

I love the adult guide at the back with some of the main terms and definitions centred around being transgender and transitioning. I know many adults who still struggle with these terms, and what they mean to them and others around them. It took me a long time to understand where I stood on the gender spectrum (Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming), with continued dysphoria even today.

Even if a child is not experiencing gender dysphoria, this is a must read for all children and their parents/guardians. I certainly wish I had Nisha's story when I was a child. I believe wholeheartedly in being shown that Nisha, and others like her, is okay and perfectly normal, will help foster in others kindness and compassion. And we need more of that.

Me and My Dysphoria Monster is a lovely book which tells the story of gender identity. I read it to my son who is 5 and although he did not fully understand the topic he enjoyed the story and started to ask questions afterwards.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Kingsley Publishers for my ARC.

what a cute and heartwarming story about queerness for child. the narrative is not too much but straight to hit the point. the illustrations are very cute too. i like it

A sweet, heartwarming story of gender identity that shows how being true to yourself is absolutely wonderful. It also shows the importance of having positive family support as a child figures out their identity. The art is lovely and there is a great resource guide for adults at the end. Would recommend for any family with little kids!

A short but informative read on trans acceptance and transitioning.

This is the kind of book we seriously need readily available to youth, it’s colourful with beautiful imagery and tackles subjects such as dysphoria in a really clear to understand way.

The book itself looks into causes of gender dysphoria, representing them as a shadow ‘monster’ that grows throughout.

It also tackles how this dysphoria can be aided and remedied, such as through pronoun and name changes as well as clothing etc.

It’s also a pretty helpful tool for adults looking for a clear way to understand the trans community, as well as some of the larger issues faced (such as swimming.)

All in all I wish I had this book as a child. It’s a great uplifting read that brings with it a feeling of care and acceptance.

Rep/ AMAB trans girl MC. AFAB adult trans rep (man).

Tw/ dysphoria.

Wow, what an important read and excellent resource for helping children (and adults!) understand gender dysphoria. I love how things are explained in such a simple and easy-to-understand yet engaging manner. The illustrations are stunning too. Every library and classroom should have a copy of this book.

This book serves as a good way to introduce children to the concept of gender dysphoria, as well as a great resource for parents (especially parents who may not be trans themselves) to introduce their children to the topic. Discussing things like gender dysphoria can be difficult to do with a kid--more difficult than gender identity. This approaches the topic in a way that doesn't make gender dysphoria into this horrific thing (which I know many cis parents might think it is). It shows children and parents how to recognize it and talk about it. I love that everyone in the book is accepting of her identity--affirming trans joy is something wonderful.

When I started, I was a little worried about the depiction of dysphoria as a monster. However, I think it was handled well, and didn't mythologize or make dysphoria this horrifying, consumptive thing; instead it is simply a physical representation of Nisha's dysphoria.

The art is really cute--I especially love the axolotl, and the yellow sea creatures which (I think) might be meant to represent gender euphoria or affirmation in gender identity (as both Jack and the adult Nisha have one). Great representation.

The only small criticism I have comes at the end of the book, with the terms to help adults. I think most of it is really good, and provides a fantastic positive starting out point for parents who might not be already involved in the community. I do think the definition of gender is a little short--the sections on sex and such are much longer, and do explain that these things are different, but I do think that explaining gender a little more could help out with showing the differences between the two. I also think that mentioning that dysphoria isn't a prerequisite for being trans or that dysphoria may show up later in life would be useful.

I LOVED this book!!!! I am so happy this is being published!! So many people need to see and read this book! It’s so hard to help kids transition through this period because they are so scared and to see others and hear about others means the world to them! This was written so well and really speaks to the reader! The best part is the adult guide in the back so you can not only read them a story about them so they see they are not alone but also teach them correctly instead of second hand help!

A wonderful book that is sure to help any child battling dysphoria. It is encouraging and affirmative, putting it into a simpler perspective that can help ease anxiety.

This is a wonderful story that really helps illustrate how difficult it can be to have dysphoria. The illustrations do a beautiful job of conveying this message and the storyline is also beautiful. The questions in the back are wonderful and really explain more about gender and the LGBTQIA+ community in general for the adults.

This is a cute, beautiful, positive and necessary story! (with also beautiful illustrations!) I want every child to read this (also the FAQ at the end is very helpful)

This is a beautiful picture book to explain dysphoria to kids. I really liked the illustrations and the writing style in most of the book. In the middle there was a bit with a lot more factual information that didn’t really match the rest of the book and I didn’t like as much, but it is still valuable information. I also really liked that there was a guide for parents in the back as well to provide answers to some common questions and concerns.

My sister and I read this book to her kids and they really loved the art and the explanation of gender and gender expression. Very well done and very well written in a way for children to comprehend.

This was really cute and delightful and perfect! I really enjoyed reading it as a trans adult, and hope that parents of young children pick it up so that their children can learn about their own (and others') experiences and have words to help them communicate these feelings. Additionally, I love the hope in the story: a young trans child hearing this story is being a shown support, and comfort, and, most importantly, a future. The art is also precious!

I love this book so so much. Nisha has a monster that comes out when people call her a boy, or use he/him pronouns, etc. It is something she struggles with on a daily basis and makes her very sad. One day her parents introduce her to one of their friends who also had a monster and they explain how to help the monster grow smaller.

The art is gorgeous. The language is kid friendly. And equally important, is the information for adults in the back of the book that includes definitions and has questions and answers.

This is a book that I want in my classroom library and for my future children.

Another adorable, accessible read for young kids to introduce them to concepts that can be hard to explain or provide words and terms to validate their feelings. I love how the author used the actual terms for dysphoria and included a glossary/FAQ to help educate families. The artwork is super cute, and I loved all the imagery to represent the gender dysphoria Nisha was feeling.

The ending felt a little rough. This is a childrens' book, so a really solid ending isn't really necessary, but I think I would have preferred it to either end with Nisha as a child or another page or two before the "I am an adult!"

I really liked this and definitely would use it with young students that experience gender dysphoria or for other young kids that want to understand how peers are feeling.