A sweet and joyous tale about a biracial (Black and South Asian) transgender boy awaiting the birth of his new sibling, and using his gender identity as a source of strength and wisdom as he figures out how to be the best big brother he can be.
The book starts by explaining that everyone thought Aidan was a girl when he was born, but he later realized he was a boy. While “it took everyone some time to adjust,” his family was supportive and “learned a lot from other families with transgender kids like him” (a nice nod to the importance of community). The heart of the story, though, is not about Aidan’s transition, but rather about how he prepares to be a big brother, “an important job for a boy like him.”
What sets this book apart from many others about transgender or gender creative children is that rather than Aidan’s gender identity offering only challenges to be overcome, it is instead a source of strength and wisdom. Aidan’s interest in being a big brother stems from his desire “to make sure this baby would feel understood right away.” He recalls, too, “that it had been hard for his parents to let go of the name they gave him,” so he looks for names for his new sibling that would fit “no matter who they grew up to be.” Aidan also worries that his sibling won’t like the clothes and colors he picked out, but then reviews his own baby pictures, when he “looked so different.” He reflects that he “liked the boy he was growing into,” and that even if things aren’t perfect for his sibling at first, “maybe that was okay.” He’s experienced changes himself and knows it is possible to get through them.
Lukoff, who is transgender himself, deserves much praise for this lovely and empowering story. Juanita’s illustrations capture the emotions of Aidan and his family and add vibrant textures to the tale. This is a must-read book that should be on every LGBTQ-inclusive bookshelf.
Also available in Spanish as Cómo Aidan llegó a ser un hermano.
(Note that while this is a terrific book, it may not be what you want if you’re seeking books about a kid with LGBTQ parents who is getting a new sibling. See other books with the “Sibling (New)” tag to find those.)
