This Guide to Gender Expression Is the Book for Youth Everyone Needs

From author-illustrator of What Is A Refugee? Elise Gravel, and transgender activist Mykaell Blais comes PINK, BLUE, AND YOU!  a much-needed introduction to gender expression.

Simple, accessible, and direct, this picture book is perfect for kids and parents or teachers to read together, opening the door to conversations about gender stereotypes and everyone’s right to be their true selves. With its simple language, vibrant illustrations, engaging backmatter that showcases how “appropriate” male and female fashion has changed through history, and even a poster kids can hang on their wall, PINK, BLUE, AND YOU! is the ideal tool to help in conversations about a multi-layered and important topic.

About PINK, BLUE, AND YOU!:

Is it okay for boys to cry? Can girls be strong? Should girls and boys be given different toys to play with and different clothes to wear? Should we all feel free to love whoever we choose to love? In this incredibly kid-friendly and easy-to-grasp picture book, author-illustrator Elise Gravel and transgender collaborator Mykaell Blais raise these questions and others relating to gender roles, acceptance, and stereotyping.

ELISE GRAVEL (she/her) is the creator the Olga series and the Disgusting Critters series as well as I Want a Monster, The Cranky Ballerina, and What Is a Refugee?, which School Library Journal called “effective and compassionate.” Elise studied graphic design at Le Collège d’Enseignement Général et Professional and has since published numerous picture books, including La clé à molette, which won the Governor General’s Literary Award for illustration. Her books have been translated into twelve languages. Elise is inspired by social causes and lives in Montreal with her husband and two children.  

MYKAELL BLAIS (he/him) works as a training coordinator for GRIS-Quebec, the Research and Social Intervention Group, a nonprofit community organization and support program for LGBTQ+ kids and young adults. It aims to demystify stereotypes about sexual orientation and gender identity by raising awareness in schools. Being a transmasculine person himself, Mykaell would have loved to read this book in his youth, to celebrate his uniqueness. Learn more at grisquebec.org.