Me and My Dysphoria Monster: An Empowering Story to Help Children Cope with Gender Dysphoria

by Laura Kate Dale (Author) Hui Qing Ang (Illustrator)

Me and My Dysphoria Monster: An Empowering Story to Help Children Cope with Gender Dysphoria
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

'An empowering read' SABAH CHOUDREY

'My new favourite children's book!' FOX FISHER

Nisha's monster follows her everywhere. It used to be small, but recently her monster has begun to grow. And as her monster gets bigger and bigger, Nisha feels more and more unlike herself. When people refer to her as a boy, or when she tries to hide her true gender identity, Nisha's dysphoria monster grows larger and larger. Until, one day, Nisha meets Jack - a trans man - who shows Nisha how she can shrink her dysphoria monster back down to size.

This touching story is the perfect book for discussing gender dysphoria with children, explaining what it is and how they and their families can deal with it. 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.

Select format:
Hardcover
$19.95

Kirkus

A charming book for trans kids and those seeking to build understanding.

Publishers Weekly

ender nonconforming child Nisha, depicted with brown skin, learns to follow the compass of her inner voice in this picture book that visualizes gender dysphoria as a scribbly blue "monster." Nisha's loving family and friends can't see the dark, amorphous entity that grows larger when she feels gender dysphoria--"When someone refers to me as a boy," when she is told to use the boys' restroom, and when she visits the beach. That is, until Jack, a trans adult who peacefully coexists with his dysphoria monster, explains: "Our monster is that little voice that knows who we are, and who we want to be when we grow up." Ang's saturated illustrations depict the child's day-to-day, and the strength gained in speaking with a queer elder, as Nisha starts living authentically, adjusting her gender presentation, pronouns, and name, and learning to see the "monster" as information. Back matter includes a comprehensive terminology guide for adult readers. Ages 6-10. (Aug.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

This adorable story perfectly illustrates what it's like to be a trans child. Even my dysphoria monster approves!

Often kid's books rely on outdated stereotypes to explain trans issues. This beautifully illustrated, age appropriate trans themed book is a breath of fresh air. This story will tickle the imaginations of all children while helping them to understand what it's like to grow up as trans. My new favourite children's book!

—Fox Fisher, author of the Trans Survival Workbook
Laura Kate Dale
Laura Kate Dale is a queer trans woman and author, who uses She / Her pronouns. Laura lives near London, UK, with her cat Smudge, and her wife Jane. When Laura isn't writing she loves to play roller derby, and play video games with her friends.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781839970924
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
N/A
Publication date
August 18, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Library of Congress categories
-

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