I have many gender diverse friends, and, in fact, have always had them for my entire adult life.
It has just been an acceptance, in just the same way that a friend might
have brown hair or blue eyes – just who they are. I also have quite a few
friends with children, young adults, who are part of the LGBTQ community.
Had I been asked a few months ago, I would have said that Australia has come a long way in our acceptance and understanding of gender diversity but with the very obvious rise in acts of intolerance, hate speech and actions, and even those in power with a bigoted agenda, I have real concerns for the inclusivity of which we, the majority, have embraced.
Poet and artist, Rae White, who is themself non-binary
transgender, has created a gentle introduction for younger children to help
them understand the differences that many children experience, when it comes to
defining their gender.
Sometimes Jem wants to wear dresses, sometimes
they want to wear old jeans, sometimes they feel like a girl and other times
they feel like a boy. When their PE teacher says the world is black and white,
and can't be changed - the sky and sea are blue, the grass and trees are green,
Jem knows that's not so. Jem sees the evening sky blazing pink and orange and
the autumn trees full of golden and brown leaves.
Luckily,
Jem's mum is a very wise and understanding mother. She lets Jem know that they
can choose their own colours and be their own self. And she also reminds Jem,
that no matter what, they are loved, just as they are.
It's a powerful and pertinent message for the
parlous times in which we live. Rae White has expressed it without undue drama
or didacticism, and Sha'an D'anthes illustrations are joyful and as colourful as
rainbows themselves.
Now more than ever, we MUST be guiding our
youngsters to a place of acceptance and tolerance. I cannot underline that
enough so I trust that this important book will find its place on your shelves,
in your classrooms and libraries to be shared with your Smalls from around 5
years upwards.
I give it a 5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 rating.
Title: All The Colours Of The Rainbow
Author: Rae White
Illustrator: Sha'an D'anthes
Publisher: Hachette Australia Lothian Children’s Books Imprint $24.99
Date of Publication: 29 January 2025
ISBN: 9780734423061
Format: Hardcover
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
