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.

What a delightful book. Presented in a format and language children are used to and can understand. Written in a lovely straightforward, honest and caring way. I read if first and then to the children who were only concerned that the main character was sad and could be bullied by mean people at school. I'm sure there will be more questions and hope that I can answer them in the compassionate way this book was presented.

Nisha doesn't feel comfortable when being referred to as a boy and views that feeling as a personal monster. It's always there and grows after every time it happens. Then Nisha meets Jack- a transman that shows her how to make it better.

Throughout are captivatingly bold and colourful images. Every character has clear facial expressions, which are helpful for young readers. It's striking to see the broad smiles on everyone's faces as it emphasises how Nisha is feeling and that many are not trying to be mean- they just don't know what's happening. Then, after they know, it makes no difference to them and they're still happy.

The text is always situated in a blank area on the page so it is clear to read. It's interesting to see this dysphoric feeling being described and anthropomorphised as a monster. Along with the illustrations, it makes for striking imagery.

I would say that I disagree with the wording as to why Nisha has a monster, specifically as to stating the doctor was wrong at the child's birth. I can see where this comes from but it does have the tone of shifting the blame to someone else, as opposed to recognising that issue is in the person but can be improved. The discussion with Jack is good in this; he doesn't claim that everything will be fine, there will still be difficulties (the monster is still there) but it's easier (the monster gets smaller).

At the end is a collection of terminology, descriptions and questions for adults to use and consider, including experiences from the author. This is useful but should be regarded alongside other resources for a balanced and well-informed viewpoint.

This is a lovely picture book about a child experiencing dysphoria from being misgendered. The book explains in a very educational and child friendly way the type of situations where this occurs and how it makes the child feel. I loved the metaphor of the monster following the child around and the pictures really helped to show the impact all of these seemingly small actions had on the child, by feeding the monster. Being a children’s book, of course everything works out in the end after the child gets some adult guidance and support.

This book should be read to all children, whether they have given any indication that they might be trans or not, to help them understand this important topic. As an adult reader I really appreciated the last few pages with information for grown-ups. Although I had some knowledge on this topic already, I still learned something new and for someone who is very new to the terminology around gender it makes a good place to start.

I really loved this book! The way that it explained trans people and how they feel is amazing and the illustrations were also wonderful. This is a great read!

This book would help many kids who are experiencing dysphoria as well as though those who might be around others who are experiencing it. I think it helps the reader understand more what people may be feeling.

A wonderful introduction for children on gender identity. I was glad to see the inclusion of non binary identities as well. The artwork is beautiful, diverse, and engaging and I loved the inclusion of a parents guide with resources and more information.

My one issue is with one particular sentence: “Our monster is that little voice that knows who we are, and who we want to be when we grow up, and it doesn’t like to be ignored!” Throughout the book I felt that the monster represented societal expectations and how those made transgender and non conforming children feel, but this sentence makes it seem like it’s the little voice inside that helps you stay true to yourself, and I don’t like the connotation of that voice being a “monster” that needs to go away. That voice is good and right, and it’s society that makes it difficult to listen to the voice, not the voice itself.

Despite this, I would be very likely to recommend. This book is important for kids who experience gender dysphoria, of course, but also kids who don’t. If we want to raise empathetic children they have to understand how others feel and are treated, even when they themselves don’t experience these things. Books like this will lead us into a more accepting society.

THIS BOOK IS SO CUTE.

The art, the story, everything. I loved especially seeing the supportive parents and euphoric ending. Laura Kate Dale took a topic that some adults probably would struggle to explain and made it into a children's book that is not only easy to digest, but also really authentic too.

I can't wait to gift this one when it comes out this fall!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced review copy!

Nisha has a monster, a monster that won't go away. When people call her a boy, it gets bigger and bigger until it's overwhelming. However, when she meets a man named Jack, who went through the same thing, she learns how to shrink—and live with—her monster.

This is a book I think will help quite a few kids in the future. The art is beautiful, especially how the artist depicted the monster itself. I also loved seeing Jack acting as a mentor or guide to Nisha.

I wish the book would have explained what it means to be "referred to by x/y/z pronouns." I think it might be clearer to kids to show that, like "I feel happy when people call me 'she.'" rather than use the phrase "she/her/hers pronouns." However, with a grown-up to explain it, this shouldn't be an issue to even really young children.

As a transgender person with dysphoria, I can say that this does an impeccable job of explaining what dysphoria is, the impact it has, and how to help minimize it. It would be a great tool for teaching youth about dysphoria to help them identify it within themselves or better understand how to address it in others, but this book would also be a great tool for adults with the resources included. The art is beautiful, the language used is easy to understand, and the content is broken down in a simple way. Though every transgender person's experience is different, this book does an amazing job of explaining the basics.

A really wonderful book that explains dysphoria to kids (and adults). The illustrations are wonderful and the story makes this topic easy to understand. I'm really glad I came across this book and can't wait to share it with others.