“In this era of gender revolution, A House for Everyone reminds us that gender isn’t two boxes but a rainbow with room for children of every gender. Jo Hirst’s brilliant book teaches all our children about gender identity and gender expressions while celebrating gender acceptance – let’s bring it to every classroom and household.”
Diane Ehrensaft, Ph.D., author of the Gender Creative Child and Gender Born, Gender Made and Director of Mental Health of the Child and Adolescent Gender Center
“A House for Everyone is a poignant, powerful and needed addition to our homes, schools and libraries. Through its diverse characters and message of inclusion, A House for Everyone helps to open hearts, change minds, and build a world where no child is limited in their expression and potential.”
Sarah McBride, author of Tomorrow Will Be Different – Love, Loss and the Fight for Trans Equality
“A House for Everyone is a beautiful book for children that shows children of all gender identities just being children. A community of young people working together to achieve something before running for the monkey bars as a group. A diverse range of identities aren’t just tolerated, they’re truly included. This book is a resource for parents to understand gender identity in many of its expressions and to read with their little ones to show just how little that matters to being friends with other.”
Susanne Legena CEO Plan International Australia
“A House for Everyone is a much needed book, so vital in developing mindsets of flexibility, acceptance and inclusion around gender in our next generation of adults and potential world leaders. This is the kind of preventative tool we need to combat bullying and exclusion towards young people who depart from traditional, rigid and harmful ideas about gender and it’s expression. Jo Hirst manages to convey so much in her delightful and engaging story of children building something together. If this publication was used in all schools and homes, perhaps more children could grow up to build a world of inclusion and equality.”
Ursula Benstead, Psychologist, Creator of The Shark Cage: A human rights approach to gender violence
“It is refreshing to see all aspects of gender identity not only represented but celebrated in this charming, warm story. In a fast changing and binary world, this reminds us that the basis for happiness is being allowed to be who you really are, and this book delivers that message without preaching or dictating. I would like to see this in the library of all schools, reinforcing that gender is not as simple as boys and girls, and that acknowledging and respecting this does not harm any of us, as members of the human race.”
Susie Green, CEO Memaids UK
“Hirst has hit it out of the park again. Her first book, The Gender Fairy, introduced readers to an understanding of gender diversity that moved beyond standard tropes of transgender people’s lives. Her second book, A House for Everyone, takes this a step further by introducing readers to a group of young characters diverse in their genders, but united by a shared project. The diversity of characters explored by Hirst takes the ‘transgender tipping point’ beyond binary lives, exploring also lives lived beyond the gender binary. For this Hirst is to be thoroughly congratulated, and this book commended.”
Damien W. Riggs, Flinders University, author (with Clare Bartholomaeus) of Transgender People and Education (Palgrave, 2017)
“I am so glad that this book exists. A House for Everyone provides an example of what children’s literature can achieve as literally a house for every child to feel seen and represented as they explore the wider world with wonder and imagination. As five kids team up to build their ultimate play house, we learn that when people’s differences are celebrated, wonderful things can happen.”
Lucy Thomas, co- founder/ co-CEO, Project Rockit
“What might it feel like to be a transgender child? How do you make sense of your world when it doesn’t to be a boy or a girl as you are told you are? Imagine as you begin to play and interact that you might fail to meet others expectations from the very start. When everyone else seems to find living as a boy or a girl so easy, how do you cope with feeling you are the only one who is different?
As a Paediatrician and the Director of the Gender Service at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne I meet many children who have experienced these difficulties. I also see parents and families who want the best for their child and who love them unconditionally but struggle to know how to help them. Parents may be grappling with their own feelings around gender expectations whilst trying to protect their children in a society which demands gender conformity.
Jo Hirst’s wonderful first book asks us to think about theses important questions. As the parent of a young transgender child she has valuable insights that we can all learn from. Every family’s story is different but finding understanding through listening to a child’s thoughts and feelings is a message that is fundamental.
As a children’s book it approaches complex subject matter with a beautiful simplicity. It will be of great assistance to gender diverse children in finding acceptance. It will help other children understand too. Most significantly, this book provides parents with a thoughtful way to communicate these difficult issues with their children, helping families find understanding together.”
Associate Professor Michelle Telfer MBBS (Hons.) FRAP Paediatrician Director, The Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service, Melbourne, Australia.
Jo Hirst’s Gender Fairy introduces young people to the radical notion that they deserve to be loved and respected for whoever they are at heart. A book I wish I’d had growing up, The Gender Fairy is a bright, colourful and hopeful tale that teaches us that we should not be limited by strict gender rules.”
Nevo Zisin: Author, Educator, Public Speaker
Purchase a copy of the highly acclaimed children’s book “The Gender Fairy”. Experts have praised this work and it’s potential help and educate transgender children, their peers, educators and parents.
“A Story to Help Children Learn about Gender Identity and Gender Expression”. This book belongs in every child’s library. Order your copy of this highly praised book through your local book store or visit Amazon.com
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