Payden’s Pronoun Party

K-Gr 4–Payden has always been a “he,” but meets different people who have figured out their pronouns and so listens hard for the one that may be a better fit. It’s not easy. Along the way, Payden’s parents provide full support of both the process and the outcome, and the illustrations are just as positive and upbeat. For any library that has received requests for kid-friendly books to help understand the importance of pronouns, this book fits the bill. The author gives an age-appropriate look into the process of determining one’s preferred pronouns and also provides a nice blueprint for helping families navigate the process. Payden works through personal questions with the help of the parents, and they celebrate the answers together with friends and a dress-up party. Whimsical illustrations help elucidate complex topics and make the story fun for readers as young as kindergarten.