About the Book:
A transgender ant feels frustrated because her body looks red, but she dreams of being indigo-colored instead. A cisgender turtle wants to try to jump so high she touches the sky.
When they meet, the ant is torn between revealing her true identity and staying safe, so she introduces herself as Can’t the red ant. The turtle is full of enthusiasm and encouragement, but the ant remains skeptical. Woven with lessons learned from the non-binary grasshopper, will the turtle ever get the ant to jump? Will the ant find the courage to reveal her true self?
This first book of the “Gender Rainbow” series is a two-part rhyming story filled with lessons in friendship and an I CAN attitude.
Distribution Links:
Friesen Press (Canada), Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Adlibris.com/se (Sweden), Amazon.co.uk
E-book available from: Freisen Press Website, Kindle, Google, Itunes
Creation of the Story - Background of the Characters
When my niece was turning 7, I decided to write her a story as a birthday present and that was the first version of Part 1 of my story. Jumping so high you touch the sky - was a metaphor for going after your dreams. Several years went by and I picked up my story again and asked the question why the ant didn’t want to try something new. And that’s when the idea of the ant being transgender came about and Part 2 of the story. I thought maybe if you are not able to share your real identity with the world, that might also make you worried about trying new things.
I am not trans or nonbinary, but I have many friends and family who are and as i realized how few children’s books had characters like this in them, I decided to make each of the 7 characters a different color of the rainbow and a different gender. That’s when the Gender Rainbow series was born. (A short description of each character is listed below.) The snake sings to help the turtle in the story heal. The song here is a mantra used in many cultures around the world for healing - Om Mani Padme Hum. I have started the work to create an album of songs to go with the stories as well.
The letter to the readers at the end was inspired by talking with trans and non-binary friends who shared their experiences. I want this to be a book that helps kids who are a friend to a trans or non-binary kid, to show them how to be helpful and also normalize sharing our gender and pronouns. And I also wanted the letter to readers to serve as a chance for a kid who is questioning their gender, to have a starting point of conversation with their parents or other trusted adults in their lives.
1. Brawn the red beetle- (He - Cisgender Male) symbol of strength. He has wings that don’t work right.
2. Blaze the orange butterfly (He- Transgender Male) - helps to develop creativity.
3. Glad Gold the grasshopper (They -Non-binary) older character, all about joy and possibility. Drawn with a gold sun medallion around the neck.
4.Sparkle the green snake (She- Intersex) -healer who sings.
5. True Blue the turtle (She - Cisgender Female) - the faithful friend - unconditional love - speaking your truth. Has a flower(yellow sunflower) behind the ear.
(1. Can’t the red ant (changes to)
6.Indigo Can the ant (She- Transgender Female)- learning to be who you are --intuition, wisdom.
7. Clear Dreamer the dragonfly (Ze/He/She -Gender-Fluid) -reminding you to go after your dreams and use your imagination.
About the Author:
Leah Irby remarked to her future husband, when first meeting him on the dance floor, that she could see herself living in Stockholm someday. With a detour first to India, her life would eventually take her to Sweden where she lives with her family today. Leah spent many years as an orchestra teacher in the United States, helping children find their unique voice and a place to belong. Dancing lindy hop, playing viola, and hanging out with swans are a few of her favorite things. As a solo recording artist, she continues to use music to heal and inspire.
Leah Irby (She/Her)
- Violist & Children's Book Author
- Music to Heal & Inspire
- Gender Rainbow Books & Music with Trans & Non-binary Characters
About the Illustrator:
Jessica Gamboa creates art from her home in Argentina, but dreams of traveling the world with her pencil, watercolors and digital canvas. She graduated from art school in Buenos Aires with a focus on children’s book illustration. She is the illustrator of Noodle Monster by Sarah Quirk and half a dozen other stories.
First, I want to thank Author Leah Irby, Illustrator Jessica Gamboa and
Friesen Press for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
Can’t Transitions To Can by Leah Irby and Jessica Gamboa is a very well written book that is fun and has incredibly important messages. I can see parents discussing many topics in this book with their children. I also feel that it could be useful in health classes for children.
Leah would like to dedicate this book to E.I. May you always feel free you jump so high you touch the sky! She would also like to dedicate this book to E.I.B. She thanks you for creating the rainbow road and inspiring everyone with your joy.
Can’t Transitions To Can is unlike many children's books for many reasons. This book has not one but two parts. Leah also writes a very sweet note at the end of the book. Plus, she includes some of her own music in the back of the book.
Jessica’s illustrations were so vibrant, colorful, lifelike and made the story pop. I know kids young and old would love the characters in the book.
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