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In a world where media often depicts families as primarily white, cisgender, and heterosexual, it is crucial to highlight diverse family experiences. That’s precisely what activist and author Jodie Taylor aimed to achieve with her book, “Born Ready: The Inspiring Journey of a Boy Named Penelope,” which draws from her own family’s narrative. This picture book tells the story of Penelope, a five-year-old who loves skateboarding and playing ninja, but has a significant secret: he identifies as a boy and yearns for his family to recognize him as such. Through this book, Taylor is expanding the representation of transgender experiences for children and their families.
“I hope ‘Born Ready’ transcends boundaries. I want families that might not identify as trans or Black to read it,” Taylor shared in a conversation. As a parent without any immediate trans family members, I strive to raise my child to understand the broader world that exists beyond our own. We’ve discussed the gender spectrum for years, yet it can be challenging for him to visualize concepts that aren’t present in his life. Books like Born Ready serve as vital tools for representation, particularly for Black children, allowing them to see themselves reflected in the story. My son connects with Penelope, as they both cherish their mothers, enjoy playing with friends, and love the idea of being ninjas.
A poignant moment in Born Ready portrays Penelope as he seeks his mother’s understanding by pressing his head against hers to share his “ninja powers” of insight. This tender scene captures the vulnerability of both Penelope and his mother, who must unlearn her previous notions about her child. “I was free falling. The person I could reach out to was my child,” Taylor explained.
Another touching moment occurs when Penelope reveals his identity to his grandfather, who readily embraces this new reality. When I inquired about how that moment unfolded in real life, Taylor candidly shared, “We asked him to shift his language from female to male pronouns. In his Twi language, gender pronouns aren’t used, so it was simple for him. We found a way to approach a complex topic.”
Taylor’s son, who now prefers to be called Penel outside the context of the book, played an active role in shaping the narrative. “All my children contributed to this story. I observed them closely and noted their actions. When it came time to write the book, they helped me find the right words and ensure that our diverse skin tones and hair textures were accurately represented,” Taylor noted.
The mission behind Born Ready is to inspire readers to engage in conversations about radical parenting. Taylor hopes this book encourages a new approach to parenting that is flexible and compassionate, allowing families to grow together. “I want to create a movement where we embrace radical parenting, nurturing each other even when it doesn’t seem clear,” she expressed.
More than anything, Taylor wants Born Ready to convey a message of solidarity. “I wrote this for Black trans kids and mothers raising them. I see you, I stand with you, and I’m here for you.”
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Summary
Born Ready: The Inspiring Journey of a Boy Named Penelope offers an essential perspective on family diversity and transgender representation for children. Authored by Jodie Taylor, the book illustrates the journey of a young boy named Penelope as he seeks recognition from his family. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and acceptance, aiming to inspire conversations around radical parenting and community support.
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