One sunny day, Lani and Eli were playing in the park. Lani loved to play with her toy trucks, and Eli wore a bright yellow cape. Some kids came over and laughed, saying trucks were for boys and capes were just for superheroes. Lani and Eli felt confused but kept playing happily together. That's when an elderly man sat beside them and whispered, 'There’s no one way to be normal.'

Different But the Same

Anna and Bill went to visit a city festival. They saw dancers dressed in all kinds of costumes—some with long skirts, others in suits. 'Girls wear skirts, right?' Anna asked, puzzled. Bill shrugged, 'But see how happy they all are? Maybe everyone can wear what they like!' Both of them giggled, realizing that clothes didn’t change who you were inside.

Exploring Identity

Rayana and Kyle were talking about their favorite colors. Rayana loved blue, while Kyle liked pink. 'I thought pink was a girl’s color!' Rayana exclaimed. Kyle smiled, 'Colors don’t know if you’re a boy or girl—they’re just colors!' This made Rayana think about the toys she liked, and she realized that all toys could be fun, no matter who played with them.

Discovering Colors and Toys

Eli, Lani, Anna, Bill, and their friends decided to start a club at school. They called it 'The Be You Club.' Everyone was welcome, no matter what they liked or how they dressed. As more kids joined, they learned from each other. The world felt warm and full of exciting differences. They understood that being different was truly special, and kindness was their superpower.

Beyond Labels

full body wearing school uniform looking curious

A 5-year-old Asian girl with medium brown hair, dressed in a school uniform, exuding a curious demeanor

Lani

A curious 5-year-old European boy with short red hair, dressed in a school uniform

Kyle

A 5-year-old Middle Eastern boy with short black hair, dressed in a school uniform, exhibiting a curious demeanor

A curious 4-year-old Indian girl with medium-length black hair, dressed in a school uniform

Rayana

A 6-year-old Latino girl with medium-length blonde hair, dressed in a school uniform, exuding curiosity

Anna

A 7-year-old African-American boy, bald and wearing a school uniform, exuding curiosity

Bill

A 54 year old Asian man with short blonde hair and a tattoo

girl

These three stories help children explore the idea of gender in a simple and meaningful way. Each story teaches an important lesson about being yourself and accepting others. 
In Story 1, Lani and Kai question what people call “normal.” They learn that there isn’t just one “right” way to do things and that everyone should be free to be themselves. In Story 2, Anna and Bill meet people who express their identities in different ways. They learn that gender isn’t just about being a boy or a girl, everyone has their own way of expressing who they are. In Story 3, Eli and Rayana thought that toys, colors, and dreams are affiliated with gender and that some of these things are exclusive for boys or girls only. But as the story continues, they realize that people have believed certain ideas for a long time–thus creating societal norms. Toys, colors, and dreams aren’t just for boys or girls. These things are genderless.
Together, these stories will help children understand that gender is more than just being a boy or a girl—it’s about how we see ourselves and how we express who we are. These stories will encourage kids to be open-minded and be respectful to others. Most importantly, this reminds children that being different is what makes the world special!
