Over the last of couple years, I have tasked myself to learn more about trans individuals and their experiences. Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, especially in a religious home in the Midwest (Egads, my dad was a pastor!), the idea of being trans wasn’t even on my radar. No matter how much reading and getting to know trans people I do, there’s still so much to learn and understand. I wish I’d had a healthy learning experience starting when I was a child.
One of the things I have learned is that every trans man and woman’s journey is unique; there is no right or wrong way to be trans. We all have a different connection to and relationship with who we are and the world around us, and The Fox Who Became a Girl has, for me, opened new doorways of understanding into that experience.
The Fox Who Became a Girl is a graphic novel written for kids and younger teens and anyone who wants to grow their empathy! Written by Chloe Bear and illustrated by Orion Fern (both trans and queer), the story tells a whimsical fable about a fox who is drawn to a group of girls, one in particular, who he later befriends, slowly realizing that he, too, wants to be a girl.
The writing is really wonderful. Bear takes great care to let us know that wanting to be a girl (or boy) is enough. There’s no special magic, no trials, no heartaches, no conflict, no tests you have to pass—if that’s who you are, that’s who you are. Instead, the things that this little Fox needs are patience, love, and support to discover who they are. The world created here is one that we should strive to surround trans people with. It’s really a beautiful book in this regard, teaching things that I wish more people understood.
Fern’s art is really lovely. They bring us into the emotional journey of the Fox by humanizing the Fox’s emotions and transformation in such fun and cathartic ways. The world surrounding Fox is full of so many colors, often times reflecting Fox’s journey. The color of the falls leaves, the blue of sadness; pink, blue, and purple being very important colors in this book. I also loved the work on the fonts!
Whether this book is the beginning of your or someone’s journey into understanding and growing empathy for trans and queer people or a piece of the growing puzzle, it’s absolutely worth a look. Plus, a portion of all sales will benefit the trans community!
Creative Team: Chloe Bear (writer), Orion Fern (illustrator, letterer, editor, designer)
Click here to purchase.
