Inclusive pronouns are learned alongside the alphabet in this joyously illustrated take on the classic ABC book.They, She, He easy as ABC shows that including everyone is all part of the dance. It’s easy. It’s fundamental. As the dance begins the kids proclaim, “No one left out and everyone free,” in a sing-song rhyme about inclusion. This sets the stage for readers to meet 26 kids showing us their dance moves.“Ari loves to arabesque. They hold their pose with ease. Brody is a break dancer. Brody loves to freeze.” Fast-paced rhyming keeps the flow of text upbeat and rhythmic, and naturally models how to use a wide range of pronouns. There’s no room for stereotypes on THIS dance floor with spirited imagery that keeps names, clothes, hair and behavior fresh and diverse. The combination creates a playful and effortless practice to expand ideas about gender while learning the alphabet and makes being inclusive as easy as A-B-C.This book continues the work started in They She He Me: Free to Be!, also by Maya & Matthew, and what School Library Journal called “a gorgeous and much-needed picture book about pronouns and gender fluidity.” Both books provide a way to build on gender inclusive practices, and help interrupt the formalization of gender stereotypes and assumptions.
