God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender (God Made Me)

Besides being transphobic, it is also ableist. So a child with Down's Syndrome isn't male or female? They are just beings to be treated condecendingly? Jesus treated all with love and respect. Definitely not any of that here.

Christian families with adult children in today’s culture can find themselves facing an unprecedented dilemma. Mr. Machowski, thank you for this project. I expect it will help many children and their families.I expect it will help ours.

As adult prodigals “come out” or adult children marry spouses with trans-siblings, families are driven to their knees, seeking wisdom in how to convey the twin realities of truth and love, even as they sort through their own grief and confusion.

Transgendered people typically demand that people in their lives call them by their new gendered names and begin using new gendered pronouns. Failure to go along with these demands often results in family members being rejected, told they are no longer “safe.”

But what if some family members go along with the demands and others don’t? And what about pictures on the wall and in the albums of the aunt or uncle when she or he was growing up? And now looks like the opposite gender? What do we tell little ones just learning to talk to call these trans aunts and uncles?

This book doesn’t answer these questions. But it is a start in the right direction of helping children understand.

While it may be more geared to kindergarten and elementary-aged kids, it won’t stop us from reading it to our one-year old. We began reading The Chronicles of Narnia to our kids when our oldest was 22 months, (no pictures!! Just his imagination!!) and he would beg for another chapter.

Which brings me to the reason for the 4 star review. If a toddler can keep up with a story like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, with no pictures, shouldn’t a children’s book WITH pictures be just as engaging?

This book starts like a story and then switches to more of an info dump. The way the information was given reminded me of some movies that are more geared to present a message than to entertain and end up not being as entertaining as a result. Here’s a teacher. We’ll let him give all the information. And throw in a few questions and comments from students who we know nothing about other than their names. No character development whatsoever. Just names. And no reactions. Nothing else in the setting to bring the scene to life.

Fiction or stories typically have a plot. This book doesn’t. Or maybe I should say it has a quasi-plot that is resolved early and then that setting provides the background for giving a ton of information. But the story falls flat with the info dump.

The story could have been so much more interesting had the conflict not been resolved so quickly and had the information been woven throughout to help resolve the conflict. Or just more character development. I loved how the author brought out that gender stereotypes don’t mean that you’re going to become the opposite gender. A good children’s editor could have made what is an okay book a stellar story.

I appreciated that the information is scientific, biblical, and explained on a level kids should be able to get.

And Bravo to Mr. Machowski in being a pioneer in writing about this topic for children.

I love great children’s books. We need more! Please keep writing, Mr. Machowski. But please get a children’s editor. Maybe talk to Sally Lloyd-Jones and see who she uses. Or check out story-grid. So much potential here!

In spite of the “story”-cons, I don’t know of any books like this one— children’s books that endeavor to teach little ones about gender from a scientific and biblical perspective. Machowski does a great job of not only giving that information, but repeating it in fun ways that will help children remember. Also, as other reviewers have mentioned, while he presents the facts scientifically and biblically, he does so in a kind, loving, non-judgmental way.

I bought this book because we are a family facing heartbreaking challenges I’ve alluded to in this review. There is so much pain as we and others wade through this murkiness. It’s hard enough for adults. How much more challenging for little ones whose innocence we are trying to protect as long as possible. Thank you for the help, Mr. Machowski.

I absolutely loved the way this book walked through the discussion on gender from a biblical worldview. It’s practical and easy to grasp for kids to help them understand who God made them to be.

Though it's sad that there is a need for a book like this to be written, this is a very well written and Biblical perspective on gender. Though many people are probably offended by it, I appreciate that it contains a very clear Biblical explanation of gender and how God created man and woman uniquely-and created them the way He wanted them to be, not leaving the decision up to us.
It contains a clear Gospel presentation (though it doesn't contain any reference to the resurrection) and connects it well to the fact that sin has caused people to depart from God's design for genders.
There's so much potential for discussion with this book and I think it is appropriate for a wide range of ages of children.

*I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion

I was glad to have this book to address gender with my children and talk to them about God making us in his image and there not being more than two genders, no matter what the media or anyone else says.

Great helpful resource for young children, especially elementary kids who may feel self-conscience about not "fitting" their gender. Biblical and gospel-based. Doesn't get mired in the current politics around this issue but deals with it simply and beautifully.

4.5 stars

What a great resource for parents who are trying to teach Scriptural truths while navigating social mores. There's nothing inflammatory and the tone is not only educational, but kind.

In a culture of gender uncertainty, it is important for parents to have resources to help them explain to children the gift God gave us when He created us male and female. Marty Machowski's "God Made Boys and Girls" teaches children about the uniqueness of their gender and why it is important to look at biblical truth when confronted with gender identity issues.

When a boy makes fun of a girl because she likes to participate in a primarily male sport, a teacher takes the opportunity to explain how God created human beings and why He gave certain talents to certain people. While our talents do not always line up with a specific gender, it doesn't make boys any less males or girls any less females.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from New Growth Press through Audra Jennings PR. I was not required to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”