Kai Cheng Thom
Ages 3–8
In the magical time between night and day, when both the sun and the moon are in the sky, a child is born in a little blue house on a hill. And Miu Lan is not just any child, but one who can change into any shape they can imagine. The only problem is they can't decide what to be: A boy or a girl? A bird or a fish? A flower or a shooting star? At school, though, they must endure inquisitive looks and difficult questions from the other children, and they have trouble finding friends who will accept them for who they are. But they find comfort in the loving arms of their mother, who always offers them the same loving refrain: "whatever you dream of / i believe you can be / from the stars in the sky to the fish in the sea." In this captivating, beautifully imagined picture book about gender, identity, and the acceptance of the differences between us, Miu Lan faces many questions about who they are and who they may be. But one thing's for sure: no matter what this child becomes, their mother will love them just the same.
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We keep this on the shelf for LGBTQ+ kids and families — a story kids can feel, not just a lesson adults want to teach.
Ages 3–8. Especially helpful for affirming LGBTQ+ identity and gender expression.
Ask: How did someone in this story show who they are — and who cheered them on?
Bedtime tip: after the last page, ask one question and wait — silence is where the story sticks.
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