A light-hearted, agendered story introducing ideas of tolerance and acceptance to the very young.
A simple, engaging story introducing ideas of non-binary identities, tolerance and acceptance to very young readers, from the writer of the critically acclaimed picture book, The Pocket Chaotic.
Praise for Alex and Alex
''What a fun book for illustrating gender fluidity! With its polka dot endpapers and bright primary colors, this cheerful book shows that gender does not matter to good friends''. -- Youth Services Book Review
''Need many more books like this one for young children!'' -- Net Galley
''Alex and Alex is brilliant in its simplicity. I can't recommend it highly enough!'' -- Picture Book Perfect
''What a wonderful book that I think every child making their first steps socially should have read to them''. -- The Great British Bookworm
''The lack of gender and deliberate avoidance of stereotypes makes this a useful book to help children think more about what allows people to get along and like each other''. -- School Reading List
''Definitely the best book I have come across that sensitively discusses the concept of being non-binary without preaching or taking away from the playful plot for children''.-- The Value's Bookshelf
Alex and Alex have lots of things in common. They love playing, and dressing up and building things. They also are very different to one another; Alex is very messy and Alex is very tidy, Alex likes running and kicking a ball and Alex likes reading and dreaming. After a trip to the museum goes a little bit awry, Alex and Alex have some cooling off time. But they always make up because Alex really really really really really really REALLY.... likes Alex!
This is a book for very young readers introducing ideas of tolerance and friendship in a completely non-gendered way. Neither character is identified as a boy or a girl, and the activities that each one enjoys is a mix of traditional 'boy' and 'girl' things Aimed at children who are just at the cusp of gender awareness and role-play, it provides a much needed counter-balance to more traditional, binary pre-school literature. Boldly illustrated by Ben Javen.
“''What a wonderful book that I think every child making their first steps socially should have read to them. Alex and Alex are two friends who illustrate why being yourself is important. Alex loves to do a variety of things and so does the other Alex. Ziggy Hanaor shares with us all this lovely friendship between two young children and how they explore the world around them. And how they do this is constantly side by side accepting each others likes and dislikes...until one point when the friendship hits a rocky patch. Ben Javens is quite clever to not provide any real hints regarding gender, which is very much the point. Children will see themselves throughout the story as each page shares a different fun thing to do being enjoyed in bold, bright colours and a playful style. Now for the teacher bit. Not making how a child sees themselves to be a closed view starts in EYFS. Children need to be encouraged to enjoy activities based on the activity alone, not if it something that has a gender stereotype. Presenting books like Alex & Alex opens up the debate at a level the children can understand. Like Alex & Alex, everyone should get along and give this story a go''. --The Great British Bookworm ''Alex and Alex are two children who are very alike in many ways but have very distinct interests. When a trip to the museum sees each Alex wanting to do something different, there''s tension. But the strong friendship bond always wins through in this clever picture book for 3-6-year-olds. The lack of gender and deliberate avoidance of stereotypes makes this a useful book to help children think more about what allows people to get along and like each other''. --School Reading List ''I was lucky enough to be sent this beautiful book by Cicada Books Ltd... just before its release this this week! It is a lovely story about two children, both named Alex. Alex is not a boy, and Alex is not a girl. Both children have plenty of shared hobbies as well as differences and it is a great way of breaking down gender stereotypes and introducing the concept of identifying as non-binary to young children. This bright, playful and attractive book is illustrated by Ben Javens and his style perfectly pairs with the simple yet poignant words by Ziggy Hanaor. I would use this book from Nursery right through KS1 and up into KS2 with either whole classes or individuals. I think introducing the term ''non-binary'' (although it is not used in the book specifically) would come very naturally as you read the book and discussed it, if you wanted to. The first Value I have chosen to highlight in this book is acceptance. The children accept each other for who they are - even when they have differences. They argue, like any children, but they learn to make up because they really like each other and appreciate their friendship. In the story, the children spend some time together (such as building collaboratively) and also some time doing things separately. They accept this as part of their friendship. This is a lovely book exploring acceptance as a Value as it shows that friends sometimes need to accept their differences. In my experience of teaching primary-aged pupils, this can be something that needs to be explicitly taught! The second Value I would explore with children when reading this book is respect. This links with acceptance, of course. There are plenty of words and illustrations in the book which show how the two Alexs like different things: one Alex likes running and playing football and the other Alex prefers reading and dreaming, for example. The children respect each other''s hobbies and give each other space to grow their own strengths and hobbies. Respect can be a tricky value to talk about with children as it is so abstract, but this book provides a concrete visual form with which to open up this discussion. Asking children how they can respect differences in the classroom is always valuable too. I did this before with Year 5 and we made a respect paper chain of ideas that we strung across the classroom. We referred to it when needed. Lastly, and with older children, a third Value you could use in conjunction with this book is integrity. Integrity is a really abstract Value so any books which help teach and reinforce it are a winner in my eyes! I always explain integrity as being ''true to yourself'' and ''having good morals'' or ''doing the right thing when nobody is watching'' with lots of examples. In this story, Alex and Alex stay true to themselves: they do not identify as a boy or a girl and this has no impact on their friendship. Furthermore, they stay true to their talents, interests and characteristics even when their best friend doesn''t feel the same. Teaching integrity as a Value that needs lots of repetition in my experience. Therefore, examples of real people who have stayed true to their morals and values is just as important. People like Malala, Greta, Simone Biles all provide good role models of people who have shown integrity in their lives. I have also used this video before, which is short and sweet yet very powerful! Of course, you could easily choose Values such as friendship, kindness, love, compassion or equality. I just chose three Values here to highlight. This is a stunning book and one that will add a great amount to all school classrooms, libraries and home bookshelves. I can imagine it will be immensely popular. It is definitely the best book I have come across that sensitively discusses the concept of being non-binary without preaching or taking away from the playful plot for children. Cicada Books have many contemporary, fun books with important moral messages''. --The Values Bookshelf”
'Two friends who share a name navigate their interests and differences in an affirming, gender-neutral picture book that should appeal to both classrooms and caregivers with its empathetic message.
The story's gender-neutral language is delivered through clear sentences across double-page spreads of bold primary colors with clean lines that keep focus on the children. One Briticism--the use of cross for anger--is the only tell that this title was first published in the United Kingdom. A simple yet inclusive story that is likely to build tolerance, insight, and healthy relationships among young readers'. -- Booklist
'ALEX AND ALEX is an intriguing picture book about two friends.
What I loved: This was a cute, colorful story of friendship. Alex and Alex are each allowed to be themselves and they embrace their differences. From the description, it becomes clearer that this is about acceptance and gender neutrality, which is also a helpful theme for young readers.
The text is brief throughout, and it could work well for young readers who like a quick story that focuses on the illustrations.
Final verdict: Overall, ALEX AND ALEX is a cute picture book about embracing differences and friendship'. -- YA Books Central
'It is clear to me that Ziggy Hanaor's choice to not make hints to the gender identity of the children is intentional. Because of this, reading Alex and Alex is refreshing and the reader can look at the things the children like to do with a perspective that is freed from gender stereotypes. This book is almost an answer to 'What if gender was not a thing?'
Ultimately, I believe Alex and Alex offers the reader the gift of lending them a child's eyes: differences do not matter, friendship and kindness does.
When I read Alex and Alex to my class, they clapped at the end (and I do not think that there could be better feedback than this). They noticed that Alex and Alex like different things and have different personalities and said that it's funny that they are friends and have the same name.
Alex and Alex would be a great addition to any early years classroom setting and would be a great hook for lessons and discussions about friendship and embracing differences. Furthermore, I believe it would also be a great starting point for older children to reflect upon stereotypes in relation to gender identities'. -- Just Imagine
'We absolutely LOVE this awesome story that celebrates difference, develops acceptance and demonstrates a healthy and happy friendship! My two year loves it but so does my six year old and so do I!' -- Stories for Little Ones
'What a fun book for illustrating gender fluidity!
With its polka dot endpapers and bright primary colors, this cheerful book shows that gender does not matter to good friends. There are no pronouns to indicate gender (the back cover blurb reads "Alex is not a boy, and Alex is not a girl.") and the Alexes are happy kids with no gender identifiers in clothing or otherwise. One has white skin and one has brown skin, but none of their differences matter'. -- Youth Services Book Review
'We read this book over the festive break and I will be shouting about it forever more! Alex and Alex is the perfect way to explore gender neutrality and gender non-conforming to children. It follows two friends called Alex, neither of whom identify as a boy or girl and each one enjoys a variety of stereotyped 'boy' and 'girl' toys, activities, and colours.
Alex and Alex is brilliant in its simplicity. My four-year old read the book to me, and it was magical to see her reading this book which shattered gender stereotypes on every page. This is an excellent resource for schools, libraries and communities as well as a book to be shared at home. I can't recommend it highly enough. Alex and Alex is my first top pick for 2022!' -- Picture Book Perfect
'What a wonderful book that I think every child making their first steps socially should have read to them. Alex and Alex are two friends who illustrate why being yourself is important.
Ziggy Hanaor shares with us all this lovely friendship between two young children and how they explore the world around them. And how they do this is constantly side by side accepting each others likes and dislikes...until one point when the friendship hits a rocky patch.
Ben Javens is quite clever to not provide any real hints regarding gender, which is very much the point. Children will see themselves throughout the story as each page shares a different fun thing to do being enjoyed in bold, bright colours and a playful style.
Now for the teacher bit. Not making how a child sees themselves to be a closed view starts in EYFS. Children need to be encouraged to enjoy activities based on the activity alone, not if it something that has a gender stereotype. Presenting books like Alex & Alex opens up the debate at a level the children can understand.
Like Alex & Alex, everyone should get along and give this story a go'.
-- The Great British Bookworm
Ziggy Hanaor is an editor and writer living in London. Her previous books include Fly Flies (Cicada, 2019) and The Pocket Chaotic (Cicada, 2020).
Ben Javens is an illustrator and designer whose drawings have been featured in The New York Times, School of Life, Anorak and The Guardian as well as on products by Hugo Boss, Warburtons and TOMS. He is the illustrator of Two Can (Francis Lincoln, 2016).
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