Published by Bloomsbury, 2016.

This is a picture book that should be in every primary school classroom and every library. It’s a wonderful story about being yourself. It celebrates the power of friendship and it nurtures empathy and understanding.

Errol and Thomas the teddy are friends. They play together every day – riding their bikes in the backyard, planting vegetables in the garden and having sandwiches for lunch in the treehouse. However, Thomas isn’t completely happy. Even a trip to the park to play on the swings doesn’t cheer him up. Nervously, Thomas tells Errol that in his heart he’s always known that he’s a girl teddy. He wishes his name was Tilly and not Thomas. Tilly needn’t have worried. Errol doesn’t mind if he has a boy teddy or a girl teddy, he’s just happy that they’re friends. Their friend Ava joins them in the park. As Tilly changes her bow tie into a hair bow, Ava supports her – encouraging her to wear whatever makes her happy.

Errol and Tilly continue to play together every day – riding their bikes in the backyard, planting vegetables in the garden and having sandwiches for lunch in the treehouse.

Introducing Teddy is a beautiful story and the perfect way to teach young children about gender identity.

Rating: 💙💙💙💙💙

Suitable for children aged 2+

Thank you to Bloomsbury for sending me this book to review.