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

God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender by Marty Machowski aims to help parents discuss gender with young children. With its simple and colorful illustrations, plus a school room setting, I think the book will interest my daughters. The basis of the book comes straight out of Genesis. It recalls the creation story to emphasize that God created each person with a specific gender. It also manages to work in the salvation message of Jesus coming as a baby and later dying to atone for our sins. What I liked: It speaks against false stereotypes, affirming a child’s unique interests and abilities. It advocates for showing kindness to anyone who may be confused about gender or have a chromosomal disorder that affects sex organs. What I didn’t like: The girls being “double XX, extra special” felt repetitive. It predisposes girls to the complementarian marriage role ideology when it presents Eve as a helper for Adam. I was raised on the type of ideologies in this book, but I’m not totally on board with its message. If God doesn’t make mistakes and gives the gift of gender, then why do people have genetic disorders? I won’t take up space writing out my questions and thoughts here, I’m just going to leave it at: I don’t buy into everything presented in the book. I will likely use God Made Boys and Girls by Marty Machowski as a supplement to our homeschool curriculum. It’s not a book I’d leave laying around for them to read at will as I had mixed feelings about it. Christian parents with conservative ideals will like this book the most as it makes strong statements that gender does not change and should be embraced as a gift from God. Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

When I first heard of God Made Boys and Girls, I was a bit concerned about the fact that it’s about gender. You see, we live in a society that is trying to change what we believe about gender, so it makes my heart sad to realize that we need more books like these for our children. In fact, I highly recommend using this with your children whether your a parent, teacher, counselor or someone who works with kids in any way. The author uses real-life examples to begin the conversation about gender. She explains to her readers that God created boys and girls. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:27” Marty Machowski explains to children that gender is a special gift from God. She also uses the XX and XY chromosome to explain that no matter how you change your gender, you can’t change your blood. This was a kid-friendly and simple way to explain. The author takes it even further by using Adam and Eve to explain sin and how God’s way is better. This book is very gospel-centered as the author explains how Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again for our sins. Children will learn about forgiveness. Children will also learn that it is okay for boys to like baking and playing with dolls and for girls to like football and other boyish stuff. The main point with this is that it isn’t about what we think makes us a boy or a girl. God never makes mistakes when it comes to gender. Something else that I thought was intriguing was that the author also teaches children the importance of loving others. Since we live in a society full of sin, they will come across other kids who want to change their gender and may possibly even will. However, it is still important that they show Jesus’ love. This isn’t part of the Good News For Little Hearts series, but like those books, you can find talking points to take the discussion further. One of the neat discussions is how a child might have medical reasons, for example having been born with both genitals. Basically, the book covers all its bases. Highly recommended! Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

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.”

Marty Machowski is one of my favorite children’s authors. He has the ability to clearly bring forth hard topics and present them in a way that is easily understood for children. He has a great way of having open discussions with children. Any parent will be able to talk about the topic of gender with this book. I hate it that we have to even talk about this subject but in today’s culture we need to give our kids a Biblical understanding. The story focused on God’s design for each gender. God has put in our DNA whether we are male or female. It does a very tastefully and doesn’t condemn any person and is written with children in mind. The message is clear and I’m sure it will be offense to many. The story explains the message of God and gender clearly. The girl in the story loves sports and is very good at it. One of the boys makes a comment, “That if she keeps playing with boys she will become a boy.” I appreciate that it is a clear Biblical explanation about gender and how God created man and woman. He made people the gender they were born and not leaving the decision up to us. The salvation story is weaved within the story and how sin came into our world. Also the characters talk about not making fun of a person because of what they like to be. I received a free copy of this product from New Growth Press

Very well written. This book couldn't have come at a better time. We are living in a age where people are confused about gender. It's rather shocking that this has happened at all, but now that our young children are being indoctrinated into believing there are more than two genders, this book will help parents and teachers to confront this detrimental issue and equip them with the knowledge that God created male and female. It will help them from becoming confused about what society is pushing on them to embrace.

A wonderful book and timely to add to your shelf for all of our children. With the promoting of picking your own gender, saying God made mistakes, a Christian book to share with young ones. The author does a beautiful job and there is additional information at the back of the book to go further in your sharing with facts and scripture, called Truths about Gender. The story written for children shows girls out running boys, and goes on to explain that doesn’t mean a gender change. I thank the Publisher that we have choices for our children! I received this book through Read With Audra and the Publisher New Hope Press, and was not required to give a positive review.

The story starts revolves around a little girl named Maya who prefers to play sports like football at recess. She's also really fast. So fast that when they line up for recess, her classmate (a boy) remarks that if she keeps playing with boys then she'll turn into a boy. This sparks a discussion about gender and how it does not change because of what we do or how we act. Gender is a gift from God and even if you like to do things that are considered "boy-ish" it doesn't change that gift. Gender is what you're born with and it doesn't change. It's ingrained so deep in us, it goes beyond what we can physically see down into our DNA and cells. Again! New Growth Press does it again with another good book with a much-needed lesson. This is definitely worth reading, especially those who may have children or even teens who are struggling with gender identity and as a parent, you want to take a God-honoring approach to discuss it. This book does that and points them back to Jesus. {I received this book from the publisher, New Growth Press, in exchange for my honest review.}

GOD MADE BOYS AND GIRLS is a timely reminder that regardless of interests, boys are boys and girls are girls. In today's day and age there is a concerted effort to let people pick their own gender, feel like a different gender (which could change by the day), or "Become" a different gender (which could change you physically but not your genetic makeup.) I applaud Marty Machowski for tastefully tackling this controversial topic and giving parents and conservative Christian educators a well-written book to share with their children to counteract the gender confusion issue. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

I really don’t intend to tell you what I think of every new book you come out with for kids. :-) but I did want to say thank you so so much for “God Made Boys and Girls!” We’ve been waiting for a book like this and it was so well done! We have many people in our area who are trying to figure out what to tell their kids and it is so difficult. Most every public school around us includes kids coming from families with two mommies and two daddies, as well as kids who are Or confused about their own gender identity. We’ve noticed that no matter how careful parents are there language, kids often parrot what their parents tell them without bringing/knowing how to bring love’s nuance into their speech. What comes out can sound harsh and unloving and winds up not being a good first step for the gospel for people who are struggling with these gender distinctions. Marty’s book does a good job of telling the truth of how God has made us and everyone’s need for the gospel, but focusing on compassion, love and basic facts, and making room for further conversation and commending the gospel to those who need it. His little intro at the beginning and extra notes at the back are extremely helpful. It’s a masterpiece.

God Made Boys and Girls by Marty Machowski is written to help children understand the gift of gender. It's set in a class when one little girl outruns all the boys and one boy suggests she might turn to a boy. The teacher uses it as an opportunity to explain the differences between boys and girls by simply explaining genetics. He uses the correct terminology of XY and XX to explain male and female genes and links it all back to God's creation in Genesis 1-2. Variations in skills and interests among boys and girls are all explained as part of God’s creative plan. Sin is explained as us wanting our own way and not God’s way, but that God dealt with our sin by sending Jesus. In the end, we are called to love people and be kind to them, even if they are different to us. Machowski has done an excellent job of explaining gender in a way that a 4-7 year old would grasp and understand. It is balanced in explanation, gentle in tone and does not try to do too much (eg explain gender dysphoria). Trish Mahoney is the illustrator for this whole series, and so each book has a distinct yet familiar feel, with clear, fun illustrations. The whole series is worth having for those with young children.