5. From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom and Kai Yun Ching

• Plot Summary: 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.

• Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l3PUnnD7q8

• This is a beautiful gender-queer book. The main character, Miu Lan is always changing, boy-girl, tiger-peacock, porcupine-turtle, and tons of other crazy magical combinations. They are teased and made fun of by the kids at school, even at one point trying to be like everyone else, but with the support of their mom, they are finally brave enough to just be themself. This book has strong themes of maternal love and gender (and species) fluidity. It is rare to find a book that emphasizes gender fluidity and this one does it clearly and simply.