Jacob's School Play

• An empowering and uplifting tale…perfect icebreaker for young students to have meaningful conversations about gender identity and community.
  —The Advocate

Introduces readers to nonbinary, gender-fluid people and the use of pronouns of their own choosing while all along reinforcing that an individual is much more layered and unique then how others may see him, her or them.

Jacob—star of one of the most banned books of the decade according to the American Library Association—is back in his third book and ready to put on a school play! While learning their lines and making their costumes, Jacob’s class finds itself unexpectedly struggling with identity, and what it means to be  “he,” “she,” or “they.” Jacob’s School Play is an engaging way to introduce young readers to nonbinary people and the pronoun options available to us all. Learning that individuals are more nuanced than how others see them is a developmentally important milestone, and helps foster respect of one’s self and one’s peers.

Sarah and Ian Hoffman are children’s book authors who have written two other acclaimed books about Jacob, including Jacob’s Room to Choose.

They live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit them onlineopens in new window.

Chris Case has been illustrating books and magazines since 2008.

He lives in Vermont. Visit him onlineopens in new window.

Gentle and effective in showing one child eventually comprehending a classmate’s nonbinary identity.
—Publishers Weekly

It’s great to see this series continuing to explore some of the many aspects of gender identity and expression, and to do so here through the eyes of someone whose gender expression isn’t traditional, but who is still learning about gender identity. And even though the teacher does much of the explaining, Ari is also confident in who they are and in communicating this to Jacob.
—Mombian

When Ari is misgendered by Jacob, Ari corrects him, but Jacob needs his teacher, Ms. Reeves, to address his arguments against using the pronoun “they”: “They is for two kids.” She models thoughtful explanations for adult and child readers… Case’s joyful illustrations portray a colorful classroom filled with students from diverse backgrounds, in scenes filled with energy and laughter… In collections where Jacob’s other stories do well, this is a worthwhile inclusion….
—School Library Journal

This straightforward and important book that honors everyone will help adults have thoughtful conversations with young children about gender identity, particularly the message about respecting someone's choice to use ungendered pronouns. Case's beautifully textured illustrations invite the child reader into the bustling, friendly classroom. Pair with It Feels Good to Be Yourself (2019), by Theresa Thorn and Noah Grigni, for another picture book to continue the conversation about gender identity.
—Booklist

Making space for everyone is no small task. Seeing one another, asking the right questions, and honoring how each person walks through the world is something learned, but not often enough taught…. But this is not a book about conflict or being accepted by others for who you are. It's about classmates each embracing that their experience is not the only experience and that every person fits beautifully into this world in their own way. I'm so grateful that children in every classroom will have the opportunity to see themselves and their friends represented in Jacob's School Play. That's so needed and so beautifully done in this book.
—Matthew Winner, The Children’s Book Podcast

A learning opportunity for readers outside the nonbinary experience.
—Kirkus Reviews

An empowering and uplifting tale…perfect icebreaker for young students to have meaningful conversations about gender identity and community.
—The Advocate

• Helping kids understand he, she, and they pronouns: An Interview with Jacob (PDF, 320KB)opens in new window
  Magination Press Family had the opportunity to interview Jacob, the subject of Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and They. In the interview, Jacob shares his feelings and experiences.
• Jacob's Coloring Sheet (PDF, 209KB)opens in new window
  Download a printable coloring page to bring Jacob and Sophie to life with your favorite patterns and colors.
• Jacob's Sign Activity Page (PDF, 156KB)opens in new window
  Download this printable activity sheet to make signs and hang them up like Jacob and Sophie!
• Watch the author read Jacob’s School Play: Starring He, She, and Theyopens in new window. Interested in this book? Purchase a copy to continue (or start) the conversation with the children in your life.