BOOK REVIEW God Made Boys and Girls

As parents, navigating our way through the major battleground issues our children are exposed to today can be a real challenge. When we have to face a complex topic such as gender ideology, how do we balance teaching children what is biblically right, whilst also preparing them for the wrong ideas they may encounter, all the while seeking to ensure they behave in a kind and loving way?

God made Boys and Girls by Marty Machowski is a book that can be of real assistance when approaching the subject of gender with younger children (broadly Key Stage 1/early Key Stage 2). It tells the story of a girl Maya who likes to play football with the boys (as an aside this is an American book where football means American football, and a few other words such as recess – breaktime – may need ‘translating’!). One of the boys teases Maya and tells her that if she keep playing with the boys, she will turn into a boy. This then leads to a school lesson and discussion on what the Bible teaches about gender.

The book keeps things simple, explaining Biblical facts without muddying the waters with complex ideology. For example, there is no attempt made to distinguish between gender and biological sex (one of the key areas of confusion with this topic in wider society) referring to our gender as what God chose for us each – either male or female, boy or girl – and something that cannot be changed. Indeed, our gender is referred to as a gift. There is some simple science about cells and the XY/XX code our cells contain that decides our gender. The creation of the first man and first woman (Adam and Eve) is faithfully recounted along with the fall as the reason why there is so much confusion in the world these day – people chose to go their own way rather than God’s way. The solution to this confusion and to the sin we all have is explained through the gospel, the coming to earth of the Lord Je-sus as both almighty God and a real man, and then ultimately the cross as the place where he took away the sins of all who trust in him. Also clear is the fact that everyone is different, with varied interests and talents, but that it is not this that determines whether we are a boy or a girl.

Finally, the important point is made that we should treat everyone with love and kind-ness, even those with whom we disagree and especially those who may be confused about these things.

The book is bright, colourful and attractively illustrated in a way that appealed to our children (ages 7 and 5). The text is simple and clear, but not dumbed down. There are a good number of Bible quotes (mainly ESV). At the back are a couple of pages of notes for parents with more details and suggestions for how to talk to children about this topic.

This is a really helpful book. It lays a clear Biblical foundation regarding gender in an accessible way, whilst also giving practical teaching about how to interact with others. It does not introduce those ideas, even from a Christian perspective, that ultimately we want to protect our young children from—for example, there are no transgender characters.

God Made Boys and Girls – Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender, Marty Machowski. Hardback. Published by New Growth Press 2019. Available here.