Stories about Us

Supreme Court Story Time: Justices Consider Children’s Books With L.G.B.T.Q. Themes

Authors and Illustrators Respond to Oral Arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor

Sarah and Ian in front of a large microphone Resistance in Residence – Authors Sarah and Ian Hoffman – KPFA 94.1

SCOTUS Poised to Rule Against LGBTQ Books in Elementary Schools w/ Sarah Brannen & Sarah & Ian Hoffman – KPFA 94.1

An Interview with Hampshire College

CBS News: Jacob’s Room to Choose Heads to the US Supreme Court!

On the Media

[39:36] Host Brooke Gladstone interviews Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, whose children’s picture book, And Tango Makes Three, is among the long list of banned titles across the country. They talk about Jacob’s Missing Book!

Sarah & Ian Hoffman Discuss the Impact of Book Bans with Golden State Readers

Sarah & Ian talk to Golden State Readers about being banned authors, how book bans impact kids and society

Pride and Less Prejudice

Read the interview with Sarah & Ian on book banning and writing about book bans for kids.

Denton ISD Board of Trustees votes to keep children’s books with gender non-conforming characters in school library

KSQD Community Radio “What Does Representation Mean to Kids?”

Parents Write Children’s Book Series on Raising their Gender Non-Conforming Son

Meet the parents who’ve written a kids book series on their gender non-conforming son with the goal of encouraging readers to avoid gender binary assumptions. View the video.

Authors of “Jacob’s New Dress” Speak about Gender Non-conforming Youth

Pride and Less Prejudice

Read the interview with Sarah & Ian on raising gender-diverse kids and diverse representation.

ALA List of Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books

Jacob’s New Dress is #72 on the ALA List of Top 100 Most Banned and Challenged Books!

The Horn Book

Matthew Winner/The Children’s Book Podcast

Interview #512: Sarah and Ian Hoffman, 6/7/2019

American Psychological Association: An Interview with Jacob

School District Removes Book About a Boy in a Dress From Curriculum

North Carolina School System Pulls Book About a Boy in a Dress

NC legislators’ wrath prods CMS to pull lesson about a boy in a dress

“Working with Sarah and Ian Hoffman was a blessing. They were organized and collaborative in every detail. Once they began sharing, the crowd was rapt with curiosity and empathy. With warmth, humor, and disarming honesty they invited us to explore gender diversity and inclusion in ways that rang with authenticity, hope, and practicality. People left feeling both challenged and resolute for the work ahead—with new language for addressing complex topics and renewed joy. If you are considering inviting Sarah and Ian, expect a generous partnership and a revelatory Q&A.”

—Rev. Victor H. Floyd
Calvary Presbyterian Church

“Sarah & Ian’s visits to our class help us to cultivate an environment where students feel safe to express themselves, explore their identities, and appreciate and support others.”

—Anjali Ramisetti
First Grade Teacher
Katherine Delmar Burke School

“Sarah and Ian were so thoughtful in providing just-right content for our kindergarteners all the way up to our older students. Their loving and honest stories, easy back-and-forth with one another, and humorous delivery of a delicate topic made this sensitive, yet oh-so-critical topic digestible and relatable. This is a conversation that I hope students, teachers, and parents will continue to have with more ease thanks to the Hoffmans. I’m so grateful to them for sharing their gift of their family’s journey, and their beautiful storytelling, with our entire school community.”

—Kristine Keane
School Social Worker
George Peabody School

“The first time I heard Sarah & Ian tell their story, I was in awe of them. Their loving, unconditional acceptance of their child is a model every parent should see. What a lucky child Sam is to get to grow up with Sarah & Ian as his parents!”

—Susan Rahman, MA
Faculty, Sociology, Psychology, and Behavioral Science, College of Marin

“Sarah & Ian have a unique ability to capture the joys and challenges of raising a gender-nonconforming child. Their natural ability as storytellers, combined with their insightful reflections on their own journey as parents, make them compelling speakers for a diverse range of audiences. Balancing humorous anecdotes with poignant realism, they build awareness, understanding, and acceptance of families and children navigating this challenging terrain.”

—Joel Baum
Gender Spectrum Education and Training

“Sarah & Ian’s willingness to share the story of their family with my students has opened up new dialogue and understanding of children with diverse expressions of gender. The research they have completed with other families with children who cross gender “boxes” has been invaluable in helping teachers understand the perspectives of parents and caregivers and how we can support them as educators. We always appreciate their openness and willingness to share time with us!”

—Tracy Burt
Faculty, Child Development and Family Studies Department, City College of San Francisco