A report released by the SEEN (Sex Equality and Equity Network) in Publishing group alleges that transgender activist literature is being introduced into primary school reading lists, describing it as "sex-change propaganda." The report, titled "Through The Looking Glass," identifies over 60 books from major publishing houses that it claims feature themes of gender identity, including characters described as "born in the wrong body," women with beards, and "non-binary" animals. The report contends that this literature is being promoted in schools through inclusivity charities and recommended reading lists.
The report, which has received backing from former Children's Laureate Anne Fine OBE, criticizes what it calls a "dismal betrayal of young people" by the publishing industry. Fine is quoted as stating that publishing has been "entirely captured by a warped ideology" and is "severely out of step with the population at large." The authors of the report suggest that these books might not be commercially popular but are utilized in hundreds of primary schools, often as part of diversity and inclusion lessons or compulsory "relationships education."
Examples cited in the report include "Bodies Are Cool" (Puffin, 2021), which reportedly features a woman with a beard and mastectomy scars; "Grandad's Pride" (Andersen Press, 2023), which allegedly includes images of men in bondage gear and mastectomy scars; and "Introducing Teddy" (Bloomsbury, 2016), a story about a teddy bear who identifies as a girl. Other books mentioned are "Peanut Goes For The Gold" (Harper Collins, 2020), featuring a non-binary guinea pig, and "Bye Bye, Binary" (Harper Collins, 2022), narrated by a baby character challenging gender norms.
The report argues that the prevalence of such literature in schools is sustained by taxpayer funding and the recommendations of organizations such as No Outsiders, Stonewall, The Rainbow Flag Award, and Just Like Us. It criticizes the quality of the writing in these books, suggesting that their continued publication is due to their inclusion on recommended lists from activist groups rather than reader demand.
Authors of the report express concern that this literature is being presented to young children without parental warning and that it constitutes a "safeguarding issue" rather than a "free speech issue." They demand that publishers withdraw all such titles for children and young people, warning that failure to do so will further damage the industry's reputation. The report suggests that the "trans cult" and its beliefs are waning, and this literature is an attempt to keep them alive.
Helen Joyce from the Sex Matters campaign group is cited as expressing concern about the extent to which children's publishing has been influenced by trans narratives, stating that young children might believe the "destabilising and frightening lie" that a child can change sex through superficial means. The report "Through The Looking Glass" was produced by SEEN In Publishing in collaboration with Transgender Trend and Biology in Medicine, and is available online.