A report released by the SEEN (Sex Equality and Equity Network) in Publishing group alleges that children's literature is being used to promote transgender ideology, referring to it as "sex-change propaganda." The report, titled "Through The Looking Glass," identifies more than 60 books from major publishing houses that it claims feature themes such as children "born in the wrong body," women with beards and mastectomy scars, and "non-binary" characters.

The report, which has been sent to members of Parliament and major publishers, asserts that gender affirmation has significantly influenced publishing staff, authors, and librarians. It argues that the publishing industry is "entirely captured by a warped ideology and is now severely out of step with the population at large." The authors of the report suggest that these books are primarily kept in circulation through their adoption by primary schools, often on the recommendation of "inclusivity" charities including No Outsiders, Stonewall, The Rainbow Flag Award, and Just Like Us.

According to the report, these gender-themed stories are read in lessons on diversity and inclusion or as part of compulsory "relationships education." Parents have reportedly expressed objections, stating they were not warned about such material being presented to their children.

Examples cited in the report include:

  • The ABC Of Gender Identity (Jessica Kingsley, 2019), which reportedly defines terms such as Agender, Bigender, and Cisgender.
  • Bodies Are Cool (Puffin, 2021), described as a "celebration of every kind of body that exists in the world," which reportedly features illustrations of women with beards and mastectomy scars.
  • Grandad's Pride (Andersen Press, 2023), which the report claims includes images of men in bondage gear and women with mastectomy scars, alongside a message promoting "trans rights now."
  • Introducing Teddy (Bloomsbury, 2016), where a teddy bear character eventually states, "In my heart, I've always known I am a girl teddy, not a boy teddy."
  • Peanut Goes For The Gold (Harper Collins, 2020), featuring a "non-binary" guinea pig who becomes a gymnast.
  • Bye Bye, Binary (Harper Collins, 2022), narrated by a baby character who advocates for smashing gender norms as "only social constructs."

Former Children's Laureate Anne Fine OBE has endorsed the report, calling the situation a "dismal betrayal of young people" and an "unthinking capitulation to a biologically unfounded ideology." Fine criticized the children's publishing industry for becoming a "major conduit for trans-activist propaganda and harmful lies." She stated, "A consensus enforced by silencing has no place in literature."

The report characterizes gender ideology as a "harmful, biologically illiterate and regressive lie" and calls for publishers to withdraw all transgender-themed literature for children and young people. It contends that this is a "safeguarding issue" rather than a free speech matter, arguing that young children should not be exposed to concepts of medical sex change or adult fetishes. The authors suggest that the market for such books is artificial, being sustained by school adoption lists provided by activist groups, and that without this patronage, many of these books would not remain in print due to perceived poor writing and plots.

Helen Joyce from the Sex Matters campaign group described the extent of transgender narratives in children's publishing as "terrifying," expressing concern that young children might accept the idea that a child can change sex through superficial means, similar to how they believe in figures like Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy.