The authors of what has become the most talked about book in Charlotte – “Jacob’s New Dress” – have a message for the conservative groups that have labeled their children’s story a threat to “traditional family values.”

“The idea that a book can turn someone gay or transgender is bizarre to us. Reading a book can’t turn you gay,” said Sarah Hoffman, who wrote the book with her husband, Ian Hoffman.

Front cover of Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah and Ian Hoffman. Glassberg, Ronnie

“If a white kid reads a book about Martin Luther King Jr., will they become black? This book is about a little boy who wears a dress, something outside of traditional gender roles, much like the idea of a girl wearing pants was 100 years ago. It’s about following your heart.”

The couple have watched with dismay from the sidelines this week as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials bowed to conservative outrage and reversed plans to use the book in all first-grade classes. Much of the opposition came from Republicans in the state General

agenda: promoting acceptance of transgender people.