California parents blast school for giving fifth graders transgender book 'My Shadow is Pink' then forcing them to explain it to kindergartners

A California dad has blasted his son's school for giving the child a book about a transgender boy - then allegedly forcing him to explain it to kindergartners. 

Carlos Encinas' 11-year-old son was assigned to read a book called 'My Shadow is Pink' in his fifth-grade class on May 1 at La Costa Heights Elementary School in Carlsbad north of San Diego.

The book centers around a boy who describes his father's shadow as 'big' and 'blue' and his dilemma with his own shadow, which he feels is pink. 

'My heart skips a beat as I put on a dress,' the main character says in the book, while wearing a gown while his shade is a feminine color. 

'My Shadow is Pink' was read by Carlos Encinas' son who is in fifth grade

Encinas claims that the school insisted that the book is not about being transgender

'My shadow loves ponies and books and pink toys. Princesses and fairies and things not for boys.'

The book talks about other people's shadows.

'Her shadow, she hides it. Her shadow likes girls.'

After Encina's 11-year-old read the book in his own class, the fifth graders were told they would be sharing the story with their buddy class, a class of kindergartners the fifth graders read to and mentor. 

'That's actually where he felt the most uncomfortable,' Encinas said of his son. 

'These little kids look up to them. They are with them twice a month.'

Encinas and his wife reached out to the school asking why parents were not notified that their kids would be reading the book and sharing it with even younger kids.

The couple decided to share their son's experience on their own social media to let parents know what was happening.

The Encinas claims that the school principal said the book is about inclusivity

The book also includes a reference to a woman's shadow. 'Her shadow, she hides it. Her shadow likes girls'

The parents said they just wanted future notification of sensitive topics and an option for their kids not to participate. 

Carlos' video has been shared by many people, including liberal and conservative activists.  

Carlos Encinas, 52, told DailyMail.com he decided to speak out because parents have a right to know what their children are reading in the classroom

The principal of the school called the couple yesterday, they told DailyMail.com. 

'I was hoping that they call would be conciliatory or have some sort of a, "Maybe we could do better, you should have been notified." Zero. It was more about her trying to understand how my video was making their teachers feel unsafe.'

Carlos says the principal denied the book was about being transgender and instead said it was about 'identity' and being inclusive. 

Additionally, he claims the school told them they would not received future notification on books on the same topics and that their child could not opt out. 

While they've gotten plenty of support from many circles, at their elementary school. the Encinas feel that they have been retaliated against for speaking out. 

Jenny, Carlos' wife, says she's being attacked by other moms at the school. 

'The PTA president organized a 'Pink out the Hate,' as in "We are hateful" and in the support of the book,' she explained.

'It has made my physically sick. My younger son wouldn't go to school. My older son was brave enough to go but he came home feeling like, "Everyone wearing pink is against me.'"

The school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com. 

'We've been called racists. I'm Hispanic,' Carlos said. 

'We've been told we're anti-LGBT. We don't hate anyone, we don't want them to feel excluded. We just want to know parents to know what their child is reading in school.'

With the school doubling down on its position not to notify parents about controversial or sensitive topics, the Encinas are considering moving their sons to a private school. 

The Encinas' sons attend La Costa Heights Elementary School in Carlsbad, California