“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” - Margaret Mead
Boys can’t play with kitchen sets? All girls want to be princesses? From an early age, kids are bombarded with gender-defining thoughts: boys play with cars, girls with barbies; boys like blue while girls love all pink and sparkles and so on. Children books promote harmful gender stereotypes for both boys and girls by limiting how they play, dress, and express themselves. However, gender nonconformity has been beautifully showcased in 6 children books that challenge the pre-established gender stereotypes.
1. When the Bees Fly Home by Andrea Cheng.
The story of a sensitive, artistic Jonathan isn’t capable enough to help his father with beekeeping, but when a drought hits, Jonathan uses his art skills to save the day.
2. Boys Don't Knit by T. S. Easton.
The story of Ben who chooses to learn knitting and ends up falling in love with the craft. He feels like he has to keep his new passion a secret, especially from his masculine father.
3. All I Want to Be Is Me by Phyllis Rothblatt.
A book that captures the diverse ways that young children express and experience their gender identity.
4. You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! by Shana Corey.
Amelia Bloomer, a rebellious women's rights activist thinks the women of her time are silly – they can’t work, vote, and wear such restricting clothing and so, she invents the bloomers.
5. My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis.
The story of Dyson who loves pink, sparkly things and sometimes, wears dresses. He considers himself Princess Boy and likes to wear his princess tiara.
6. Pirates Can Be Princess Too by Christi Zellerhoff.
A princess can do anything a pirate can do – from captaining a ship to taking charge of the crew to fend off foes and that too, in a crown and a puffy pink gown!
These children books teach valuable lessons about equality and gender-based double standards prevalent in society. It’s not too difficult to find these books which defy gender stereotypes for younger children. Ergodebooks is the destination.
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