I used to read this series when I was about 7 or 8. I thoroughly enjoyed it then, and I still do now. Then again, I’m only just recognising how stereotypically gendered these books are. These books refer to teenage fiction that was also released during that time, such as ‘Dork Diaries’, books written by Jaqueline Wilson, ‘Tom Gates,’ and so forth. In ‘May Contain Nuts,’ gender stereotypes are heavily evident, with Norm thinking that crying or showing emotion is only for girls, riding his bike, and Norm’s father not exactly treating his mother to the highest of powers. It’s quite ridiculous how Norm is a character, and the sarcasm is there to back this up.
I only bring this up because now, looking back and reading it once more, it makes me think about how this could have reached out to people or even influenced them.
I’m not exactly familiar with whether there’s any such fiction today that breaks out of these stereotypes and diversifies people from all different backgrounds and orientations, but I hope there is because that’s what children today need most in the world — stories that will justifiably represent them.
Still, ‘May Contain Nuts,’ however repetitive it is at times, is a hilarious kickstart to the series. It’s truly nostalgic for me, and I can’t wait to read the next one.