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Gender Stereotypes in Picture Books
For very young children there is the Bob the Builder series. Bob's main helper Wendy is a girl doing construction work which you don't often see. Sometimes the Dora the Explorer also goes against the grain.Of all the books my kids have I couldn't think of any others really that do go against stereotype --that's pretty scary!
Good question!
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So well said, Abigail! That's exactly what I'm talking about. What I'm looking for are books that reflect both sides for both boys and girls--showing variety and choice rather than standard expectations only--I know there are a great number of truly good stories that reflect the usual roles and I will certainly be eager to share those with my kids eventually. I will definitely watch for Yolen's books. Thanks!
I don't have anything to add off the top of my head about non-traditional boy stories - I'll try to remember to look through my books and see if anything jumps out.I am excited about the two Jane Yolen books - my local library has them, so I'll be checking them out!
The original Winnie the Pooh stories are also filled with fun language and a little boy who plays with stuffed animals. There have been many books that have been released with boys enjoying ballet, etc in the last several years. I'll try to dig up some titles for you.As I now have had two boys, mine have been willing to read tales on both sides of the road simply because they're readers. They'll just as easily read a story about "Mabel Dancing" as they will about St. Patrick or dinosaurs... Times have really changed regarding what's available and okay for boys to be involved in and read, but you'll also find out how quickly they do gravitate, despite even concerted efforts, to books and activities on trucks and tools and dinosaurs and warriors...
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I do think kids are wonderfully open minded and it isn't until we start labeling things as "boy-things" or "girl-things" or whatever that they start to close in their ideas. My best friend until I was ten years old was a boy and we had a blast--I could go from playing dolls with my sister to running around like a wild thing or playing cars with Matt. Wasn't until other boys started teasing him for having a "girl friend" that our friendship dissolved. It was one of the bitterest doses of reality I ever knew!
I guess what I'm saying is that I have no problem exposing girls to "boy books" or boys to "girl books" whatsoever. The books that you are suggesting featuring boys in ballet or playing with stuffed animals and such would just be a welcome addition to expand their world. I plan to include multi-cultural titles, a wide variety of literature. I think that it is one of the most exciting things in the world when one finds a storybook protagonist with whom she can identify--I just want to make sure I provide my kids with the widest breadth of heroes and heroines possible so that THEY can have the choice who to love and admire.
Thanks for the suggestions and keem 'em comin'! :-)
I recently found a copy of
A Baby for Max
which might fit what you're looking for. The pictures are photographs taken by the father of the family; the mother wrote down her son Max's thoughts on welcoming his new sister before and after the birth.
When I was little I had a picture book about a little boy mouse whose parents don't come back one day from foraging. He takes care of his baby sister while searching for them. In my memory it is called something like "Mouse House" but I can't find it listed.
I just did a really quick search and found many, many picture books about boys dancing, for instance. Here's one title that looks fun: Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon. One idea is to use your local library and pull out of the picture books section and non-fiction section all sorts of unconventional books for boys--on dancing, on singing or playing an instrument, on being an actor, on writing poetry or growing flowers... Doing searches on your library's database, or on Amazon, or on Google are easy ways to find all sorts of out-of-the-box titles--for both girls and boys. Have fun!
Kathryn wrote: "This is a subject that has been on my mind for some time and I'm hoping some of you will have good feedback for me... I realize not all will be on the same page with this and I hope I do not offen..."Great discussion idea, Kathryn. The whole gender definition thing is rather annoying at this point. Personally, I loath the fact that all the old books left girls behind, and that so many of the more recent books do the opposite. It's time we present a broad view of what's acceptable behavior. Everybody dances, everybody sings, everybody climbs mountains...
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Oh, and yes, I have seen "Billy Elliott" and it was adorable! I want to see the stage musical, now!
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Also, are any of you familiar with "Hairspray" the musical? Fierstein played the role of Enda on Braodway, which John Travolta played in the movie. He's something of an icon on Broadway. I assume it's also the same guy.
I don't have a picutre book off the top ofmy head that casts boys in non-traditional roles but there is a nice little L'il Critter book by Mercer Mayer called "When I Grow Up". It is narrated by L'il Critters little sister and when she grows up she will be all sorts of things from the traditional ballet dancer to the non-traditional truck driver. Its short and cute and spans the spectrum of occupations:mtn climber, vet, pet store, fire chief, letter carrier, baker and pilot to name a few.
Also, there was a great record in the 1970's that had several stories on it by lots of famous people (Alan Alda, Marlo Thomas, Harry Belafonte, Carol Channing, Mel Brookes called Free to Be... You and Me (and wouldn't you know I jsut googled it and there is a 35th Anniversary book!) check out http://www.freetobefoundation.org/
I should mention that Free to Be is a collection of poems songs and stories that challenge the stereotypes of boys and girls. It emphasizes acceptance and cooperation.
The cd is available at Amazon.com
Oh and when I googled it several of the songs showed up on youtube. I just watched a couple and man did that bring back some memories.
Chandra wrote: "This is something that I think about a lot as well. I actually commented on one of your books regarding something I was discussing with my cousin - how boys are rather static in children's literat..."This has been a really interesting discussion to follow. Whenever I think of gender stereotypes I tend to think about portrayals of female characters (probably because I am female), but that word you used, Chandra -- "static" -- is a perfect description. I don't remember what I was reading exactly, but it was something about fairy tales, and the author pointed out for all our complaints about how the female characters are portrayed (thank you, Disney, for adding to that) we've completely overlooked the fact that the men kinda get the raw end of the deal, too. Prince Charming has all the personality of a gnat!
It does seem like getting boys involved in reading is more of a challenge (fortunately for me, it's not at the preschool stage of the game, but that raises a question, too -- when does it become one?). In my limited experience, I've noticed that boys generally (not always, of course, but generally) are more interested in nonfiction than they are fiction, and so one of the reason they have a hard time reading or are just not that into it at school is because most of the reading that occurs is of the fiction variety.
I read somewhere that when Jon Scieszka, the author of such fantastic books as The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! was an elementary teacher he noticed that his male students struggled with reading and decided to write books that would appeal to them. He actually has a nonprofit organization called Guys Read (http://guysread.com/) that he started to get guys reading. He has lots of recommended titles on the website. Definitely check it out :)
Guess I'm blessed. My little guy loves to read (once he's done bouncing off the walls :)
Wow--great discussion! I am a bookseller but not a parent. When I opened my store a few years ago, I was struck by the fact that the pendulum had swung so far the other way... perhaps it's to make up for past trends, but it seems like it's frowned upon for there to be a strong central boy character anymore. It feels like we're punishing the little boys of today for the sexism of past generations. And I have definitely noticed that even my very enlightened, "progressive" customers are so much more comfortable seeing their daughters interested in something considered traditionally male than seeing their sons (or even daughters!) interested in something considered traditionally female. It's as if a girl reading about trucks is somehow a step "up" to be proud of. Inherently devaluing anything considered traditionally feminine. But here I am, venting.
One picture book I might suggest is "The Boy Who Cried Fabulous" by Leslea Newman. "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown is a beautiful new book about a boy tending a garden and transforming the whole city. And of course "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf is always a great choice.
One picture book I might suggest is "The Boy Who Cried Fabulous" by Leslea Newman. "The Curious Garden" by Peter Brown is a beautiful new book about a boy tending a garden and transforming the whole city. And of course "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf is always a great choice.
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What is a popular childrens book that is gender stereotyped male or female. and a short book that can be read to a group of kids.
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Jerry, all I can think of off the top of my head are Charlotte's Web and the The Little House Collection, but if you look into historical fiction for children, you might find more, like Catherine, Called Birdy.I'm not sure about the length for reading aloud, and you don't specify the age group of children, so I hope these suggestions get you started.
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I can't believe I didn't find this post before now. I am also very interested in the way that boys and men are portrayed in kids' popular culture and I have been looking for good books. I saw that someone mentioned the website Guys Read. While I commend the site's creator for reaching out to boys, a word of warning--many of his titles focus only on male characters and many are highly stereotyped.
It is hard to find depictions of boys doing non-traditional things, so I think the best that parents can hope for is some degree of balance between the sexes. One way to achieve this balance is to read boys and girls books with both male and female protagonists, or a mix of the two.
The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne is fantastic for that. This series features a brother/sister team, with the girl being as adventurous (or more so) than her brother, a boy who is kind and gentle.
I would also recommend the titles of Robert Munsch. He includes a mixture of male and female protagonists in stories that appeal equally to children of both sexes. The illustrations add to the gender balance by including an assortment of male and female characters doing all kinds of different things--dads making dinner, women working as doctors, girls wanting to play hockey, boys wearing pink. They are really great.
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I'd also like to add that for those seeking books for older readers, I have been really impressed with Kenneth Oppel's novels. They feature male protagonists who are both brave/adventurous and sensitive/thoughtful. They are also really well written and tend to have spunky female side-kicks, too. The Airborn series (one of my favorites!) is YA and Silverwing is Middle Grade.
Kathryn wrote: "Thanks for contributing to this thread! I am really happy to see the thread revived and appreciate your comments and recommendations :-)I'd also like to add that for those seeking books for olde..."
Thanks. I will check out that study.
Sorry, I'm having browser troubles. I meant to say that the Barnes and the Brains series by Kenneth Oppel is also good. There are 6 books, first published in 1994 but currently being reprinted.
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Thanks, I will have to watch for them!
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(If you're interested, see here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelook...)
This made me think about this topic again and I thought I'd revive the thread. Especially since I recently heard of a book (which I have not yet read) that really expands even beyond what I was initially looking for with this thread,My Princess Boy. Am very interested if any of you (especially newer members who might have missed this topic before) have ideas for some good books showing boys interested in things their moms or other female relatives/role models do.
Oy. My brother, a Republican and former Marine, lets his little daughter paint his toes. I'll have to tell him he's being transgendered.I just finished reading Black and White, which is not for kids but is about kids being raised as superheroes in a special academy. There is a section where it comes up that they are not allowed to have same-sex relationships because they are supported by corporate sponsors whom they repay with advertising, and being gay would alienate customers.
I'm afraid I can't think of much that fits this book request, although I feel like I might have seen a picture book once where a boy and mom or grandma cook together. If not, someone should write one!
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I think its so natural for children to want to emulate their parents or other role models--they just want to do what mommy or daddy does (or grandma/grandpa, big brother/big sister, etc.) Another book, which I read as a kid and loved (and Lisa recently reminded me about!) is Max by Rachel Isadora. It's about a young boy who accompanies his sister to ballet class and is invited to try the class. He soon realizes what fun it is!
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Kathryn wrote: " think its so natural for children to want to emulate their parents or other role models--they just want to do what mommy or daddy does (or grandma/grandpa, big brother/big sister, etc.)"Yes! So, it's sad we're still at a place where it's fine for girls to emulate either women or men but boys get men only, and there's a "problem" is they want to emulate women, even their own mothers or sisters.
There's a certain assumption of affluence, as well, isn't there, in the idea of gender-specific clothes and toys? In my family we wore hard-me-downs (so my parents got things as gender-neutral as possible) and shared all our toys and books because our parents couldn't afford multiple sets of everything. I'm sure we weren't unique in this!
Tough Boris by Mem Fox is a wonderful picture book about a big tough pirate and how he deals with loss.Hugless Douglas is about a bear who is searching for a hug.
I hope those fit what you are looking for. I love both of these and am constantly recommending them to parents when they come into my department.
Oh, and Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch starts off being about a mother and her baby boy,but the focus shifts to the son as the book progresses.
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In my experience, in Nevada and in Wisconsin, I see the opposite. Walmart stores are full of pink for girls and polyvinyl leather for boys, with books that feature either Disney princesses or trucks. Circo makes high-quality unisex clothing that I've dressed all three of my children in. The better-educated, who tend to earn more money, and to read more books, tend to be more open-minded about gender roles, in my experience.
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Hugless Douglas is about a bear who is searching for a hug.
I hope those fit what you ..."
Oh, yes! Those look great. Thank you so much, Tamara!
Walmart stores are full of pink for girls and polyvinyl leather for boys, with books that feature either Disney princesses or trucks. Circo makes high-quality unisex clothing that I've dressed all three of my children in. The better-educated, who tend to earn more money, and to read more books, tend to be more open-minded about gender rolesI think that's a question of gradations of affluence/poverty. You're describing lower-class spending habits rather than poverty. There was no Wal-Mart around when I was a kid, but even now Wal-mart is more expensive than say, garage sales, which is where most of our things came from. Big difference between $10 jeans and 50-cent ones! But as you say, my parents both went to grad school so maybe that accounts for their taste.
Two books came to mind: Ballerino Nate by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, a picture book I read recently about a young boy who wants to dance ballet, and gets his mother's support, despite his sports-minded brother's put-downs; and Lady Daisy by Dick King-Smith, a middle grade novel that I loved, and that I am surprised is not better known, about a boy and a doll.
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Kathryn's quest to find picture books that respectfully show boys enjoying pastimes beyond typical boy activities or breaking gender stereotypes has fired my memory and my curiosity. Gender Stereotypes in Children’s Literature a blog post about a literature review written for a school project cites many studies of picture-book aged readers.
Even Hockey Players Read has a segmented recommended reading lists for boys in the back including a full two-column page of Picture Books.
Here's a highlight of what it includes:
Nonsense! He Yelled
Owen
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Tough Boris
you might also try:
The Chalk Box Kid
I am really interested in gendered reading and whether what you read as a young person helps determine who you'll be later in life? how you'll think? what you'll expect? what you'll like and dislike? etc.?
With picture books the question of gendered reading is even more interesting because often these books are "interpreted" for young readers by their adult page turners.
Boys' succesful literacy is in part determined by when they get turned on to books and whether they make a capable transition from picture books to reading on their own. To make that transition they need books they want to read on their own. Part of how they learn what kind of books they "want" is determined by the picture books they liked when they were little.
Two of my favorite picture books I like to read with boys and girls are:
Turnip Soup
Because the boy dresses up using things from the kitchen and imagines things and checks back and forth with his mom. We see his perspective, her perspective, and then make a startling discovery. They misunderstand each other at first but not because they are gendered!
Shrek!
The original Shrek, he is definitely gendered, but "his mother was ugly and his father was ugly . . . " and nothing else in the book is quite like other children's books either!
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Natalie, thank you for all the great ideas and the links you provided. I will check them out when I am not quite so rushed. I just have to quickly say, though, that I LOVED Owen and am so glad you thought to add it to the list here.
I love Owen too, even though he's a mouse(?) not a human boy, he fits in this list/theme. I first found out about him from Even Hockey Players Read (of all places)! Kathryn wrote: "I LOVED Owen"
Thanks for initiating this interesting discussion, Kathryn! I've bowed out of this month's royalty themed books b/c they tend to teach kids stereotypical roles. (My decision to not participate this month has got me thinking about whether I'm missing any books worth reading.)
With older kids, it does seem like there is unfortunate pressure on boys to avoid traditionally feminine activities and dress. Girls seem to have much more freedom.
However, thus far with my younger kids (ages 6 and 4), I feel like it is easier to expose my son to range of activities. My daughter is being bombarded with messages from other kids at preschool that she should be interested in princesses and put a lot of effort into being beautiful and pretty. She enthusiastically bounds down the stairs each morning and asks whether the outfit she's chosen for the day is beautiful.
Getting back to books...I read pretty much the same books to both my son and daughter, but any books about princesses (which sadly includes Dora) that make it into our house quietly sneak off to the outbox. When we read books about dance, I make sure that I check out books about male dancers as well as female (e.g. Max by Rachel Isadora, Dance by Bill Jones, Jose, mentioned earlier, is another good one) and we watch YouTube videos w- male dancers. There are many wonderful male dancers out there. When my son started playing hockey (he also takes dance lessons!), I checked out the Girls Book of Hockey for him along with other hockey books so that he could see from the get go that girls as well as boys play hockey.
Booklists that assume that boys will only be interested in books with main characters who are boys seem limiting. If I liked something as a kid, I assume that there is a good chance that my son will like it too. So, I definitely read Little House books, Ramona books, Charlotte's Web etc. to my son as well as to my daughter. Like Crystal, I love the Magic Tree House b/c it introduces both boys and girls to a variety of subjects.
I'll stop now. Thanks all for sharing.
With older kids, it does seem like there is unfortunate pressure on boys to avoid traditionally feminine activities and dress. Girls seem to have much more freedom.
However, thus far with my younger kids (ages 6 and 4), I feel like it is easier to expose my son to range of activities. My daughter is being bombarded with messages from other kids at preschool that she should be interested in princesses and put a lot of effort into being beautiful and pretty. She enthusiastically bounds down the stairs each morning and asks whether the outfit she's chosen for the day is beautiful.
Getting back to books...I read pretty much the same books to both my son and daughter, but any books about princesses (which sadly includes Dora) that make it into our house quietly sneak off to the outbox. When we read books about dance, I make sure that I check out books about male dancers as well as female (e.g. Max by Rachel Isadora, Dance by Bill Jones, Jose, mentioned earlier, is another good one) and we watch YouTube videos w- male dancers. There are many wonderful male dancers out there. When my son started playing hockey (he also takes dance lessons!), I checked out the Girls Book of Hockey for him along with other hockey books so that he could see from the get go that girls as well as boys play hockey.
Booklists that assume that boys will only be interested in books with main characters who are boys seem limiting. If I liked something as a kid, I assume that there is a good chance that my son will like it too. So, I definitely read Little House books, Ramona books, Charlotte's Web etc. to my son as well as to my daughter. Like Crystal, I love the Magic Tree House b/c it introduces both boys and girls to a variety of subjects.
I'll stop now. Thanks all for sharing.
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Thanks for sharing, Amy! I appreciated your perspectives and love how you are creating such a great balance with your children.
I'm so glad you mentioned how children do not need to read books only with protagonists of their own gender. I find that a frustrating trend, too. It's great to hear that your son and daughter both enjoy quality books like the Little House books, "Charlotte's Web" etc. I think so much about being human is universal and good books bring these elements to life, no matter our gender (or our age--one reason I still love quality "kid's" books so much!)
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I would second that, your daughter (and your son) would love that story, it's really fun, with a positive, empowering message.
Great topic. Two more recommended titles: The Sissy Duckling and James Howe's Pinky and Rex and the Bully (Ready-To-Read: Level 3 Both are great for discussion-starters. In Howe's book, Pinky is taunted for liking the color pink. His father is shown as the one in the kitchen, too. It's a lovely little early chapter book, easily read in two or three sittings, and conveys the theme of being true to yourself.
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Children's Books
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Max (other topics)Humphrey's Corner (other topics)
Dreamhunter (other topics)
The Summoning (other topics)
The Summoning (other topics)
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Rachel Isadora (other topics)Rosemary Wells (other topics)
Jon Scieszka (other topics)
I'm looking for some books, picture books in particular, that respectfully show boys enjoying activities and past times beyond the "typical boy" activities--even possibly "girl" activities like dancing. One book I remember from my own childhood was William's Doll I suppose I am looking for things along this line.
I am distressed at the general tendency which applauds girls for participating in "boy activities" but looks down upon boys holding any interest in "girl activities." Now, I'm only going off my own childhood of the '80s and observations I've made lately but I do not have kids of my own yet so I'm curious for parents' insights into this today. It seems, though, that girls are praised for being "strong" if they want to play sports, for example... But a boy is generally considered a sissy (or even something more in this day and age!) if he shows any interest in gentler things in life typically ascribed to girls. I'm not really going for androgynous--I know that there are definitely differences in interests from gender to gender, but I'd like a few books with more scope for those boys who tend to be more sensitive or contemplative than the majority of their peers (not to say boys who like to do "boy activities" are insensitive, gosh, I hope my point is coming across...!?)
Strangely enough, I think that there are some changes happening due to some pop culture phenomenons--for example, when I was growing up, ballroom dancing was not something that "real men" did. Now, "Dancing with the Stars" shows "manly-men" like football stars and rodeo riders out there dancing and they admit that it is HARD WORK but also rewarding and fun. Moreover, women swoon over the sexy, gentlemanly male dancers. Boys growing up with this show might not have the negative attitudes toward dance that most of my male peers had.
This is a bit of a ramble, but I'm just wondering ARE THERE ANY BOOKS THAT SENSITIVELY REFLECT BOYS BREAKING GENDER STEREOTYPES? I want to have a broad spectrum of books in my home library for when I have kids. If I have girls, I know I will find a plethora of strong heroines for them in literature. If I have boys, I worry that they will not find sensitive, as well as strong, heroes to look up to. (And I'd like to share such books with girls, too!)
Thank you for listening to my plea! :-)