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Gender and Children's Literature
Children's Books that Challenge Traditional Gender Roles
Allie’s Basketball Dream
(1996)
Basketball is Allie’s favorite sport-she’s loved it ever since her father took her to her first game at Madison Square Garden. When her dad gives her a new basketball of her own, she hits the neighborhood courts, full of confidence. Once there, her enthusiasm ebbs as her shots fall short of the basket-at least at first.
Pinky and Rex and the Bully
(1996)
Pinky’s favorite color is pink, and his best friend, Rex, is a girl. Kevin, the third-grade bully, says that makes Pinky a sissy. Deep down, Pinky thinks Kevin is wrong, but he’s still worried. Does Pinky have to give up his favorite things, and worse, does he have to give up his best friend?
Amazing Grace
(2007)
Grace loves to act out stories. Sometimes she plays the leading part, sometimes she is 'a cast of thousands.' When her school decides to perform Peter Pan , Grace is longing to play Peter, but her classmates say that Peter was a boy, and besides, he wasn't black... But Grace's Ma and Nana tell her she can be anything she wants if she puts her mind to it...
Ballerino Nate
(2006)
A moving story about a young boy’s big dreams and his strong determination to dance!
Piggybook
(2011)
Mr. Piggott and his two sons behave like pigs to poor Mrs. Piggott - until, finally, she walks out. Left to fend for themselves, the male Piggotts undergo some curious changes!
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life & Times
(1994)
A whimsical adaptation of classic fairy tales and bedtimes stories removes all kinds of bias and objectionable language from such traditional tales as "Chicken Little," "Rapunzel," "The Three Little Pigs," "Cinderella," and others.
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​EBook available
Baseball Ballerina
(1992)
Forced by her mother into taking ballet lessons, a die-hard tomboy discovers that there's team spirit at the barre as well as on the baseball diamond.
Prince Cinders
(1997)
Prince Cinders leads a very hard life. Bullied by his three hairy brothers about his less-than-perfect looks, he spends all his time cleaning and tidying up after them. One Saturday night Prince Cinders’' luck changes as a small, dirty fairy falls down the chimney and promises that his wishes shall come true.
Boy, Can He Dance!
(2012)
Boy, does Tony love to dance! And boy, would his father love for him to follow in the family footsteps and become a chef. Father and son appear to be on a collision course, but instead, they’re able to celebrate their differences — and the things they both love to do!
Clever Polly and the Stupid Wolf
(2006)
It shows how little Polly outwits the wolf.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
(2017)
A children’s book packed with 100 bedtime stories about the life of 100 extraordinary women from the past and the present.
Princesses Can Be Pirates Too!
(2012)
Who says girls can’t play boys’ make-believe games too? “No Girls Allowed,” will simply NOT do for this little Princess! Princesses Can Be Pirates Too! proves that just because a girl is wearing a gold crown and a pink fluffy dress doesn’t mean she can’t act like a pirate just as good as any boy. Yes - even a refined and dainty princess can become a rough and tumble pirate! “A princess can do what a pirate can too; she can captain a ship and take charge of the crew”
Rosie Revere, Engineer
(2013)
Rosie Revere dreamed of becoming a great engineer. Where some people see rubbish, Rosie sees inspiration. Alone in her room at night, shy Rosie constructs great inventions from odds and ends. Hot dog dispensers, helium pants, python-repelling cheese hats: Rosie’s gizmos would astound—if she ever let anyone see them.
He Bear She Bear
(1999)
Young girls and boys can be anything they want to be -- regardless of gender.
Hero Mom
(2013)
The moms in this book are superheroes. These moms construct buildings, fly planes, and make tanks roll.
Clive and his babies
(2005)
Clive loves his dolls. He enjoys playing with them, and sharing them with his friends.
Ruby’s Wish
(2002)
Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based on the story of the author's grandmother, Ruby’s Wish is an engaging portrait of a young girl who strives for more and a family who rewards her hard work.
Shopping With Dad
(2008)
It’s Saturday, and one small girl and her Dad are heading for the supermarket while Mom is working. It’s so exciting! How can she contain herself? She tries but she can’t! An enormous sneeze sets in motion a small calamity, and Dad gets the blame. But when his daughter speaks up and takes the responsibility, the mood changes...
Little Kunoichi the Ninja Girl
(2015)
Little Kunoichi, a young ninja in training, is frustrated. Inspired by tiny Chibi Samurai’s practice and skills, she works harder than ever and makes a friend. Together, they show the power of perseverance, hard work, and cooperation when they wow the crowd at the Island Festival.
Madam President
(2008)
A little girl imagines what her day would be like if she were Madam President.
Sleeping Bobby
(2005)
It is a magical reworking of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, with a handsome prince named Bob and a feisty princess who wakes him from his enchanted slumber.
The Night Pirates
(2007)
One night, young Tom is awoken by noises outside his house. He peeps out of the window and what should he see but PIRATES. And stranger still they’re GIRL PIRATES stealing the front of his house! Tom joins their adventure across the high seas to an island where some rather lazy and silly grown-up pirates are guarding their treasure. Not very successfully! Tom and the girl-pirates make a surprise attack and are soon off on the seas once more with the treasure!
Made by Raffi
(2014)
Raffi is a shy boy who doesn’t like noisy games and is often teased at school. But when he gets the idea of making a scarf for his dad’s birthday he is full of enthusiasm, even though the other children think it is girly to knit. Then the day draws near for the school pageant, and there is one problem - no costume for the prince. Raffi decides to make a prince's cape.
Marty McGuire
(2011)
Marty McGuire would rather spend recess catching frogs in the pond than playing dress-up with the other girls in third grade. So when her teacher casts Marty as the princess in the class play, Marty’s absolutely sure that there’s been a huge mistake. But after a special lesson in the art of improvisation, Marty comes up with her OWN plan to IMPROVE the play: Using a live frog onstage.
Mommy, Mama, and Me
(2011)
A toddler spends the day with its mommies. From hide-and-seek to dress-up, there’s no limit to what a gay family can do together.
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress
(2011)
Morris loves wearing the tangerine dress in his classroom’s dress-up center. The children in Morris’s class don’t understand. Dresses, they say, are for girls. And Morris certainly isn’t welcome in the spaceship some of his classmates are building. Astronauts, they say, don’t wear dresses. One day, Morris dreams of a fantastic space adventure with his cat, Moo. Inspired by his dream, Morris paints the incredible scene he saw and brings it with him to school.
My Princess Boy
(2009)
Dyson loves pink, sparkly things. Sometimes he wears dresses. Sometimes he wears jeans. He likes to wear his princess tiara, even when climbing trees. He’s a Princess Boy.
Oliver Button is a Sissy
(2017)
It stars a special little boy who won’t give up on the dreams that make him unique. Oliver Button is a sissy. At least that’s what the other boys call him. But here’s what Oliver Button really is: a reader, and an artist, and a singer, and a dancer, and more.
Pearl Fairweather - Pirate Captain
(2016)
Captain Pearl Fairweather is a brave, fair and strong pirate captain. She and her diverse crew of twenty-four women sail the seven seas on the good ship, Harmony, looking only for adventure.
Boys Dance
(2020)
This book subtly seeks to address the prejudice towards boys and ballet by showing the skill, hard work, strength and smarts it takes to be a dancer. It is a book that shows ballet is for everyone.
The Paper Bag Princess
(1981)
The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon kidnaps him. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald – who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance.
The Princess Knight
(2004)
Violet is a young princess who wishes she could show the world that she is just as brave and strong as her brothers. But her strict father insists that she get married, and her brothers only mock her when she wants to be included in their fun. So Violet decides to use her intelligence and bravery to show everyone what she’s made of.
The Sissy Duckling
(2014)
A funny and touching story of a duckling who embraces his identity. Elmer is not like the other boy ducklings. While they like to build forts, he loves to bake cakes. While they like to play baseball, he wants to put on the halftime show. Elmer is a great big sissy. But when his father is wounded by a hunter’s shot, Elmer proves that the biggest sissy can also be the greatest hero.
The Sleeper and the Spindle
(2014)
It merges Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. The Queen sets out on a journey armed with a sword to save the Princess and is the one who rescues her through a kiss.
William’s Doll
(1991)
William wants a doll – to hug, to feed, to tuck in, and kiss goodnight. ‘Don’t be a creep,’ says his brother. ‘sissy, sissy,’ chants the boy next door. His father buys him trains and a basketball – but not the doll that William really wants. Then one day, someone comes along who understands why William should have his doll.
You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer
(2000)
Would you DARE to bare your underwear? If you like CLOTHES and people with the courage to SKIRT conventions and address injustice then Amelia Bloomer and her unFITTING ideas will charm the PANTS off you!
10000 Dresses
(2009)