|
Picture Books that Challenge Gender Stereotypes
|
|
|
|
|
What Riley wore
by Elana K Arnold
"Gender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends"
|
|
|
Dolls and trucks are for everyone
by Robb Pearlman
"From the author and illustrator team behind 'Pink Is for Boys' comes an empowering read-aloud picture book that teaches kids and adults alike that gender cannot define who you are or want to become. Dolls and trucks are for boys and girls, as are dancing shoes, figure skating, and hockey, and many more activities and hobbies. Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban (Pink Is For Boys) create a celebratory read-aloud book that defies gender stereotypes and encourages the youngest readers to reach for the stars and tofollow their dreams no matter what"
|
|
|
Téo's Tutu
by Maryann Jacob Macias
Celebrating gender-creativity, the joy of dance and being yourself, this story follows Teo as he picks out a super sparkly outfit to wear in the big dance recital, but then wonders if it will put him too much in the spotlight. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
|
|
|
Worm loves Worm
by J. J Austrian
A simply told celebration of love in all its splendid forms finds the insect community preparing to attend the wedding of two apparently identical worms and wondering which will wear the tux and which the gown before deciding it does not matter. Illustrated by the artist of the Little Elliot series. 40,000 first printing.
|
|
|
Neither
by Airlie Anderson
Hatching from an unusual egg, a green, feathered, long-eared creature from a land that is made up entirely of blue bunnies and yellow birds embarks on a search to discover where he belongs in a new home of endless colors, shapes and diversity. Simultaneous eBook.
|
|
|
Morris Micklewhite and the tangerine dress
by Christine Baldacchino
Morris faces taunts and criticism when he wears an orange dress to school, but things begin to change for him after he uses his imagination to paint a fantastic picture that he shares with his classmates
|
|
|
Allie's basketball dream
by Barbara E. Barber
Hooked on basketball from the moment she first plays, Allie nearly gives up trying to get her girlfriends to play the "boy's game" with her, but her persistence is finally rewarded. Reprint.
|
|
|
Not every princess
by Jeffrey Bone
After listing activities that are stereotypically, but not always, attributed to princesses, fairies, pirates, superheroes, and more, encourages the reader to imagine what one could be, despite others' expectations. Includes note to parents
|
|
|
Rosie Revere, engineer
by Andrea Beaty
Hiding her prowess as a talented inventor by day, at night Rosie resolves to complete her great-great-aunt Rose's (aka Rosie the Riveter) unfinished flying contraption and is temporarily discouraged when the invention hovers instead of flies, a seeming failure that Aunt Rose encourages her to recognize as an amazing success.
|
|
|
Ruby's Wish
by Shirin Yim Bridges
In China, at a time when few girls are taught to read or write, Ruby dreams of going to the university with her brothers and male cousins.
|
|
|
Felix's new skirt
by Kerstin Brichzin
Felix likes to wear skirts, but when his classmates' merciless teasing makes him want to give up school for good, his parents come up with a way to validate Felix's expression, while also teaching the other children a lesson in acceptance
|
|
|
Drum dream girl : how one girl's courage changed music
by Margarita Engle
Follows a girl in the 1920s as she strives to become a drummer, despite being continually reminded that only boys play the drums, and that there has never been a female drummer in Cuba. Includes note about Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, who inspired the story, and Anacaona, the all-girl dance band she formed with her sisters
|
|
|
The princess knight
by Cornelia Caroline Funke
Envious of her brothers who are in training to become knights, young Violetta is upset that her father won't let her do the same and so disguises herself as a boy in order to take part in the big jousting contest in the hopes of showing everyone that she is just as capable.
|
|
|
Tough Boris
by Mem Fox
When a young boy sneaks onto the ship of Boris von der Borch, a mean, greedy old pirate, he discovers that Boris and his mates are not quite the way they appear.
|
|
|
Red : a crayon's story
by Michael Hall
Red's factory-applied label clearly says that he is red, but despite the best efforts of his teacher, fellow crayons and art supplies, and family members, he cannot seem to do what's expected of him until a new friend offers a fresh perspective.
|
|
|
I look like a girl
by Sheila Hamanaka
Celebrates the many joys of girlhood through lively text and vibrant illustrations.
|
|
|
I Am Jazz
by Jessica Herthel
Based on the young co-author's real-life experiences, the story of a transgender child traces her early awareness that she is a girl in spite of male anatomy and the acceptance she finds through a wise doctor who explains her natural transgender status.
|
|
|
Jacob's New Dress
by Sarah Hoffman
Jacob, who likes to wear dresses at home, convinces his parents to let him wear a dress to school too.
|
|
|
Knit Your Bit : A World War I Story
by Deborah Hopkinson
Wanting to do something helpful when his father leaves to fight overseas during World War I, Mikey learns about a Knitting Bee in Central Park for which volunteers can knit clothing supplies for troops, an event that sparks a competition between the boys and girls in Mikey's class.
|
|
|
Big bob, little Bob
by James Howe
Possessing dissimilar personalities and preferences despite sharing the same name, Big Bob and Little Bob work diligently to overcome their differences and forge a deep bond based on mutual respect.
|
|
|
Little Kunoichi, the ninja girl
by Sanae Ishida
A frustrated little ninja-in-training takes the advice of her wise and tiny Chibi Samurai and makes a friend who helps her demonstrate the shared skills of perseverance, hard work and cooperation at an Island Festival.
|
|
|
Bunnybear
by Andrea J. Loney
Feeling more like a bunny in spite of the bear body he was born with, Bunnybear bounces in the thicket instead of stomping in the forest, knowing his heart to be fluffy like a bunny, and is misunderstood by other bears while wishing to find a friend who will accept him just the way he is.
|
|
|
Julián is a mermaid
by Jessica Love
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes -- and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?
|
|
|
Dahlia
by Barbara McClintock
Preferring her teddy named Bruno with whom she digs in the dirt and climbs trees, Charlotte is not happy about the delicate doll she receives from her Aunt Edme until Dahlia proves she likes making mud cakes and racing wagons, and the two soon become good friends.
|
|
|
The paper bag princess
by Robert N. Munsch
After her castle and clothes are destroyed by the dragon, Princess Elizabeth, dressed only in a paper bag, sets out to rescue Prince Ronald, who was taken captive. On board pages
|
|
|
Tough guys (have feelings too)
by Keith Negley
A series of tough wrestlers, ninjas, superheroes, and bikers let their sensitive sides show, in a book that ensures readers that it is okay to let feelings show
|
|
|
A fire engine for Ruthie
by Lesléa Newman
Ruthie's Nana suggests playing tea party and fashion show during their visit, but Ruthie is much more interested in the vehicles that a neighbor boy is playing with as they pass his house each day.
|
|
|
Sparkle boy
by Lesléa Newman
"Three-year-old Casey wants what his older sister, Jessie, has--a shimmery skirt, glittery painted nails, and a sparkly bracelet--but Jessie does not approve. After two boys tease Casey about his appearance, Jessie evolves to a place of acceptance and celebration of her gender creative younger brother"
|
|
|
Pink is for boys
by Robb Pearlman
Reframes blue-and-pink gender stereotypes in an uplifting celebration of how colors are for everyone, depicting a multicultural group of relatable characters who engage in favorite activities, from racing cars and playing baseball to dressing up and dancing, just because they enjoy them.
|
|
|
Dragons Rule, Princesses Drool!
by Courtney Pippin-mathur
When he encounters a terrifying pair of ribbon-clad, sweet-natured princesses, Dragon, fearing for the safety of his scaly, fire-breathing race, struggles to stop the princess invasion and make friends in spite of scary differences.
|
|
|
The boy & the bindi
by Vivek Shraya
When Ammi teaches her son about the significance of the dot she wears on her forehead, he insists that he wants to wear a bindi, too
|
|
|
Clive and his babies
by Jessica Spanyol
Clive enjoys playing with his two baby dolls at the park, in a wading pool with a friend, and a home with his cat, reading to them, and putting them to bed, Board book.
|
|
|
Phoebe and Digger
by Tricia Springstubb
Receiving an engaging toy truck when a new sibling is born, young Phoebe happily occupies herself while her mother attends the baby and is dismayed when a pushy playground bully steals the beloved truck. By the author of What Happened on Fox Street.
|
|
|
Want to play trucks?
by Ann Stott
Meeting most mornings to play together in the playground sandbox, Jack and Alex engage in relatable squabbles when they want to play with different toys. Illustrated by the award-winning creator of How to Heal a Broken Wing
|
|
|
Teddy's favorite toy
by Christian Trimmer
Teddy has a lot of cool toys, but his very favorite doll has the best manners, the sickest fighting skills and a fierce sense of style-until one morning something truly awful happens and it's up to Mom to reunite Teddy with his favorite toy. Simultaneous eBook.
|
|
|
Not all princesses dress in pink
by Jane Yolen
A celebration of a girl's unlimited potential features rhythmic text describing a variety of princesses who enjoy playing sports, jumping in mud puddles and making messes--all while wearing their sparkling tiaras. By the authors of the Unsolved Mysteries from History series.
|
|
|
William's doll
by Charlotte Zolotow
William's grandmother is the only member of the family who understands why he wants a doll as well as a basketball and an electric train
|
|
|
|
|
|