Illustration © Jessica Love from JULIÁN IS A MERMAID
In classrooms and homes across the country, kids and teens are revolutionizing concepts of gender.
Their revolution is made all the more more extraordinary by the fact that early childhood in America is filled with gender stereotypes. From toys to talk to television, we reinforce gender roles and the gender binary.
The Gender Binary: A system of viewing gender as consisting solely of two, opposite categories, termed “male and female”, in which no other possibilities for gender or anatomy are believed to exist. —Transstudent.org
In a study done by Nancy K. Freeman at the University of South Carolina, children “accurately apply common gender stereotypes to toys by the time they are three and readily predict their parents’ opinions about gender-typical and cross-gender play.” (Early Childhood Education Journal)
For many families the division of play, toys, and books into “boy” and “girl” categories seems natural. It is the way they were raised and how they will raise their children. But as more and more adults, teens, and kids question what gender means for them personally, children’s curiosity about diverse identities and roles grows.
Here is a curious collection of books that joyfully put dolls, cars, and mermaids into the arms of children that simply want to play.
Here is a conversation about these books with Olga Peters of Green Mountain Mornings!
Clive and his Babies
Clive and his Bags
Clive is a Nurse
Clive is a Waiter
Clive and his Hats
Clive is a Teacher
Clive and his Art
Clive is a Librarian
By Jessica Spanyol
Illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Published by Child’s Play-International
Age Range: 1 – 3 Years
Locate at an Indie Bookstore
What will Clive be today? Follow Clive and his friends as they explore their world. Role-play is crucial to a child’s positive development, boosting language and social skills, and building self-confidence. This humorous and caring interaction of an inclusive group of playmates will inspire young readers to create their own diverse roles, free of gender stereotypes.
Rosa Loves Dinosaurs
Rosa Loves Cars
Rosa Rides Her Scooter
Rosa Plays Ball
By Jessica Spanyol
Illustrated by Jessica Spanyol
Published by Child’s Play-International
Age Range: 1 – 3 Years
Locate at an Indie Bookstore
Let’s find out which toys Rosa and her friends are playing with today! An important series that celebrates inclusivity, promotes gender equality and embraces the uniqueness of every child.
Want to Play Trucks?
By Ann Stott
Illustrated by Bob Graham
Published by Candlewick Press
ISBN-13: 9780763681739
Age Range: 3 – 7 Years
Locate at an Indie Bookstore
Jack likes trucks. Alex likes dolls. What will they play together? Their new favorite game, of course!
Jack and Alex meet almost every morning in the sandbox at the playground. Jack likes trucks — big ones, the kind that can wreck things. Alex likes dolls — pink ones, with sparkles. And tutus. But Jack doesn’t want to play dolls, and Alex doesn’t want to play trucks. Readers will smile at the quintessential playground squabble on display in this amusing, relatable tale from Ann Stott and Bob Graham. Luckily for Jack and Alex, the day is saved with a little bit of compromise — what about dolls who drive trucks? — and the easy acceptance that characterizes the youngest of friendships. Not to mention a familiar jingle from nearby that reminds Jack and Alex of something else they both like: ice crea
Julián Is a Mermaid
By Jessica Love
Illustrated by Jessica Love
Published by Candlewick Press
ISBN-13: 9780763690458
Age Range: 4 – 80 Years
Locate at an Indie Bookstore
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? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality.
