What Page Are You On? by tollipop
Every visit to the children's section of the library leaves me a bit flustered. While it's exciting to leave with a new pile of books in our bag I have this disappointing and unsettling feeling in my stomach. Why is it so hard to find books about strong girls and capable women for my intelligent little Chickpea? I find that I really have to seek them out ahead of time to reserve instead of pulling them off the shelf, and you know that just doesn't sit well with me.
What really irks me is that there are plenty of books out there that could have easily been written using a female pronoun for a fluffy little bear but the author chooses to use the male. I find myself switching all the he's for she's when we cuddle up for our evening story time. In fact most children's books are written from the male perspective and as my mother-in-law pointed out (mind you she's a retired middle school librarian so she knows her children's literature) most authors write from a male perspective because it's assumed that most boys and girls will read stories about boys but boys will not read stories about girls. Thus from a marketing perspective you'd have a more salable book if you make the main character a male. I know it's a generalization but an interesting theory right? Could that be why, Lama Lama Mad at Mama is dedicated to the author's daughter yet the main character is a boy? If so, shame on you.
Perhaps I'm being too synical and a little bitter. I already know that regardless of what she reads, my little girl will grow up with an intelligent mind, self-sufficient attitude and determined spirit but I'd like to think that times have really changed. And of course they have but to what extent? My little girl likes worms, garbage trucks, dinosaurs, kicking stuff and getting dirty, not to mention dolls, fountains, tea parties, cooking stuff and giving hugs. She's already a multi-dimensional girl who rock, so write about it alright!
Here's a list of books that we have or I'm going to get and a few more to check out. Any other suggestions? Even ones that bend the gender rolls for boys?
I Want to be a Cowgirl by Jeanne Willis
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert N. Munsch
Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle
The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke
The Seven Chinese Sisters by Kathy Tucker
Anna Banana and Me by Lenore Blegvad
Christina Katerina and the Box by Patricia Gauch
Update: Check out this post from Katherine at Rock-a-Dee-Da for a list of more books for with good messages for girls. Thanks Kath!
