20 Children's Books That Redefine Gender Roles

A collection that defies normal, challenges stereotypes, and encourages individuality.

Tags: Books, Children, Gender Roles, Stereotypes, Individuality, Diversity

The Paper Bag Princess of one children's book of many that teaches a valuable lesson about

gender roles

Sometimes the best way to teach a child about individuality, nonconformity, and diversity is with

the rhythmic text, imaginative storylines, and captivating illustrations of a good book. Children

and parents alike can step into a world where boys wear dresses, princesses play sports, and self-

acceptance reigns. Here are 20 books that challenge preconceived notions of what it means to be

a boy or girl, a mom or dad, or even a pirate!

1. MADE BY RAFFI

BY: Craig Pomranz

Unlike the other boys at school, Raffi doesnt enjoy noisy, rough-and-tumble games. Instead, he prefers to knit - though the other children think its girly and tease him for it. But when theres no costume for the prince in the school pageant, its Raffi and his knitting skills that save the day.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Follow the beat of your own drum, despite what others may

think.

2. WHEN THE BEES FLY HOME

BY: Andrea Cheng

Jonathan is frustrated that he isnt strong enough to help his father with his beekeeping duties, but he finds other ways to help his family when a drought hits and they struggle to make ends

meet. He uses his artistic talents to sculpt beautiful beeswax candles, which are a hit at the

market.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Though boys may feel misunderstood if they dont fit the norm, artistic and sensitive boys hold their own special place.

3. THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS

BY: Robert Munsch

Princess Elizabeth is about to marry Prince Roland when a dragon kidnaps the prince and

destroys her castle, burning all of her clothes. With nothing to wear but a paper bag, Elizabeth

valiantly saves her prince - who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance. But

Elizabeth doesnt care that she doesnt fit the perfect picture of a princess. THE MORAL OF THE STORY: True princesses are true to themselves.

4. WILLIAMS DOLL

BY: Charlotte Zolotow

When William asks for a doll, everyone tries to talk him out of it. His brother calls him a sissy, and his father buys him boy toys to try to change his mind. The only person who understands him is his granny, who buys him a baby doll to care for.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Playing with dolls teaches kids to become nurturing and

caring - just as important for boys as girls!

5. YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER

BY: Shana Corey

This is the story of Amelia Bloomer, a rebellious reformer and early women's rights activist.

Amelia thinks proper women of the time are silly they cant work, vote, and have to wear such restricting clothing. So she invents the bloomers - baggy pantaloons worn with a short skirt

over them.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Just because society says its right, doesnt mean it is.

6. BALLERINO NATE

BY: Kimberly B. Bradley

Nate loves everything about ballet the music, the fluttery costumes, the movements so he decides he wants to learn ballet, too. But Nate is confused when his big brother tells him boys

cant be ballerinas and he sees hes the only boy in his ballet class. So his mother takes him to a real ballet to meet a male dancer.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Following your dreams requires persistence, self-acceptance,

and ambition.

7. 10,000 DRESSES

BY: Marcus Ewert

Bailey loves dresses of all kinds, but Baileys parents tell him he shouldnt even be thinking of dresses because hes a boy. Then Bailey meets Laurel, an older girl who is inspired by his imagination and courage. The two becomes friends and begin making dresses together.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Become the person you feel you are inside.

8. ALLIES BASKETBALL DREAM

BY: Barbara E. Barber

Allie is very excited when her father gives her a basketball for her birthday. She practices

everyday in hopes of becoming a professional basketball player. But all of her friends discourage

her, calling basketball a boys game. Encouraged by her father, Allie doesnt give up and eventually proves her worth.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: You can be anything you want to be - no matter what other

people say.

10. A FIRE ENGINE FOR RUTHI

BY: Lesla Newman Though Ruthies grandmother has prepared a tea party, dolls and dress-up for her granddaughters visit, Ruthie isnt interested in any of those things. Instead, shed rather play with trains and fire engines. When Nana notices Ruthies preferences, she joins in the fun herself.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Accept and celebrate the things that make you - and others -

unique.

11. FREE TO BEYOU AND ME

BY: Marlo Thomas

A collection of original stories, songs, and poems accompanied by whimsical drawings and

stunning illustrations. Each story celebrates individuality, encourages diversity, and challenges

stereotypes in a joyful, positive way. One story, for example, retells the Greek legend of Atalanta

about babies who use gender stereotypes to try to discover which is a boy and which a girl.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Think outside of gender roles.

12. PRINCESSES CAN BE PIRATES TOO!

BY: Christi Zellerhoff

A princess can do anything a pirate can do from captaining a ship, to taking charge of the crew, to fending off foes. Just because a girl is wearing a gold crown and a pink fluffy dress, doesnt mean she cant be a pirate as well as any boy. THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Girls neednt be confined to being either princesses or pirates. They can be both!

13. SHOPPING WITH DAD

BY: Matt Harvey

Mom is working, so its Dads turn to take his little girl to the supermarket. But disaster ensues when a giant sneeze sets in motion a calamity and Dad gets the blame.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Mom and Dad can switch up their typical roles.

14. TOUGH BORIS

BY: Padmaja Ganeshan-Singh

When a young boy sneaks onto a pirate ship, his preconceived idea about pirates melts away as

he becomes part of the crew. The pirates are not mean, cruel or tough like he once thought -

rather theyre sensitive and kind. THE MORAL OF THE STORY: People are not always what they appear.

15. ALL I WANT TO BE IS ME

BY: Phyllis Rothblatt

A celebration of all children being who they are, this books shows children with different

preferences of how they identify themselves, what activities they like, and how they dress. This

book gives voice to the feelings of children who don't fit into narrow gender stereotypes, and

who just want to be themselves.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: There is more than one way to express your gender.

16. LITTLE KUNOICHI, THE NINJA GIRL

BY: Sanae Ishida

Little Kunoichi is a young ninja in training who is having trouble mastering her ninja skills. One

day she meets a samurai who shows her that perseverance, hard work and cooperation can

unleash her powers.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Being a girl doesnt stop you from being a ninja!

17. MORRIS MICKLEWHITE AND THE TANGERINE DRESS

BY: Christine Baldacchino

Morris loves to wear the tangerine dress in his classrooms dress-up bin. But the children in Morris class dont allow astronauts wearing dresses in their make-believe space ship. When Morris paints a scene of fantastic space adventure and brings it to school, his classmates are

entranced.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Nonconformity and individuality are what makes you

special.

18. ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER

BY: Andrea Beaty

Rosie wants nothing more than to become an engineer, even if her uncle laughs at the idea. So

when her great-great-aunt, Rose, tells her shes always wanted to fly, Rosie gets to work to make her aunts dream come true. Though her contraption crashes, her aunt explains why Rosies invention is not actually a failure.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: You can be anything you want to be.

19. NOT ALL PRINCESSES DRESS IN PINK

BY: Jane Yolen

You dont need to take off your tiara to jump in mud puddles, climb trees, play sports and make messes. From farming and ball-playing, to fighting evil sorcerers and skipping in the mud, these

girls all have something in common - they wear a sparkly crown.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Its not the tiaras or pink gowns that make a princess - princesses come in all shapes and sizes.

20. MAX, THE STUBBORN LITTLE WOLF

BY: Marie-Odile Judes

Everyone knows that wolves are hunters, but Max thinks hunting is mean and horrible and

prefers to be a florist. But this is something Papa Wolf cannot accept and so he tries to make his

son a hunter - with little success.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Fulfill your ambitions even in the face of parental pressure.