Three on a Theme: Challenging Gender Norms
There are a few picture book titles featuring characters that challenge the gender norm in a variety of ways. The characters tend to be portrayed as male and are often interested in “girly” things. It’s much more difficult to find a character portrayed as female that identifies as male (you’ll most likely see them portrayed as “tomboys”).
What I like about these three books is that they focus on different things are important to share with kids. The Boy & the Bindi is one of the only diverse titles that I’ve seen about gender fluidity, showing young children that gender fluidity isn’t just about white people. I Am Jazz is based on a real-life experience of a (now) teenager named Jazz who knew she was transgender from a very young age. Books are a great way to start a conversation, but kids also need to realize that gender fluidity is something in the real world and the journey for transgender people can be long and difficult. Finally, Red is about a crayon who has a red wrapping but just doesn’t feel like they fit in. These are just three titles about challenging gender norms in picture books, you’ll find a few more with a simple web search!
Booklist
The Boy & the Bindi by Vivek Shraya
“A beautiful children’s picture book that showcases a young Indian boy’s fascination with his mother’s bindi, the red dot commonly worn by Hindu women. Rather than chastise her son, she teaches him about its cultural significance and doesn’t flinch when he asks for one himself. Wearing it allows him to joyfully explore and express his difference.” (Taken from Goodreads)
I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel & Jazz Jennings
“The story of a transgender child based on the real-life experience of Jazz Jennings, who has become a spokesperson for transkids everywhere.
From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body. She loved pink and dressing up as a mermaid and didn’t feel like herself in boys’ clothing. This confused her family, until they took her to a doctor who said that Jazz was transgender and that she was born that way. Jazz’s story is based on her real-life experience and she tells it in a simple, clear way that will be appreciated by picture book readers, their parents, and teachers.” (Taken from Goodreads)
Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall
“A blue crayon mistakenly labeled as “red” suffers an identity crisis in the new picture book by the New York Times–bestselling creator of My Heart Is Like a Zoo and It’s an Orange Aardvark!Funny, insightful, and colorful, Red: A Crayon’s Story, by Michael Hall, is about being true to your inner self and following your own path despite obstacles that may come your way. Red will appeal to fans of Lois Ehlert, Eric Carle, and The Day the Crayons Quit, and makes a great gift for readers of any age!
Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let’s draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can’t be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He’s blue! This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone!” (Taken from Goodreads)
