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Original poster

Worrying content - Good night stories for rebel girls

54 replies

WeMeetInFairIthilien · 11/02/2026 10:24

Under a different username, I have had a long running battle with my DC's school, over their promotion of GI, using No Outsiders for resources, and "She's my Dad" for reading comprehension lessons.

Juat seen the content of the book from the year 5+6 reading list, which DD has picked. Meant to be non-fiction, about women and girls.

Pg 46, elementary school child - a boy who likes pink and shiny shoes. Affirmed immediately. Taken to the doctor, who affirms the boy feels like a girl inside. Toilet question comes up 'I can't use the disabled, I'm a girl'. A judge rules that the boy can use the girls toilets. They have a party to celebrate with pink cake.

My eyes have rolled back so far in my head that I can see my own brain.

Have sent the following message to the school.

*Good morning,
I would just like to draw your attention to some concerning content in one of your recommended reading books for year 5 and 6.
In "Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls", the entry is on page 46, describing a young, gender questioning boy.

The entry is concerning due to;

  1. Promoting harmful stereotypes - that being a girl is about liking pink, dresses and sparkly shoes. This is contrary to the school's statutory duty to prevent the promotion of harmful stereotypes.
  1. It is out of date - it states that a judge has decided that the gender questioning child can use the toilet of the opposite sex, if they want to. Almost a year ago (April 2025), the Supreme Court ruled that, in British law, it is not gender identity, but biological sex that determines entry to single sex spaces, such as toilets.

My DC immediately identified the harmful stereotypes presented in this entry, however given that it is stating out-of-date ideas that are contrary to the law, I would request that you review the appropriateness of having this book on the recommended reading list.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this,

Many thanks*

I'd really hoped that this shit was over.

Worrying content - Good night stories for rebel girls
Worrying content - Good night stories for rebel girls
OP posts:
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ScrollingLeaves · 28/02/2026 12:17

AelitaQueenofMars · 27/02/2026 20:34

But maybe your approach might have spread the word, as it were!

Show quote history

Yes. At least razor out the offending pages first.

AelitaQueenofMars · 27/02/2026 20:34

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 21/02/2026 13:53

Found it. Just putting it in the charity pile.

But maybe your approach might have spread the word, as it were!

AelitaQueenofMars · 27/02/2026 20:29

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 21/02/2026 13:53

Found it. Just putting it in the charity pile.

I bought this book back in the day to read to DD, then very small. Reaching that chapter turned out to be a very early entry in my road from Lib Fem-dom to gender critical, with a ‘wtf?!’ moment mid-read. The book didn’t go to the charity shop, it went into the recycling bin.

Original poster
WeMeetInFairIthilien · 25/02/2026 19:56

In further details, the teacher who has been placed in charge of literacy and the library is new to the position this academic year.

She informed me that the reading list was created in 2016, and that the book was very definitely out of date.

Which, set me thinking of all the things that have changed since 2016. It was the year my eldest was born, and probably the first time I'd really, viscerally understood the utter imposition of men in female spaces. I found FWR by incident, when looking up baby advice.

We couldn't object, we couldn't name the issue, we couldn't discuss.

Compared to 2026. We are WORIADS, we have the FWS judgement (judgment?), we have absolute warriors of women (and some men) who have put everything on the line to stand up for science, biology and women's rights.

It's been a good day.

I think I need a 🍷

OP posts:
Delphinium20 · 25/02/2026 19:16

I'm very opposed to any kind of book banning. As an American, I'm also very much a believer in free speech, which inspired me to these little acts of resistance:

This exact book was given as a gift to my daughter, so I wrote in pen "not a girl" under the headline.

I went to the library, found it, and wrote the same thing in the same place.

I've since done it a few libraries. I travel for work, so I can do it under the radar.

FranticFrankie · 25/02/2026 19:11

Result!!!! 👌❤️

ScrollingLeaves · 25/02/2026 19:01

Well done! Not just for doing this but how you do it. So politely but incisively.

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 25/02/2026 17:48

Winner!

womendeserveequalhumanrights · 25/02/2026 17:39

Well done OP. Protecting girls from harmful stereotypes is so important! It's frustrating that they are relying on parents to identify when books are inappropriate and break the law, but luckily there are many of us checking our children's reading materials to ensure it's safe and age - appropriate. 💪

Original poster
WeMeetInFairIthilien · 25/02/2026 16:51

PollyNomial · 25/02/2026 16:36

Getting books banned has such a long and illustrious history; I hope you make a celebratory pyre on 8 August.

Not banned, just removed from a recommended reading list and primary school library for;

  1. Promoting harmful stereotypes (against the stuatory duties of the school)

And

  1. Stating out of date and incorrect information as the law. This goes against the PSED of the school.

The book is still freely available to purchase, and parents can make their own choices about whether they wish to purchase it for their child.

The teacher who made the decision informed me that they have not read every single page of every single book on their reading list and thanked us for bringing it to their attention.

If the school is found by Ofsted to have promoted harmful stereotypes and failed in their PSED, they are in a potentially very serious situation.

But, just as I would suggest that it probably isn't suitable to have a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey in a PRIMARY school library, nor a copy of Crime and Punishment, or even 1984, it does not stand to reason that I wish for those books to be banned, nor burnt.

We, as adults have the discretion, to look at a book and decide if itis really appropriate for a child.

Edited for SPAG

OP posts:
MrsOvertonsWindow · 25/02/2026 16:42

Well done OP. There a wealth of books for children out there that don't promote harmful stereotypes and it's great that the school has recognised that.

MJMabel · 25/02/2026 16:37

Well done OP, that is great news.

PollyNomial · 25/02/2026 16:36

Getting books banned has such a long and illustrious history; I hope you make a celebratory pyre on 8 August.

Original poster
WeMeetInFairIthilien · 25/02/2026 16:29

Emigree · 25/02/2026 16:17

'the school is being mean to me' Coy wailed

Are we sure the writers weren't taking the piss by including this particular gem in the write up?

What age is this book intended for? - it seems very simple and patronising, I think my dd would have given it major side eye from age 7 onwards

I've not idea about the intended age of the book, but it was on the year 5/6 reading list (100 books to read in yesr 5 and 6) - so 9, 10 and 11 years.

DD is making a concerted effort to read her way through the entire list.

OP posts:
Emigree · 25/02/2026 16:17

'the school is being mean to me' Coy wailed

Are we sure the writers weren't taking the piss by including this particular gem in the write up?

What age is this book intended for? - it seems very simple and patronising, I think my dd would have given it major side eye from age 7 onwards

AlexandraLeaving · 25/02/2026 16:10

This is awesome news OP. I remember your original thread. Well done for continuing to fight the good fight so graciously (and successfully) and for rearing a daughter with a grip on reality.

Original poster
WeMeetInFairIthilien · 25/02/2026 16:03

UPDATE

The book and my complaint was referred to the school library/literacy team.

I have just had a phone call with the outcome.

They agree that

  1. The story promotes harmful stereotypes and
  2. It is out of date.

As such, the book has been removed from the library, and the reading list has been updated to no longer include it.

And DD and I were both thanked for bringing it to the attention of the school.

I'd call that a win!

Especially in the dying days of LGBTXYZGTPETC History Month, and with my history with the school and their policies.

OP posts:
ScrollingLeaves · 21/02/2026 14:50

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 21/02/2026 13:53

Found it. Just putting it in the charity pile.

What an awful story on so many grounds.

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 21/02/2026 13:53

Found it. Just putting it in the charity pile.

Worrying content - Good night stories for rebel girls
Original poster
WeMeetInFairIthilien · 11/02/2026 19:57

Well, no reply as yet, however the staff member I messaged was absent today.

OP posts:
EasternStandard · 11/02/2026 19:48

Yes it’s problematic that a male is included. Take the page out imo

Thewonderfuleveryday · 11/02/2026 19:42

It went in our recycling bin eventually. It's a crime they ruined a wonderful book by including men.

ScrollingLeaves · 11/02/2026 19:30

Well done. You have set out the argument so clearly. Let’s hope they never actually read the whole book and putting it in the library was a mistake which they will now rectify by removing it.

deadpan · 11/02/2026 17:50

WeMeetInFairIthilien · 11/02/2026 10:24

Under a different username, I have had a long running battle with my DC's school, over their promotion of GI, using No Outsiders for resources, and "She's my Dad" for reading comprehension lessons.

Juat seen the content of the book from the year 5+6 reading list, which DD has picked. Meant to be non-fiction, about women and girls.

Pg 46, elementary school child - a boy who likes pink and shiny shoes. Affirmed immediately. Taken to the doctor, who affirms the boy feels like a girl inside. Toilet question comes up 'I can't use the disabled, I'm a girl'. A judge rules that the boy can use the girls toilets. They have a party to celebrate with pink cake.

My eyes have rolled back so far in my head that I can see my own brain.

Have sent the following message to the school.

*Good morning,
I would just like to draw your attention to some concerning content in one of your recommended reading books for year 5 and 6.
In "Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls", the entry is on page 46, describing a young, gender questioning boy.

The entry is concerning due to;

  1. Promoting harmful stereotypes - that being a girl is about liking pink, dresses and sparkly shoes. This is contrary to the school's statutory duty to prevent the promotion of harmful stereotypes.
  1. It is out of date - it states that a judge has decided that the gender questioning child can use the toilet of the opposite sex, if they want to. Almost a year ago (April 2025), the Supreme Court ruled that, in British law, it is not gender identity, but biological sex that determines entry to single sex spaces, such as toilets.

My DC immediately identified the harmful stereotypes presented in this entry, however given that it is stating out-of-date ideas that are contrary to the law, I would request that you review the appropriateness of having this book on the recommended reading list.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this,

Many thanks*

I'd really hoped that this shit was over.

Well said, let us know what the school replies with

deadpan · 11/02/2026 17:48

My eyes have rolled back so far in my head that I can see my own brain
😂😂