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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

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Original poster

Rebel Girls- for Boys . . .

11 replies

Itscoldoutside01 · 30/01/2018 14:25

My daughter has been given several books about inspirational women over the past year and I wondered if I was alone in feeling slightly miffed that these books are primarily targeted toward girls. I feel quite strongly that boys need to be exposed to strong female role models too. Of course, my son can also read these books- but it will certainly be of putting to some young boys who will not read a book with 'for girls' in the title. Is it just because I'm feeling a bit tightly wound today- or has anyone else noticed this ?

OP posts:

SwanVests · 30/01/2018 14:27

Pretty much every book/ tv show out there features a lead male. It’s not as though they’re exactly underrepresented is it? There’s one book out there that’s not aimed at boys, your ds will survive.

Original poster

Itscoldoutside01 · 30/01/2018 14:33

I didn't make my point so well! I meant that in a world of 'leading men', boys need to know about these women too. Not just my son, who will read these books at home, but all boys.

OP posts:

OhNoGroken · 30/01/2018 14:38

I’m with you, OP. I want both my children (one male and one female) to grow up with the idea that strong female leads are normal. I want them both to grow up feminist. I feel like the book would have been better titled “bedtime stories about rebel girls” or similar.

SwanVests · 30/01/2018 14:39

Oh, I see your point sorry. I suppose these books were aimed at empowering young girls. If your ds is unlikely to read a book which says girls on the cover would he really read a book that’s about strong, historical women? How old is he? Would he understand if you explained?

Original poster

Itscoldoutside01 · 30/01/2018 14:39

I'm not just talking about the Rebel Girls book btw. She has at least 5 in this genre. I'm fully aware that they can be read by boys. Of course I am. Does anyone have sons that have been bought this type of book/taken them out if the library?

OP posts:

catyloopylou · 30/01/2018 14:44

I have a younger version of this book (can't remember the title) which I've been reading with my DS(6). He's been really interested in some of the stories and I don't think he's cottoned on to the book being aimed at girls. I also have the Rebel Girls book to read with him later. And I'll be reading both with DS2 also.

But I do agree with you that it would be good to see these sorts of books aimed to interest boys too. I'm getting so fed up with the Horrid Henry books he keeps bringing back from school!

GreyCloudsToday · 30/01/2018 14:47

I bought it for my DS.

Branleuse · 30/01/2018 14:48

i agree, these figures need to be promoted as role models to boys too.

Stong inspirational women are seen as for girls, whereas strong inspirational men are seen as for everyone

Original poster

Itscoldoutside01 · 30/01/2018 15:03

That is good to know. I suppose it became very obvious to me this Christmas that these books are primarily given to girls. It's heartening that boys are getting access to them as well. I might have a chat with their school ( he is yr3) about promoting them in their library.

OP posts:

BlueChampagne · 30/01/2018 16:45

I bought DS2's friend (a girl) a copy of "Hurrah for Women" for her birthday, and he requested a copy too

brilliotic · 31/01/2018 11:56

I'm with you OP. And it's not just 'inspirational' books either; very many children's books that have female lead characters are marketed extremely gendered. The story itself may well be quite 'neutral' but because it contains a heroine rather than a hero, the cover comes along all pink/purple/sparkly/flowery/cutesy.

IMO that is not needed to attract girls to the book (the content is enough), but it does serve to detract many boys from the books.

It's considered fine for girls to read books with male lead characters, but it is seen as odd for boys to enjoy books with female lead characters pink sparkly covers.

It is no question that in a male dominated world, we need books celebrating women's achievements. But we desperately ought to educate our boy children about this as well as our girl children. Or 'equality' will always be a women's issue rather than a human issue.

FTR, DS gets given 'girl' books but would not choose them. Occasionally he gets into one, but he misses the social exchange that he gets from sharing his favourite books with his (male) friends who won't touch a sparkly book with a bargepole. So his enjoyment of 'girl' books is always a much more lonely experience, whereas reading otherwise is a very social activity for him.

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