Modern fairytale for toddlers

[surreygirl1987]

I have a 1 year old and a 3 year old. My 3 year old has recently really got into fairytale and asks for them all the time. However, despite being somewhat modernised, they're still the same stories with traditional gender stereotypes that I was fed as a child. Women's sole role is to marry a handsome prince etc. I really hate the princess and the frog, and the princess and the pea and I hate that I'm giving my two little boys these messages. Does anyone know of a fairytale collection (like the usborne fairytale books) that are the right level for a 3 year old to enjoy, but which aren't problematic in terms of gender portrayal? Many thanks, Charlotte

Control what a child reads and plays with because of their gender is ridiculous and contributes to how gender is constructed from a very young age..

Oh the irony!

@RedDeadRoach agreed and how threatened they seem when that's challenged.

Thanks to OP though as Ive found this a really helpful thread and have saved a lot of ideas for my little ones Christmas. Shame it was a bit hijacked

Don't know where you live OP but on a similar theme it sounds like you'd enjoy the panto they do at the Lyric in Hammersmith. Maybe one to look into for next year as it's always very up to date.

@kmbegs

Actually it was OP and you who are threatened by me not having a problem with some fairytales having gender roles and not wanting to totally change them all for your specific 2021 opinion. If you want that buy new books.

It’s seems your threatened by old fairy tales having gender roles and horrified a boy might hear one some day. Who knows what might happen if that were to occur?!😬

@tarascrazytiara Yes, okay, sure, we all find you so threatening 🙄🙈 Is there a reason you're still here, still posting?!

@fusionchefgeoff thanks for that! I'm actually not massively far away so will look into it... think that might be right up my street!

@kmbegs

Thanks to OP though as Ive found this a really helpful thread and have saved a lot of ideas for my little ones Christmas. Shame it was a bit hijacked

No worries- I'm mega grateful for all the great ideas! People are so helpful! (And the hijacking attempt was amusing more than anything 😄)

*Control what a child reads and plays with because of their gender is ridiculous and contributes to how gender is constructed from a very young age..

Oh the irony!*

😆

Well this thread has gone off the rails somewhat but I appreciate the recommendations from those that made them! OP I have the same issue with my DD who loves fairytales too ... I did buy the Gender Swapped Fairy Tales book which is lovely, but she's too little for it at 3, imo. It's lots of words, her attention span won't last that long – I'm keeping it for when she's a little bit older though, it's great.

I find myself swapping genders around when I'm reading to her anyway as the default male enrages me. In animal stories; in all sorts of stories when the gender could be balanced. This will not work when she can read for herself I admit.

@mowly77

So the fairy tales which enrage you are fine when the genders are swapped? What?

What about Abbie Longstaff's Fairytale Hairdresser series? They are takes on a classic fairytales, where the main character is a hairdresser who steps in and saves the day. Although they do still have the princess marrying the prince it comes across as between equals because he isn't rescuing her. I like that they introduce a strong female role without requiring her to have all the same characteristics as a traditional male hero (ie sword fighting etc), and they were a lot more popular with DD that full fairytale reversals like the Paper bag princess or Princess Smartypants. My DS used to happily listen too and they would be right for age 3.