Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
little bee books (2019), Edition: Illustrated, 32 pages
Description
Illustrations and simple, rhyming text challenge the idea that boys and girls should each wear only certain colors or play with certain toys, and encourages them to be true to themselves.
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Author Laura Gehl, creator of the Peep and Egg picture-books, teams up with illustrator Joshua Heinsz in this rhyming picture-book meant to encourage children to play in any way that they like, regardless of traditional ideas of gender. The text presents some obvious "boy" and "girl" activities,
One of a number of recent picture-books intended to break down rigid gender demarcations, when it comes to childhood play and identity - see also: Pink Is for Boys, Big Bob, Little Bob, Jamie Is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way, and so on - Except When They Don't pairs Gehl's fun rhyming text with Heinsz's bright, rainbow-hued artwork. I appreciated the fact that Gehl didn't attempt to deny either boys or girls the activities more traditionally assigned to their genders, but rather, emphasized that all pursuits are (and should be) suitable for all children. This one reminded me of the recent Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight (and its companion, Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate), which had similar goals, and which were also told in rhyme. That said, this one felt a little less pointed, despite its obvious didactic purpose, and the artwork was more appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for new picture-books to combat gender stereotypes, when it comes to childhood play.
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seemingly upholding the pink/blue divide, only to subvert it each time with the titular refrain. In the end, the narrator encourages all children to just be themselves...One of a number of recent picture-books intended to break down rigid gender demarcations, when it comes to childhood play and identity - see also: Pink Is for Boys, Big Bob, Little Bob, Jamie Is Jamie: A Book About Being Yourself and Playing Your Way, and so on - Except When They Don't pairs Gehl's fun rhyming text with Heinsz's bright, rainbow-hued artwork. I appreciated the fact that Gehl didn't attempt to deny either boys or girls the activities more traditionally assigned to their genders, but rather, emphasized that all pursuits are (and should be) suitable for all children. This one reminded me of the recent Harrison Dwight, Ballerina and Knight (and its companion, Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate), which had similar goals, and which were also told in rhyme. That said, this one felt a little less pointed, despite its obvious didactic purpose, and the artwork was more appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for new picture-books to combat gender stereotypes, when it comes to childhood play.
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Awards
CLEL Bell Picture Book Award for Early Literacy (Nominee — Play — 2020)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
32 p.; 9.75 x 8.25 inches
ISBN
1499808046 / 9781499808049