Gender Equality Seen Through Picture Books
Recommended picture books
1. William's Doll by Charlotte Zolotow, on breaking through gender identity. The story follows a little boy who wants a doll. Because he is a boy, this small wish draws disgust from his brother and taunts of being effeminate from the neighbourhood children, and his father will only buy him other toys. Then one day his grandmother arrives, granting the boy's long-held wish and helping his father understand that there is nothing wrong with a boy who plays with dolls. A picture book that helps children understand love and equality.
2. Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman, on gender equality education and race. Grace wants to act in the school play; she wants to be Peter Pan, but everyone says she is not suited to it because she is not a boy and she is not white. She does it all the same. What an amazing Grace. Dreams cross gender and race: with determination, anything you set out to do is within reach. You can be anything you want!
3. A Real Man by Manuela Olten, translated by Kao Yu-ching, on gender stereotypes. Two boys criticise girls harshly, saying girls are dull and spend all day combing dolls' hair and dressing and undressing them, and that they are cowards who fear the dark and ghosts. Yet the moment they mention the word "ghost", both frown and ask anxiously, "Are there ghosts?" Through the boys' bedtime conversation, children are guided to share and clarify their own ideas about gender, and to learn respect for people of different genders.
For detailed information, please refer to the relevant promotional materials.
