During a classroom discussion about toys, a five-year-old named Janine
made a simple yet powerful observation:
“There’s no such thing as a girl toy or a boy toy.”
Her words, though straightforward, carry a profound message that challenges deeply ingrained norms. In a world where children are often guided by traditional ideas of boy and girl activities, could it be that kids like Janine are more open to a world without limits?
Children’s picture books, filled with playful characters and vivid stories, are often the first place kids encounter ideas about who they’re supposed to be. But what if these stories could also be a path to breaking down gender stereotypes? By embracing books that challenge traditional roles, we can help children explore a world where they’re free to be just who they are.
As educators and parents, it’s time to rethink how early learning environments shape ideas of gender - and to embrace the limitless potential every child brings.
Janine voiced a belief, shared by many young children, that everyone should be free to play, dress, and express themselves however they choose, without restrictions. Her words reflect a growing awareness among children that gender should not limit interests or activities.
But while many young children echo this sentiment,
traditional gender expectations are still deeply embedded in society.
Picture books, which serve as some of the earliest influences on a child’s perception of the world, play a powerful role in either reinforcing or challenging these ideas.
Picture Books as Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors
Renowned scholar Rudine Sims Bishop* described literature as acting as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for young readers. Books can:
Mirror children’s own lives and experiences, helping them feel seen and understood.
Provide windows into the lives of others, broadening their perspectives.
Act as sliding glass doors that allow children to step into the experiences of others, cultivating empathy and open-mindedness.
When picture books portray traditional gender roles, they often reflect and reinforce societal expectations about boy and girl behaviors. For many children, this early exposure to gendered characters becomes a mirror, shaping their understanding of who they should be.
Books with diverse and nontraditional characters, however, can become windows and sliding doors that challenge the concept of girl toys and boy toys altogether, allowing children to imagine themselves in a world where interests and activities aren’t limited by gender.
The Impact of Gendered Characters in Picture Books
Studies on gender representation in children’s picture books
have shown that male characters often appear in adventurous roles,
solving problems and exploring the world,
while female characters are more likely to play passive or domestic roles.
This can subtly imply to young readers that boys are natural leaders or explorers, while girls are nurturers or helpers. In addition, picture books that maintain this binary may inadvertently exclude children who don’t identify with traditional gender categories.
By presenting characters with diverse interests and expressions, picture books can dismantle these stereotypes. For example, a story featuring a girl who loves building rockets or a boy who enjoys baking cakes shows children that activities and identities aren’t restricted by gender. When children see characters embracing a range of interests, they’re more likely to feel empowered to do the same.
How Children Understand Gender in Stories
Children are perceptive and often pick up on subtle cues about gender from characters in picture books. Research shows that when children discuss these characters, they frequently rely on traditional markers like colors, clothing, and activities to determine if a character is supposed to be a boy or a girl. For instance, a character wearing pink might be assumed female, while one engaging in an outdoor adventure might be seen as male.
When authors and illustrators choose not to assign gender, or to depict characters who defy traditional roles, they invite children to think beyond these assumptions. Books with non-human characters, like animals or fantastical beings, also provide valuable opportunities for children to challenge their own ideas of gender. By seeing a lion who loves to dance or a penguin who sews, children may begin to realize that interests, talents, and identities are limitless.
Creating Inclusive Conversations Through Picture Books
For educators and parents, picture books provide a wonderful opportunity to start conversations with children about gender inclusivity. Reading stories that challenge traditional gender roles can help children see that everyone has the freedom to be themselves. Simple questions like, “Why do you think this character likes to do that?” or “Do you think boys and girls can both enjoy this activity?” can encourage children to think critically about what they see in books and help them break down stereotypes.
By using diverse picture books, educators can foster classrooms where Janine’s belief that “there’s no such thing as a girl toy or a boy toy” is celebrated and explored. When children read stories that portray a wide range of experiences, interests, and identities, they are more likely to grow up understanding that everyone has the freedom to explore their own unique path.
The Future of Picture Books and Gender Representation
Publishers and creators are working to include more varied and realistic portrayals of gender in children’s literature. The goal is to create stories that don’t just highlight a character’s identity as the main plot point but show characters who are multidimensional, with rich personalities and interests beyond gender norms.
The future of picture books lies in stories that allow children
to see both themselves and others without the constraints of a binary.
With each book that breaks down these traditional molds, children gain another glimpse of a world where “there’s no such thing as a girl toy or a boy toy” - just toys to discover, passions to pursue, and people to befriend.
Final Thoughts: The Power of Storytelling
As educators, parents, and storytellers, it’s our responsibility to provide books that celebrate every child’s right to be themselves. By offering children stories that move beyond gender binaries, we foster a more inclusive generation - one that believes, like Janine, that everyone is free to choose their own path.
Picture books hold an incredible power: they can both reflect and shape
a child’s understanding of the world.
* Rudine Sims BIshop is an American author and a professor emerita at The Ohio State University. She has been referred to as the "mother of multicultural children's literature" for her sociologically groundbreaking American children's literature research.
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