20 Children's Books That Redefine Gender

Roles
A collection that defies normal, challenges stereotypes, and encourages
individuality.
Tags: Books, Children, Gender Roles, Stereotypes, Individuality, Diversity

The Paper Bag Princess of one children's book of many that teaches a valuable lesson about
gender roles
Sometimes the best way to teach a child about individuality, nonconformity, and diversity is with
the rhythmic text, imaginative storylines, and captivating illustrations of a good book. Children
and parents alike can step into a world where boys wear dresses, princesses play sports, and selfacceptance reigns. Here are 20 books that challenge preconceived notions of what it means to be
a boy or girl, a mom or dad, or even a pirate!

1. MADE BY RAFFI
BY: Craig Pomranz
Unlike the other boys at school, Raffi doesnt enjoy noisy, rough-and-tumble games. Instead, he
prefers to knit - though the other children think its girly and tease him for it. But when theres
no costume for the prince in the school pageant, its Raffi and his knitting skills that save the
day.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Follow the beat of your own drum, despite what others may
think.

2. WHEN THE BEES FLY HOME

BY: Andrea Cheng
Jonathan is frustrated that he isnt strong enough to help his father with his beekeeping duties,
but he finds other ways to help his family when a drought hits and they struggle to make ends
meet. He uses his artistic talents to sculpt beautiful beeswax candles, which are a hit at the
market.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Though boys may feel misunderstood if they dont fit the
norm, artistic and sensitive boys hold their own special place.

3. THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS

BY: Robert Munsch
Princess Elizabeth is about to marry Prince Roland when a dragon kidnaps the prince and
destroys her castle, burning all of her clothes. With nothing to wear but a paper bag, Elizabeth
valiantly saves her prince - who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance. But
Elizabeth doesnt care that she doesnt fit the perfect picture of a princess.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: True princesses are true to themselves.

4. WILLIAMS DOLL

BY: Charlotte Zolotow

When William asks for a doll, everyone tries to talk him out of it. His brother calls him a sissy,
and his father buys him boy toys to try to change his mind. The only person who understands
him is his granny, who buys him a baby doll to care for.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Playing with dolls teaches kids to become nurturing and
caring - just as important for boys as girls!

5. YOU FORGOT YOUR SKIRT, AMELIA BLOOMER

BY: Shana Corey
This is the story of Amelia Bloomer, a rebellious reformer and early women's rights activist.
Amelia thinks proper women of the time are silly they cant work, vote, and have to wear
such restricting clothing. So she invents the bloomers - baggy pantaloons worn with a short skirt
over them.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Just because society says its right, doesnt mean it is.

6. BALLERINO NATE
BY: Kimberly B. Bradley
Nate loves everything about ballet the music, the fluttery costumes, the movements so he
decides he wants to learn ballet, too. But Nate is confused when his big brother tells him boys
cant be ballerinas and he sees hes the only boy in his ballet class. So his mother takes him to a
real ballet to meet a male dancer.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Following your dreams requires persistence, self-acceptance,
and ambition.

7. 10,000 DRESSES
BY: Marcus Ewert
Bailey loves dresses of all kinds, but Baileys parents tell him he shouldnt even be thinking of
dresses because hes a boy. Then Bailey meets Laurel, an older girl who is inspired by his
imagination and courage. The two becomes friends and begin making dresses together.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Become the person you feel you are inside.

8. ALLIES BASKETBALL DREAM

BY: Barbara E. Barber
Allie is very excited when her father gives her a basketball for her birthday. She practices

everyday in hopes of becoming a professional basketball player. But all of her friends discourage
her, calling basketball a boys game. Encouraged by her father, Allie doesnt give up and
eventually proves her worth.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: You can be anything you want to be - no matter what other
people say.

10. A FIRE ENGINE FOR RUTHI

BY: Lesla Newman
Though Ruthies grandmother has prepared a tea party, dolls and dress-up for her
granddaughters visit, Ruthie isnt interested in any of those things. Instead, shed rather play
with trains and fire engines. When Nana notices Ruthies preferences, she joins in the fun
herself.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Accept and celebrate the things that make you - and others unique.

11. FREE TO BEYOU AND ME

BY: Marlo Thomas
A collection of original stories, songs, and poems accompanied by whimsical drawings and
stunning illustrations. Each story celebrates individuality, encourages diversity, and challenges
stereotypes in a joyful, positive way. One story, for example, retells the Greek legend of Atalanta
about babies who use gender stereotypes to try to discover which is a boy and which a girl.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Think outside of gender roles.

12. PRINCESSES CAN BE PIRATES TOO!

BY: Christi Zellerhoff
A princess can do anything a pirate can do from captaining a ship, to taking charge of the crew,
to fending off foes. Just because a girl is wearing a gold crown and a pink fluffy dress, doesnt
mean she cant be a pirate as well as any boy.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Girls neednt be confined to being either princesses or
pirates. They can be both!

13. SHOPPING WITH DAD

BY: Matt Harvey
Mom is working, so its Dads turn to take his little girl to the supermarket. But disaster ensues
when a giant sneeze sets in motion a calamity and Dad gets the blame.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Mom and Dad can switch up their typical roles.

14. TOUGH BORIS

BY: Padmaja Ganeshan-Singh

When a young boy sneaks onto a pirate ship, his preconceived idea about pirates melts away as
he becomes part of the crew. The pirates are not mean, cruel or tough like he once thought rather theyre sensitive and kind.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: People are not always what they appear.

15. ALL I WANT TO BE IS ME

BY: Phyllis Rothblatt
A celebration of all children being who they are, this books shows children with different
preferences of how they identify themselves, what activities they like, and how they dress. This
book gives voice to the feelings of children who don't fit into narrow gender stereotypes, and
who just want to be themselves.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: There is more than one way to express your gender.

16. LITTLE KUNOICHI, THE NINJA GIRL

BY: Sanae Ishida
Little Kunoichi is a young ninja in training who is having trouble mastering her ninja skills. One
day she meets a samurai who shows her that perseverance, hard work and cooperation can
unleash her powers.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Being a girl doesnt stop you from being a ninja!

17. MORRIS MICKLEWHITE AND THE TANGERINE DRESS

BY: Christine Baldacchino
Morris loves to wear the tangerine dress in his classrooms dress-up bin. But the children in
Morris class dont allow astronauts wearing dresses in their make-believe space ship. When
Morris paints a scene of fantastic space adventure and brings it to school, his classmates are
entranced.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Nonconformity and individuality are what makes you
special.

18. ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER

BY: Andrea Beaty
Rosie wants nothing more than to become an engineer, even if her uncle laughs at the idea. So
when her great-great-aunt, Rose, tells her shes always wanted to fly, Rosie gets to work to make
her aunts dream come true. Though her contraption crashes, her aunt explains why Rosies
invention is not actually a failure.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: You can be anything you want to be.

19. NOT ALL PRINCESSES DRESS IN PINK

BY: Jane Yolen
You dont need to take off your tiara to jump in mud puddles, climb trees, play sports and make
messes. From farming and ball-playing, to fighting evil sorcerers and skipping in the mud, these
girls all have something in common - they wear a sparkly crown.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Its not the tiaras or pink gowns that make a princess princesses come in all shapes and sizes.

20. MAX, THE STUBBORN LITTLE WOLF

BY: Marie-Odile Judes
Everyone knows that wolves are hunters, but Max thinks hunting is mean and horrible and
prefers to be a florist. But this is something Papa Wolf cannot accept and so he tries to make his
son a hunter - with little success.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Fulfill your ambitions even in the face of parental pressure.