susanhermanross
New Member
As a children's author, I get very frustrated when adults look at my books and say, "That's a girls' book. My son/grandson likes trucks, hockey, etc." It's like saying boys don't have a right to like the colour "pink". (One grandparent actually told me her son wouldn't allow her to buy books with the colour pink prominently in them.)
Two of my books feature a sheep named Violet. Although Violet is, obviously, female, she has very gender neutral adventures. I marvel when people say the books are for girls without even reading the story.
I do not believe that young children's reading experiences should be limited to gender specific books. Children should be exposed to all types of stories to expand their vocabulary, interests and experiences.
When I was first thinking of self-publishing I talked to someone who had worked with a publisher. He had written a hockey book for children with the main character as a girl. They made him change the character to a boy, which of course, ruined the entire point of the book. He was not a happy camper. It is narrow thinking such as this that makes children think that they have limited choices in the world. Girls can play with building blocks. Boys can play house. Women can be architects. Men can be stay-at-home dads. Gender no longer determines who we are and what we can be. It shouldn't determine what we can or can't read.
Any thoughts on the subject? Do you find people buy "boy" books and "girl" books or books that look fun and entertaining for any gender?
Two of my books feature a sheep named Violet. Although Violet is, obviously, female, she has very gender neutral adventures. I marvel when people say the books are for girls without even reading the story.
I do not believe that young children's reading experiences should be limited to gender specific books. Children should be exposed to all types of stories to expand their vocabulary, interests and experiences.
When I was first thinking of self-publishing I talked to someone who had worked with a publisher. He had written a hockey book for children with the main character as a girl. They made him change the character to a boy, which of course, ruined the entire point of the book. He was not a happy camper. It is narrow thinking such as this that makes children think that they have limited choices in the world. Girls can play with building blocks. Boys can play house. Women can be architects. Men can be stay-at-home dads. Gender no longer determines who we are and what we can be. It shouldn't determine what we can or can't read.
Any thoughts on the subject? Do you find people buy "boy" books and "girl" books or books that look fun and entertaining for any gender?