Children's Books that Break Down Gender Stereotypes

What are gender stereotypes?

To understand and break down gender stereotypes, we must first understand the meaning of this concept. We can define gender stereotypes as a belief system shared by culture and society.

This belief system attributes certain roles and typical behaviors to women, and others to men. In other words, they define certain roles and behaviors as “feminine” and others as “masculine.”

Currently, we know that these preconceived ideas are simplistic and erroneous. Just the same, they continue to reproduce and pass down from one generation to the next through the socialization process. When little ones socialize, they take in these thoughts during their first years of life.

But, as gender stereotypes are constructed and learned, rather than innate, we can modify them through the education we give younger generations. We should prevent children from getting trapped by these stereotypes. Otherwise, they may assume certain character traits, emotions, physical characteristics, behaviors, interests, cognitive abilities, etc, simply because that’s what’s expected of their gender.

Children’s books that dismantle gender stereotypes

For years, classic children’s stories have perpetuated gender stereotypes, giving off completely sexist messages. Many of these stories portray men as brave, adventurous, and heroes. At the same time, they depict women as passive characters, waiting for some man to save them from an evil godmother or other sorts of danger.

Fortunately, in this day and age, there are many children’s stories that help children dismantle gender stereotypes. These stories help boys and girls grow up with gender equality. Below, we’ll recommend a few of our favorites:

Do Princesses Wear Mountain Boots? By Carmela LaVigna Coyle

This is the story of a very curious and energetic girl who isn’t sure if she’s an authentic princess. This doubt causes her to ask her mother a number of questions, and her mother responds in a very ingenious way. Do Princesses Wear Mountain Boots? encourages self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Candy Pink, by Adela Turin

The main character in this story is Margarita, an elephant that lives in a society in which males and females receive different upbringings. What’s more, Margarita is the only elephant in her group that doesn’t have pink skin which, at first, concerns her very much.

However, her parents stop making a big deal of this aspect. Finally, she feels free, which paves the way to equality for the rest of her mates.

Revolting Rhymes, by Roald Dahl

This book from one of our favorite authors includes a variety of classic children’s stories. But here, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, take a new turn. Rather than tell the stories the way they’ve been told for generations, Roald Dahl reinvents them. This fantastic book sends much more modern and appropriate messages to today’s young readers.