A mother and daughter stood in front of a bookshelf looking at 500 children’s books. First they remove books with no male characters. Only three are removed.
Next, they remove all the books with no female characters. Now they take 76 off the shelf.
They take off another 141 books, representing books where female characters are drawn, but don’t have ‘speaking’ roles.
Finally, of the remaining books with speaking female characters, they nearly emptied the shelves. The remaining books represented books of female characters with vocational aspirations.
This video circulated Facebook a few years ago. It’s important for all of us to see ourselves in the stories told around us. Depictions of ourselves in stories can seem like an insignificant detail, especially in picture books where the characters are mostly animals and cartoons. Does it really matter what gender the cat, llama, or bear in the story is? I’m beginning to think so. When children don’t see themselves in books and movies they consume, they could subconsciously think they are on the outside the lines.
While I can’t personally control the number of books published with female characters, I can curate my children’s bookshelves, giving them a wider view of gender represented in story. Here are some of my favorites that have recently been added to our household.
She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton – The tagline says it all: 13 American Women Who Changed The World. Beautifully illustrated, this book highlights a diverse and accomplished group of women, including Sonia Sotomayor, Sally Ride, Virginia Agpar, Helen Keller, and others.
Alabama Spitfire by Bethany Hegedus – This picture book is about the true story of Harper Lee, the woman who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee grew up in Monroeville, Alabama. I really enjoy the bluntness this book speaks on the history of racism in the United States.
When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner – Vividly illustrated, this book dives visually into imagination, while reminding readers they are deeply loved and created with purpose.
In My Heart by Jo Witek – This simple, yet complex book is all about feelings. Each turn of the page brings another vivid visualization of an emotion. The book ends with this sweet question: How does your heart feel today?
Dear Girl by Amy Krouse Rosenthal – Sweet encouragement for any girl to be themselves. The author challenges readers to be brave, to cry, to think, to dance, to explore, and so much more. One of my favorite pages says, “Dear Girl, Find people like you. Find people unlike you.”
Remarkably You by Patrice Barton – This book celebrates what makes each one of us different. I love how it encourages children to explore what they love, whether that’s counting, drawing, or slaying dragons. I especially appreciate the diversity the illustrator created.
I wrote something recently about how I believe God sets our calling in us when we are little and full of wonder. Allowing dreams to grow during story time can be a special way for God to whisper wonder to children when they are little. As for my kids, I want them to be able to see themselves in the stories read to them.
Parents and future parents – we all can be thoughtful about the books we purchase to be a part of our home libraries. I invite you to take a look at the diversity of your bookshelves at home. What are some of your favorite children’s books?