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    The Children's Book Review

    18 Powerful Books and Tips to Smash Gender Stereotypes 

    Lizzie Mussoline, M. Ed.By Lizzie Mussoline, M. Ed.5 Mins Read Best Kids Stories Quest for Literacy
    14 Powerful Books and Tips to Smash Gender Stereotypes
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    Growing Readers: Learning to Love Reading and Writing Column 37

    Gender stereotypes, on the surface, may seem like a trivial issue, but it’s not just a case of too much pink and blue. If we impose rigid ideas of masculinity and femininity on children, we limit their potential and actually cause real harm in later life.

    Eva Pemberton

    Eva Pemberton from the City of Birmingham School of Education and Social Work wrote an eye-opening article about the negative impacts of gender stereotyping on young children later in life. Despite society’s greater openness in this regard, there is still much work to be done to inspire our kids to be exactly who they want to be. 

    It’s difficult to say which gender stereotype can cause the most problems—for example, encouraging boys to hide their feelings and stay “tough” has had devastating effects throughout history. On the other hand, with girls, evidence shows that their self-esteem plummets when they hit puberty. Our children’s job is to feel their feelings and as their caregivers, parents need to help provide them with the tools to help them manage and work with these feelings. Dr. Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist, mother of three, and founder of Good Inside and a parenting podcast, does a great job teaching parents this critical message. 

    Book Art
    Illustration from Pink is For Boys words by Robb Pearlman and art by Eda Kaban

    The following book recommendations are wonderful discussion starters. The impact inspiring and powerful books have on young kids cannot be overstated. Let’s do what we can to lift every child up as much as possible so that they are better equipped to stay true to who they are and feel comfortable and confident in how they grow and change as people, too.

    The Kids’ Booklist that Smashes Gender Stereotypes

    Read About It

    Pink Is For Boys

    Pink is For Boys

    Written by Robb Pearlman and Illustrated by Eda Kaban

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Except When They Don't: Book Cover

    Except When They Don’t

    Written by Laura Gehl and Illustrated Joshua Heinsz

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Julian Is a Mermaid

    Julián is a Mermaid

    Written and Illustrated by Jessica Love

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Rainbow Boy: Book Cover

    Rainbow Boy

    Written by Taylor Rouanzion and Illustrated by Stacey Chomiak

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Barnes and Noble
    Bookshop.org
    Strong: Book Cover

    Strong

    Written by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood and Illustrated by Nidhi Chanani

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Barnes and Noble
    Bookshop.org
    John's Turn: Book Cover

    John’s Turn

    Written by Mac Barnett and Illustrated by Kate Berube

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Barnes and Noble
    Bookshop.org
    Oliver Button Is a Sissy Book Cover

    Oliver Button is a Sissy

    Written and Illustrated Tommie dePaola

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Dogs Don't Do Ballet

    Dogs Don’t Do Ballet

    Written by Anna Kemo and Illustrated by Sarah Ogilvie

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    My Princess Boy: Book Cover

    My Princess Boy

    Written by Cheryl Kilodavis and Illustrated by Suzanne DeSimone

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Tough Guys Have Feelings Too: Book Cover

    Tough Guys Have Feelings Too

    Written and Illustrated by Keith Negley

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Today I Feel . . .- An Alphabet of Feelings

    Today I Feel

    Written and Illustrated by Madalena Moniz

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Mae Among the Stars: Book Cover

    Mae Among The Stars

    Written by Roda Ahmed and Illustrated by Stasia Burrington

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    William's Doll: Book Cover

    William’s Doll

    Written by Charlotte Zolotow and Illustrated by William Pene du Bois

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Hair Twins: Book Cover

    Hair Twins

    Written by Raakhee Mirchandani and Holly Hatam 

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Not All Princesses Dress in Pink: Book Cover

    Not all Princesses Dress in Pink

    Written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different

    Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different: True Tales for Boys who Changed the World without Killing Dragons

    Written by Ben Brooks  

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Audible
    Barnes and Noble
    The BEst Man by Richard Peck

    The Best Man

    Written by Richard Peck 

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble
    This Is Your Brain On Stereotypes: Book Cover

    This is your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science is Tackling Unconscious Bias

    Written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi and Illustrated Drew Shannon

    Buy the Book
    Amazon
    Bookshop.org
    Barnes and Noble

    Extension Activities

    Chat About It

    Discuss gender stereotypes openly and freely with your kids. Simply put, stereotypes are things people believe to be true about a particular group that are SOMETIMES true, but are NOT always true. Keep having these conversations with your kids. Talk to them when you notice gender stereotypes in real life; learn and explore together. Doing this will help your kids become more aware of things or people who want your child to fit into a particular box and teach them to recognize and spend time with things and people who encourage them to be who they are.

    If you’re looking for non-fiction books that specifically discuss the topic of gender identity in a kid-friendly way, here’s our list of the best books about gender identity for kids.

    Create Art About it

    Once your kids have explored the idea of gender stereotypes a bit more, encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings through any form of art. Whatever feels best for your child to express themselves, whether it be a mural, collage, painting, doodle, poem, song, or comic, there is no right or wrong way to try this extension activity. Help them get inspired by browsing books to find something particularly and personally inspiring.

    Illustration-Inspiration-Eda-Kaban-Illustrator-of-Pink-is-for-Boys-2

    Thank you for reading the Growing Readers: Learning to Love Reading and Writing column. Bookmark this Growing Readers Column link or subscribe to our e-newsletter so you do not miss out on the monthly reading tips. 14 Powerful Books and Tips to Smash Gender Stereotypes was written by Lizzie Mussoline, M. Ed.—follow her on Instagram: @wildflower_learning_denver.

    What to Read Next:

    1. What Is Social Emotional Learning and Why Is It Important?
    2. 5 Great Horror Books for Teens and Why to Read Them
    3. 7 Highly Recommended Books That Will Spark Powerful Conversations
    4. Learning to Love Who You Are Through Reading and Writing

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Anna Kemo Ben Brooks Charlotte Zolotow Cheryl Kilodavis Drew Shannon Eda Kaban featured Gender Equality Books Gender Identity Growing Readers Column Heidi E. Y. Stemple Holly Hatam Jane Yolen Joshua Heinsz Keith Negley Laura Gehl Madalena Moniz Raakhee Mirchandani Richard Peck Robb Pearlman Roda Ahmed Sarah Ogilvie Stasia Burrington Suzanne DeSimone Tanya Lloyd Kyi Tommie dePaola William Pene du Bois
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    Lizzie Mussoline, M. Ed.
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    Lizzie loves literacy. And alliteration! With over a decade of classroom teaching experience, and years of one on one reading and dyslexia intervention, Lizzie understands the challenges and rewards of engaging with young readers. Her passion for helping children overcome learning difficulties to fall in love with reading led to the launch of Wildflower Learning; a private practice that serves the needs of young readers in Denver, CO. Follow @wildflower_learning_denver on Instagram for more literacy tips & tricks.

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