Board books with female characters to tackle gender bias

20 Feb 2019

I once had a customer walk into the shop with a very reasonable request: board books featuring human girls or women – no female animals, please, she had plenty of those – for a family with a baby girl. This customer wanted that girl to start her life surrounded by stories about all different kinds of women – to inspire her, to spark her imagination and to normalise the idea early on that women should be visible and represented equally in all things.

A recent study by the ABC found that the bestselling children’s books in Australia are male dominated and still feature more male characters. That kind of inequality can feel immaterial, but whatever gender a child is, gender bias can start shaping their expectations of the world from an early age. That’s not to say people shouldn’t be buying books about boys, or men, or non-gender-specific and very hungry caterpillars – the more variety there is the better! But if you’re doing an audit of your baby or toddler’s bookshelf and you’re looking to add some more stories of courageous, curious and confident girls, then here are some to consider.

Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett

Who can’t empathise with Matilda as she tries activity after activity to ensnare the affections of her increasingly horrified cat: playing with wool, climbing trees, dressing up, reading books (about dogs). This delightful book about a tenacious and optimistic little girl’s love for her cat has an ultimately snuggly and sweet ending. It features deceptively simple text that makes it a quick read when needed, and funny details in the pictures – the cat’s evolving expressions are a particular highlight – that will keep kids grabbing for it over and over.

Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne

Handa decides to take seven delicious fruits in a basket to her friend Akeyo in a neighbouring village. But her walk takes her past several animals and the fruit look very inviting. A great read-aloud for the family, this book has several elements that will engage the attention of young kids: the rhythmic repeated story beats, vibrant and colourful illustrations, and a variety of fruit and cute animals to identify.

Rapunzel by Chloe Perkins, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan

This stunningly illustrated board book is part of the Once Upon a World series, which takes classic fairy tales and gives them a multicultural take. The writing retains the same beats as the original fairy tales, albeit simplified to make for a quick read, but it’s the pictures that really shine. Bright, colourful and brimming with subtle details – whether it’s the architectural style of the buildings or the adornments to the clothing – they’ll mesmerise the little ones, and open up preconceptions about what fairy tale characters can look like.

The Way I Love You by David Bedford & Ann James

A triumph of simplicity, this book about a bright-eyed little girl and all the ways she loves her equally spirited dog makes for a sweet ode to the relationship between child and pet. Told over one rambunctious day and ending with a bedtime snuggle, the love described here is universal (it’s equally relevant to friendships for example), and echoed beautifully in James’ irrepressible line and pastel drawings. It’s also a lovely example of how to identify and verbalise emotions and express appreciation for the ways someone or something enriches your life.

I Love Me by Sally Morgan & Ambelin Kwaymullina

If I have one gripe with board books, it’s that there aren’t as many Australian ones compared to those from the US and UK. Local board books when they’re released should be celebrated, and this affirming read from mother-daughter duo Sally Morgan and Ambelin Kwaymullina is a great example. The authors have left gender a bit ambiguous here – the two main characters aren’t named and can be read as sister and brother, two brothers or two sisters. However it’s read, this book is filled with bouncy, rhythmic text and bold, riotous colour that is eye-catching and attention-grabbing. It’s a celebration of joyous self-esteem – ‘I love the way my curly hair grows’ – that all parents will want to impart to their child.

This Is Sadie by Sara O’Leary & Julie Morstad

Sadie has been a girl who lived under the sea and a boy raised by wolves. She likes to make boats out of boxes and castles out of cushions, but more than anything Sadie likes stories, because you can make them from nothing at all. A beautiful dreamlike testament to the power of a child’s imagination, This Is Sadie is a magical addition to any toddler’s library, but particularly quiet kids or only children. O’Leary’s poetically rich writing is pitched at a slightly older audience than some of the other books on this list, and there are some stunning double-page illustrations throughout. My favourite shows Sadie about to dive into a book-shaped pool where several recognisable characters from children’s classics are swimming, while the text sings: ‘some of her friends live on her street, and some live in the pages of books’.

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

This one’s a bit of a cheat since you could argue that witches aren’t exactly real-world human women, but who can resist the winning pairing of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (of The Gruffalo fame). Room on the Broom features a kind witch, her purring cat and a group of helpful animals who hitch a ride with the pair. Soon, a little company has amassed (to the great displeasure of the cat), but can the broom hold them all? Featuring Donaldson’s wonderfully clever rhymes and Scheffler’s expressive illustrations, this book celebrates generosity and quick thinking. It’s a classic in the making.

Friday: My First Frida Kahlo by Isabel Sanchez Vegara, illustrated by Gee Fan Eng

The hugely-popular Little People Big Dreams series celebrates the achievements and important life stories of notable women in history. Some are also available in board-book format (including Amelia Earheart, Frida Kahlo and Marie Curie) and they make a great gift option for new families. While younger children may not grasp every single detail in these inspiring biographies, the books expose them early on to all the exciting fields in which women can excel, and the quirky illustrations will capture their attention.

ABC What Can She Be? by Sugar Snap Studio, illustrated by Jessie Ford

This colourful board book goes through an alphabet of different things girls can be when they grow up. The occupations are as diverse as the different women pictured: from pilots to chefs to mechanics to neurosurgeons. A fun way to celebrate diversity, teach the alphabet, help young readers identify the women in their own lives, and to leave kids with the positive message that girls can achieve so many things.