Category: Parenting

At HFP, we stand with the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community, both in Portland and around the country. We share the grief and outrage at the racist and misogynistic murders in Atlanta, Georgia, and the recent and ongoing violence against Asian people in the United States. Violence, harassment, and xenophobia have no place in our communities. Let us speak and act against hate and teach our young ones to do the same.  (Adapted from Literary Arts’ statement of support).

Here’s one of my favorite Asian-affirming picture books to share with young ones. Mai’s read aloud version includes prompts and pauses that invite children to reflect on their own ideas and experiences. Mai includes a craft idea that relates to the book!

Portland Association of Teachers’ Statement on Anti-Asian Violence 

Check out these websites for resources and ways to support the AAPI community. 

Stop AAPI Hate 

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)

Netflix Jr. has a powerful, entertaining read aloud series called Bookmarks- Celebrating Black Voices. Available for free on YouTube. Check out Celebrating Black History Month to view actors reading some of the best children’s picture books available!  And tell a friend. This series is not to be missed. 

This week we shared a number of potent stories about children getting to choose what they wear even though they face serious social pressure NOT to wear their preferred garments.

These books provide a springboard from which to talk about self expression, gender norms, social pressure, teasing, and bullying. We can help open the door wider to allow freer, easier access for all people despite the oppressive forces at hand. We can remind children that girls and women’s value is much more than our appearances and that boys and men can choose to be fancy or pretty while still being fully male. 

We invited children to make their own paper dolls and dress each person however they like. We talked about the things each child likes to do, eat and wear. We noted these things about us–our favorite activities, foods, colors– remain the same despite what outfit we decide to don or what we look like on the exterior.

We noticed which characters in each story helped to back characters who dared to step outside of their prescribed lane.  And we talked a bit about using our voices to speak out against teasing. 

Recommended Children’s Picture Books Pushing Back Against Restrictive Gender Dress Norms:

• Annie’s Plaid Shirt by Stacy B. Davids and Rachael Balsaitis
• Dress Like A Girl by Patricia Toht and Lorian Tu-Dean
• I Love My Purse by Belle Demont and Sonja Wimmer
• Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldachhino and Isabela Melaenfant
• Pink Is For Boys by Robb Pearlman and Eda Kaban

Gender socialization is a strong cultural force. Our young ones are learning scripted gender norms from the world around them (families, friends, books, movies, grocery stores…) whether we want them to or not. Gender socialization and gender stereotypes dictate restricted ideas of what females can do and what males can do. Gender socialization tells us that only half the population gets access to certain ways of being, expression, clothing, roles, behavior, occupations, etc., while the other half of the population gets access to a distinct set. They’re hard on all humans, putting us into boxes with little room to fully be and express ourselves. 

If we want all children to have full access to their authentic self-expression, we need to confront gender stereotypes, expose our young ones to people who dare to step outside those norms and be in continual conversation with our children to help them think critically and act from expansiveness, kindness, and acceptance.

This week, we focus on two poignant books about children getting to choose what they wear even though they face serious social pressure NOT to wear their preferred garments.

In Annie’s Plaid Shirt, Annie has a favorite plaid shirt that she loves wearing, but when it’s time for her to attend a wedding, her mom expects her to wear a fancy, frilly dress. While some girls might be excited about donning a dress, Annie is definitely not. Annie’s brother has her back. Together they devise a plan for Annie to wear something she’s comfortable with while still honoring the societal expectations to dress up for a special occasion. 

In Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, Morris eagerly dresses up in tangerine dress at play time. His peers are quick to let him know their displeasure and discomfort, mirroring the rigid gender norms they’ve internalized. “Dresses are for girls.” Initially Morris’s classmates tease him and leave him out of their play. Luckily, Morris has solid support from his mom and some serious self-confidence. Ultimately, Morris’s playfulness and imagination win over his skeptical peers. Morris gets to wear the lovely dress he adores while having his friends at his side.

These two books provide a springboard from which to talk about self expression, gender norms, social pressure, teasing, and bullying. We can help open the door wider to allow freer, easier access for all people despite the oppressive forces at hand. 

Note: HFP does not own the rights to these stories. Please support the official books. If you opt to purchase copies, we encourage you to do so via an independent bookstore.

Further Reading Suggestion: How Children Address Gender Assumptions and Try On Identities