Kids_Book

Looking for children's books that don't pass on stereotypes
and sexist, racist, homophobia, religious & class 
attitudes - prejudice and discrimination?

Here is a list of recommended books, mainly classics,

listed in Bob Dixon's book 'Catching them Young'

The books he examines and criticises are the subject of his study see appropriate chapters.

With thanks to the many feminists who have contributed  the information below

From Alice:

The 'Series of Unfortunate Events' series by Lemony Snicket challenges sexist stereotypes. One
of the female protagonists is an inventor and her brother is an avid reader. The books challenge sterotypes in other
ways as well.

From Joy:-

I'd definitely recommend Malorie Blackman. I believe she couldn't find non-sexist books so
ended up writing them herself!
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/malorie-blackman/

My friend Mel has been recommending Malorie Blackman's
"Girl Wonder and the Terrific Twins" for years. I finally ordered it from the library recently and
thoroughly enjoyed it (the librarians were surprised, though, as it is a Read Aloud book!)
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/malorie-blackman/girl-wonder-and-terrific-twins.htm

I've also read another of Blackman's novels, "Noughts and Crosses," which is for teenagers
and is very informative as well as being a good read.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/malorie-blackman/noughts-and-crosses.htm
It has been made into a play, too, and was showing recently.

http://www.rsc.org.uk/WhatsOn/5989.aspx
Another book for young teens is the short story book by Francesca Lia Block, "Girl Goddess #9."
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/francesca-lia-block/girl-goddess-9.htm

From Pam:-

You can do no better than go to Letterbox Library. They are a women's co-op which for about 25 years
has been specialising in anti-sexist, anti-racist children's bookselling. All their books are read right through
by reviewers and tested on real children.

They do mail order or you can visit their office in Allen Road, Stoke Newington (not high street style...)

They can also do sample sets for schools, sale or return, if you want to get their books into schools you use.

They lost a lot of trade to the cut-price high street shops and to discount web sales - they can't compete
with Amazon on price - but they offer a unique service.

I don't know if they still do it but if you visit the Letterbox office they used to have a Sale box of books
that are ex-samples so go cheap.

And I should have said, they range from baby books to young adults, fiction and non-fiction. Their Older
Readers selection in particular is very strong, I used to read them all myself.

http://www.letterboxlibrary.com/acatalog/index.html