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Not great women, not great men, great people?

I recently had friends over for dinner and started discussing these books. It is absolutely the most wonderful series of books, and I love reading them to my little boy (and recommend them to all). However, there are no books in the series which feature great men too. My friend was very adamant that this is simply “all history books” which is something I absolutely understand (and agree with). But my point to her, was that if we don’t start focusing on *people* who achieved greatness, as opposed to men, or women, aren’t we perpetuating gender stereotypes? Would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this one
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I love this series of books as well. I hope they come out with a second series, with more influential people. The original purpose for the books, i believe, is to showcase the strengths, talents and movements these women have had. Breaking the stereotype of ‘women in the kitchen’.

I too love seeing all the strong female books out there, but i too had this twinge when i saw them being marketed to just girls. I want my little boy to also read about these awesome women but also awesome People! Thanks for your post, glad we have a generation of mindful people wanting to be inclusive from all points!

I am not familiar with these books but I am interested in getting my hands on one now. I am on the opposite end where I have a hard time finding books on great women. I always run into books about great men or based on a man in power.

Is there any reason that the books about men need to be in the same series? Just get some books to supplement that are about men. I don’t think the kids notice what series a book is from until much later. You can adjust concentration to your liking.

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Also, the purpose of having the focus in the first place is that there are real gaps. It’s nice to say everyone is equal and should be treated as such, but it’s also nice to be aware of the work you have to do to get there since it’s not the real life case just now.

It kind of comes down to who is being focused on more in the past? Overwhelmingly - books for kids have been about great things men do and females are secondary characters or are in pictures but no lines. There's this weird "boy books" and "girl books" going on, when we're all just people. Little boys should read more about women and their accomplishments.

totally agree with you! we need to focus less on identity specifics and more about what people are actually doing

What you’re saying is what I’m preaching all the time. I can’t stand it, honestly when women get put on a pedestal just because we are women. Like guys, that’s just not how equality works. What cool books though! 😍 I’ve been wanting them, myself!

I don’t understand what you mean when you say “all of history is like that and I agree” when you talked about there not being men who did great things in history.

I totally see your point, but I thought I have seen Muhammad Ali, David Bowie, Gandhi and Stephen Hawking as part of the series as well. These are just a handful of males, and perhaps there are others that I have not come across yet? I am very much on board with focusing on great people and not just a specific gender or nationality or whatever other distinction.

I Iove these books since they direct much needed attention to powerful women in history. The perspective of women is often skimmed over or ignored in our society. Saying we should instead “focus on great people” is ignoring the reality of white male privilege and staggering inequality that has existing for thousands of years. And I agree that both little boys and girls should be educated on these subjects so that they can work together towards equality and justice for all.

My issue is the lack of black male representation. They make a point to showcase black strong females in STEM but we need to showcase black males in STEM and not just sports and entertainment.

They actually have one about Stephen Hawking. We were gifted it

I’m sure I’ve seen some from this series with men

Ummmm there are definitely men in this series. I started reading these to my son and ppl gifted more with men. I don’t think it’s perpetuating gender stereotypes-maybe I’m confused. Let me go read the comments.

I do have these books and we have men ones I.e MLK, Muhammad Ali, Ayrton Senna

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