Don't fall for the trick by Jennifer Bain. Illus. by Scott Stuart
The blurb of this book says "Every day we come across many tricks that keep the world from being a truly equal place. This book helps kids and their grown-ups to learn the tricks that are holding us all back so that together we can smash gender stereotypes and create positive change".
This is Jennifer Bain's first book, born out of her dream of creating stories to help children to feel comfortable navigating the world. Equality and respect are important topics for young people, and this book helps children to identify, call attention to, and reject unconscious sexism and biases in everyday life.
'The Trick' is capitalised, and is explained as being something you might hear but that you know isn't true. Statements such as "Girls can't climb trees" or "boys don't cry" or even a teacher asking for "big, strong boys" to help move furniture are all examples of The Trick.
This is because we know for certain that girls CAN climb trees, that boys DO cry, and that girls are just as capable to help move furniture!
The book explains the patriarchy in very simple terms and goes on to encourage readers to look out for The Trick and to point it out to others. Only through noticing The Trick and calling attention to it, will the world become a more equal place. We see Gran fixing toys, Pa baking biscuits, princesses saving the day, boys playing tea parties, and many more fabulous examples of equality, and respectful relationships.
The cartoony illustrations by Scott Stuart are excellent, really expanding on the equality theme. The children depicted have a wide range of appearances and abilities, including one with a cochlear implant, one with glasses, a variety of skin colours, a wheelchair user, a child with vitiligo, and another with a prosthetic limb. All are equally involved in playing and learning together.
A note for families and teachers at the end of the book explains that "unpacking these themes and making positive change will involve more than one conversation". This book is a great place to start!
Themes: Sexism, Equality, Respect.
Kylie Grant