Book Review
A short overview of this book
Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman is a fantastic book for talking to kids about gender stereotypes and how we expect boys and girls to behave in a certain way eg boys can’t wear pink and girls can’t play with trucks.
Now this book does receive mixed reviews. Mainly due to the fact that it includes gender stereotypes ie the belief that boys can’t like girlie things. With some believing that by talking gender stereotypes, that we will make our kids feel ‘abnormal’ or they’ll start to believe these things.
I do think this is a good book though, and that it could be helpful for starting important conversations.
You can talk about diversity ie everyone is different and you can express yourself in your own way.
It would be a great book to read with a child who has very strong beliefs about gender and is struggling with a younger sibling who is not constrained. I love the fact that it broaches the fears we have and the fact that kids often are teased for not following gender norms. A great way to increase your child’s resilience is to talk about the challenges we face.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for children aged 5 to 8 years.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman from Amazon.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue with Cath Hak. I’m all about reviewing awesome books and helping parents have better conversations with their kids about sex. Sorry about the background noise, my dog just can’t handle the sound of kids playing soccer. I might have to lock her outside, haha!
So, today I want to talk about a fantastic book called Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Maria Mola. It was published in 2017 and I absolutely love it.
You know, there are so many books out there that touch on gender roles and transgender topics, but this one takes a different approach. It focuses on the fact that as kids grow up and try to figure out who they are and where they fit in, they might go through a phase where they believe certain things are only for boys or only for girls. It’s totally normal for kids to question these things, but as parents, it can be challenging for us to navigate.
I mean, who says boys can’t wear pink? It’s just a silly rule that society has imposed on us. We’re living in an era where we should be breaking free from these gender norms and roles. Of course, every family does things differently, but it’s important for kids to understand that they don’t have to conform to these restrictions. We want them to grow up accepting and embracing diversity, so they can be kinder and make the world a better place. And if they happen to be different themselves, they’ll be more accepting and understanding too.
Now, let’s dive into the book. It starts off with two characters, Jessie and Casey. Jessie has a sparkly dress and her little brother wants to wear one too. At first, Jessie says he can’t because boys don’t wear sparkly skirts. But then their mom steps in and says, Why not? If he wants to wear it, he can. And guess what? He puts it on and enjoys it!
Throughout the story, there are more instances where Casey wants to do things that are traditionally seen as girly, like getting his nails done or wearing a sparkly bracelet. Jessie, his big sister, initially feels uncomfortable with it, but eventually learns to accept and support him.
I really appreciate how this book subtly addresses some of the fears and concerns parents might have. Like, what if other kids make fun of Casey? Or what if people think he’s gay? These are real worries, but the book reminds us that it’s about kids expressing themselves and being true to who they are. It’s not about labeling them or predicting their future.
I think it’s awesome that books like Sparkle Boy exist because they open up conversations about gender and diversity. These are conversations that many parents struggle with, especially because they didn’t have books like this when they were kids. But don’t worry, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re all learning and growing together.
So, if you’re looking for a great book that will make your kids think about gender roles and norms, I highly recommend Sparkle Boy. I found it at my local library and it’s been a wonderful addition to our collection.
I hope you found this review helpful! Remember, it’s all about embracing diversity and letting our kids be their authentic selves. Cheers!
