Is being a mother about gender or about role?
Book Summary
Description
This illustrated children's story questions gender in the role of parenthood. In this story, we meet Sage who happily lives alone with his dad. This is questioned by his friend, but Sage realises that his dad does all the things his friend’s mum does. The story shares what it means to live with a single parent who can fulfil both the roles.
RRP
6.99 GBP
8.25 EUR
9.75 USD
Format
Paperback ISBN 9781909320703
21.6 x 0.2 x 21.6 cm
38 pages
Full colour illustrations throughout
Published Dec 2017
Audience
Aimed at 4-6 year olds
Reception to Year 1 in the UK
Preschool to Kindergarten in the US
The Blurb
Sage happily lives with just his dad, Basil. Then he falls out with his best friend, because Ted thinks not having a mum is silly. Why would Ted think that and can they ever be friends again?
Book Objectives
Part of the Rainbow Street Series promoting gender awareness, Basil and Sage is a story that questions whether a man can provide the role of mother, and vice-versa. In modern single-parent families, many children will compare themselves to so-called traditional families where both mother and father are present. The idea that the father goes to work and the mother stays at home to look after the children is outdated, and this book aims to put that stereotype right through a gentle story aimed at very young children.
The Rainbow Street books are all aimed at 4- to 6-year-old children, using colourful pictures of animals to tell stories of gender identity. They all share the common theme of acceptance and could equally be used at home and in school to discuss all forms of difference and diversity.
By sharing the Rainbow Street Series of books with young children, the aim is to make gender diversity no big deal and no different to accepting and respecting ethnic diversity, religious diversity and forms of neurodiversity. Stories in the series cover topics ranging from gender identity and adoption by same-sex parents, through to single fatherhood and it being ok to live alone in old age.
Book Background
Rolfe has taught across England from Foundation Stage up to Year 7 (Sixth Grade in US). As a SENCo, she has worked with challenging children with behaviour and learning difficulties. She has worked in a variety of primary schools, including a Sikh faith school and a Pupil reintegration unit. The author has two daughters, one who is transgender. Rolfe’s very brave and beautiful teenage transgender daughter has been living as her true self for over a year now. As a mother, Rolfe found it a struggle to explain the concept of transgender to her 5-year-old daughter so created Rainbow Street. Rainbow Street is a series of picture books with LGBTQ characters aimed at Foundation Stage and Year 1 (Kindergarten in US). Rolfe drew upon her 21 years primary teaching experience to write and illustrate the books.
Book Resources
Currently under development
Book Availability
Most bookshops throughout the English-speaking world and of course Amazon. Contact us for a discount if you are an educational or support organisation wishing to purchase in bulk for resale or otherwise.
Paul Johnson
