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Except When They Don’t by Laura Gehl, Joshua Heinsz

Children often look up to parents as teachers and guides. They follow their parents’ rules and encouragements (for the most part) and rely on them for support. When we’re children, our parents are the ones to sign us up for sports and lay our clothes out on the bed. But, what if we don’t want to kick a dirty soccer ball or wear that pink frilly dress?

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The children’s book Except When They Don’t (little bee books), written by Laura Gehl and Joshua Heinsz, explains that it’s okay for a boy or girl not to like things typically associated with their gender. Gehl and Heinsz created a unique book to help ease children away from the traditional thoughts and stereotypes that society expects of them.

In a fun-loving way, the author and illustrator present activities that boys and girls like to do in their free time through a third-person point of view. For instance, girls fancy baking cakes while boys prefer playing with toy trucks. These choices are well and good, but Gehl and Heinsz also emphasize that the opposite can be true. Boys shouldn’t be discouraged if they enjoy baking cakes more than playing with trucks. Girls can put down their whisks and pick up dump trucks if they feel so inclined.

Girls can enjoy “girly” things and boys can like “boyish” things, except when they don’t. This book is a great way to teach kids that they are free to express themselves and should never hide who they truly are. A lesson that not only children can learn from, but adults too.

I believe this book is an engaging step to changing the way our society perceives “normal” for both girls and boys. Children are easily impressionable and need illustrated examples of acceptance and inclusivity in order to actively promote it in others or to feel comfortable with their own differences. It’s important for them to know that their gender doesn’t have to restrict what kind of choices they make in life.

Parents want a world of opportunities for their children, and to foster confidence in their young ones to take a hold of every option they feel is best. Except When They Don’t is a colorful introduction to cultivating a more inclusive and comfortable lifestyle for the next generation.

Except When They Don’t is now available for purchase.

 

Buy this Book!

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Except When They Don’t by Laura Gehl, Joshua Heinsz
Genre: Children’s Books
Author: Laura Gehl, Joshua Heinsz
Publisher: little bee books
ISBN: 9781499808050
Emilie Hocter

Emilie Hocter grew up in a small quiet town in Connecticut. She is a rising senior at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She is majoring in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. She is a social media intern for Meryl Moss Media Relations, where she helps to promote various authors.

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