Author: Nielsen Ida Bjørn
Illustrator: Inge Iversen
Publisher: Forlaget Vistoft
Year: 2012
☺The student’s conclusion: Gender is presented in a diversified manner
The book is packed with funny rhymed stories in a modern language. It can be read or listened to on the accompanying CD. There are many beautiful colours, and both people and animals. The book is divided into various rhymes, there is no extended story. Examples of gendered codes in the book:
- The Dragon: The child giving the dragon fire is drawn as unisex, with a white nightshirt, half-long unruly red hair and is not afraid of the dragon. We can decide whether this is a boy or a girl
- Prut [Breaking wind]: Men and women are depicted with bare bottoms. Traditionally women are often skimpily dressed
- Rhymes: Boys break the pane to help their father’s business, an active action assigned to boys
- Stars: The girl who opens the door for the star states: “I would really enjoy playing with a star that loves children” (and not only girls)
- Trolls: The girl who is not afraid of the trolls is depicted with pigtails and a dress, but also with masculine body language
- Panties: The father gives the mother gifts and she is wearing a dress and doing laundry. The girl in a dress is playing with dolls. Typical masculine and feminine codes
- Tudesøren [Crying Søren]: Søren is a boy who is always crying – a feminine code? He is sent to a deserted island where he cannot bother anybody – would this have happened to a girl?
Generally there are traditional gendered codes, but also instances of greater diversification, and where one has to choose how to identify with the character.
Student of early childhood education at University College Sjælland
