Except When They Don't

by Laura Gehl, Joshua Heinsz (Illustrator)

Overview

"This book encourages kids to practice self-acceptance and embrace all kinds of play in a lighthearted and cheerful way." —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

This rhyming picture book encourages children to celebrate their individuality and lets them know that it's okay to play with whatever toys they want to!

Girls perform to fairy songs.
Boys play football all day long.

Boys yell, "Boo!" and run away.
Girls like kittens and ballet.

Except when they don't.

Children are often told by many different people about what toys they're supposed to play with, what interests they should have, and who they should be simply because of their gender. This stereotype-breaking book invites children to examine what they're told "boy" and "girl" activities are and encourages them to play with whatever they want to and to be exactly who they are! This book is published in partnership with GLAAD to accelerate LGBTQ inclusivity and acceptance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781499808049
Publisher:	little bee books
Publication date:	05/21/2019
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Laura Gehl is the author of One Big Pair of Underwear, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld, and the Peep and Egg series, illustrated by Joyce Wan. Laura lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with her husband and four children. Find out more about her at lauragehl.com.

Joshua Heinsz is the illustrator of A Paintbrush for Paco. He has a love for bright and whimsical imagery with a flair for the fantastical and an air of nostalgia. When not drawing or painting, Joshua can be found working as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. He currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. See more of his work at joshuaheinsz.com.

Editorial Reviews

04/01/2019

There’s no one way to be a person, Gehl and Heinsz suggest in this story about eschewing gender stereotypes. In bubbly art, children are seen first engaging in traditionally gendered activities: “Girls like pom-poms,/ pink, and jewels./ Boys like fighting/ pirate duels.” “Except,” reads the text, “when they don’t.” A boy in a superhero costume is surrounded by the pink-hued trappings of a tea party; elsewhere, a girl with puffy pink pigtails runs with a football. The pronoun “you” is used to convey that readers need not conform at all (“You might play with swords and knights./ Maybe twirl in flowered tights.”). Gehl’s text and Heinsz’s artwork express the joy of individuality and personal choice: “be exactly who you are.” Ages 4–8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

06/21/2019

PreS-Gr 2-Gehl narrates methods of play that are typically associated with a gender, such as girls dressing up like princesses and boys building spaceships out of blocks. She addresses these notions of preconceived gender roles with the simple but powerful phrase, "Except when they don't." The activities are illustrated with images of merry children while they amuse themselves with various toys and costumes. The pictures in this book include a variety of children whom all appear abundantly gleeful. This book is packed with color and patterns that seem to swirl and blast from the page. The abundance of color and movement adds elements of excitement and fantasy to scenes. This book has a rhyming style which adds a lively flow to the narrative. The text appears to hover over the images it is describing and pairs well with this book's often busy and bustling artwork. VERDICT This book encourages kids to practice self-acceptance and embrace all kinds of play in a lighthearted and cheerful way. -Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC

School Library Journal