Read on Twitter
Thread: So, I've been spending a lot of time in bookshops signing #KnightsAndBikes, and I've noticed something that reeeeaaally bothers me. Lots of adults are stopping boys from reading books with female protagonists!
I've heard boys ask for a copy of K&B, to be told 'That's for girls' It’s not just my book, I’ve heard that The Worst Witch and @JamesNichols Apprentice Witch are girls books. Why are parents who are happy for girls to read Harry Potter scared of their sons reading about witches?
I’ve witnessed publishers making covers far too dark and creepy in relation to the content in order to trick boys into reading them, and girls tell me they enjoyed those books but nearly didn’t read them because they thought they were spooky books.
Why are we so protective of boys' masculinity? It isn’t nearly as fragile as some adults think. I’ve seen boys with dolls or happily wearing bright pink trainers and it’s adults who react negatively rather than other kids.
I’ve had young lads tell me how much they love @cathycassidyxx and @redbreastedbird, yet other boys are being robbed of the same opportunity to find books they love. It’s sad to see, and I can only hope that these boys are not put off reading by adults making decisions for them.
Reading about kick ass girls having awesome adventures, solving mysteries, and saving the world teaches boys to see girls in a different light to the ones they see screaming at rubber spiders in toy adverts. Let boys read the stories they want to read. Books are for everyone!
*end rant*
