Tara Binns – giving little girls big ideas
If there’s one thing that makes me REALLY mad it’s the expectation that girls can’t do certain things.
We’re supposed to live in a post-bra-burning society where we can do anything right? But I read an interesting article at FT.com about the labyrinth women still face alongside the famed glass ceiling and let’s face it there are still precious few women in the important roles in society.
I do wonder how many teenage girls these days have aspirations of being Prime Minister or the CEO of a major corporation?
Of course there are trailblazers who inspire us everyday with their rise to the top but surely it’s got to start at the bottom, when our girls – and boys for that matter – are young, impressionable and full of expectation.
Surely that’s the time for us as parents to plant the seed that ANYTHING is possible. Whether they want to run the country, set up their own business or excel in a profession that breaks gender-boundaries, their lives are ahead of them and the page is blank until they write it.
That’s why I really love the Tara Binns range of books by Lisa Rajan. When I heard about it I just had to get hold of a copy from Lisa to share with you because it speaks so much about giving kids the promise of possibility.
Tara Binns is a clever departure from the princesses and fairies that often dominate books with female characters. She solves problems, invents things, learns new skills, has bright ideas, helps other people, makes tough decisions, and shows how practical, resourceful, capable and kind every little girl can be.
Tara’s adventures – that start off with her putting on a costume from her toy chest that she wouldn’t normally choose – show her that little girls can be or do anything – nothing is off limits and no jobs are just ‘for boys’ or ‘for girls’. They aim to inspire children, show them all the opportunities out there and plant big ideas in little minds.
In the first book in the series – – she finds herself flying a jumbo jet, and in skillfully avoiding a terrible thunderstorm happens upon what MIGHT be an old pirate treasure map. What she does with the treasure she finds is such a sweet touch. (Opps… spoiler alert!)
There are two more books coming up in the series – in Crash Test Genius Tara becomes an engineer while in Double Choc Doc she becomes a doctor – and all the books are written in a lovely rhythmic way with gorgeous illustrations.
Our eldest, Curly Girl, completely loved Eagle-Eyed Pilot, the first in the series, and can’t wait to get her hands on – available to pre-order from Amazon now by the way. She really identified with Tara Binns and I’m glad to say that she didn’t question her position of authority.
And at five years old, why would she? Girls can do ANYTHING, right? Let’s keep ringing that bell for ALL our children, girls and boys.
What did you want to be when you were little? Did you feel more constrained in your choices as you got older? Do you think the glass ceiling still exists? As always I love to read your comments!
What a wonderful idea for a series of books. You’d think in this day and age girls – and boys – would be free to do whatever they want, yet stereotypes and gender-specific expectations endure. Hope this helps inspire the next generation xxx #sharethejoy
Leigh – Headspace Perspective recently posted…
as a mum of three girls I love this, makes a nice change to the usual fairies and princess books we have!
Everything Mummy recently posted…Getting Organised For National Stationery Week
what a fab idea. It’s so sad that we still need to iron out the gap. My friends who have successful careers have had to sacrifice having children and the ones who did start a family have sacrificed their careers. Maybe with the shared pat leave things will change and little girls will have more role models to aspire to. #sharethejoy.
Ali recently posted…The woman in the soft play centre wearing odd socks
These look like books that my little girl will love. thanks for the recommendation
Jeremy recently posted…A Thin Line Between Lies and Imagination
These books sound great. I don’t remember what I wanted to be when I was younger but I remember being brought up in an environment where I thought I could do whatever I set my mind to. I have two boys and I hope I’m raising them to believe that anything is possible – for boys or girls, and to make sure that they too are seen for who they are and not just stereotyped.
Becky Brown recently posted…Camping – The Alphabet Adventures
I really think we have the tools, and knowledge to empower this new generation, to respect the equalities of all, and make the world a better place to live, for their children, and grandchildren!
I love the sound of these books – such a great way of encouraging girls to believe they can be whatever they want and the rhyming style is lovely.
Louise recently posted…From the mouths of babes #17
She sounds exactly like the kind of girl my daughter is shaping up to be – I am going to check these books out thank you #sharethejoy
Mummy Fever recently posted…Allergy awareness
What lovely illustrations! I’ve written a children’s book but lacking in the illustrations department!
Totally agree too!
I love these! I’m trying my hardest to put no gender restrictions in my little man but so many people comment if he likes something pink, it’d ridiculous!
Kaye recently posted…Fashion Friday #15: It’s Quite A Banan-za!
They sound awesome, and I’ll def be checking them out! My daughter loves the Daisy Meadow books, which are essentially fairies saving the day *sigh*.
We have a fair few Ladyird clasic books. In Cinderella the sentence ‘Cinderella is a good girl’ is repeated so often hubby and I have chopped it out.
As you’ve said, we live in a post bra-burning world. Let’s start teaching our kids a bit of realism.
Another fab post hon xxx
Mummy Tries recently posted…Do You Want to be a Better Parent?
He he, nothing wrong with a bit of fairy magic Renee 😉 As long as they’re saving it in their own way and empowered!
I agree books, toys, etc should be for both sexes I’ve never limited anything to my two boys or girl. My oldest had Disney princess dolls as much as he had cars. Lovely sounding book x
Susan Mann recently posted…
Yep, my two both love playing with cars, trains and lorries as much as dolls and ponies. I hate the way toys are labelled or ‘coloured’ to be pink or blue in order to segment them. Who says boys can’t like pink?!
100% agree, we must never limit or restrict girls or boys, my two love My Little Pony as much as Thomas and I’m proud to be raising feminist sons.
I was never made to feel I couldn’t be whomever I chose growing up (although my folks put their foot down about drama school) as they wanted me to go to uni as they both had done. My Mum was a lecturer with an BA, MA and PGCE (leaving her PHD when I was 2 as she couldn’t bare to leave me in nursery, my Dad has an MBE etc and was in management before they opened restaurants) and I too always wanted to follow that path. I did disappoint my Dad when I rejected a place at Oxford Uni though but I followed my own path, loved my time at Goldsmiths, University of London (totally the right place for me and an incredible uni) and I’ve had a fair few creative careers in my time.
I think what’s so exciting is how limitless the digital age has meant for life and work, blogging a case in point. I love the sound of these books for both sexes, thanks so much for making me aware of them. A beautifully written, smart and thoughtful review, as always x
HonestMum recently posted…
Oh honey thank you so much for your kind words. I really love this series too for all the reasons you’ve said – so important to leave our little ones with a world of possibilities in front of them. And I agree with you that the digital age has opened a lot of doors x
oh I couldn’t agree more! It’s so important not to limit children – boys or girls – into pigeonholed stereotypes about what they should aim for in life. Books like these are wonderful and we need more of them! We need to raise boys and girls as feminists / equallists, keen to explore their world and find their place in it, not be told where their place should be. Wonderful review xx
Mama and More aka Zaz recently posted…The allure of mens ties! – a guest post to tell us more
I knew this one would speak to you Zaz! 😉
She has a great name for a start! One to add to my list of books for Freya, I think.
I wanted to be a journalist from the age of nine but where I grew up aspirations were generally low (rather than a boy/girl thing). Even the careers advisor told me to think of something else. Almost 20 years into a career that I love, I’m glad I ignored her.
I will be teaching Freya that she can be whatever she wants as long as she is happy.
Tara recently posted…Allergy awareness – living in fear.
Absolutely! 😉 Good for you for ignoring a nay-sayer and going for your goal. And happiness is a fabulous way to start. Thanks for this fab comment x
I’m going to add this to my Amazon wishlist. Brilliant. I love any book that breaks stereotypes and enforces the message which we ourselves tell our children – they can be ANYTHING they want to be!
I wanted to be a doctor or lawyer when I was little, my gender didn’t constrict my choices, my laziness to study for long enough to qualify as either did!
Tinuke recently posted…How to make your child communicate on the school run
I agree with you Tinuke, so important to leave our children free to explore ALL the possibilities in life!