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Trans/Pugdog/Andrea U'Ren & Goose/Molly Bang
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From: Meg Rothstein <811.52>
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 12:50:40 -0500
I love the idea of "When I Was a Boy" being made into a picture book.
Although not specifically a book about trans identity, I appreciate the way gender stereotypes are slobbered upon in Adrea U'Ren's first book, _Pugdog_
(FSG, 2001). I first learned of _Pugdog_ when a friend who is FTM gave the picture book to me. (He bought the copy at Camp Trans. It must resonate with some readers.)
If you haven't seen it: Pugdog enjoys a life of tough and tumbleness, digging and playing and squirrel chasing and drooling. Pugdog loves it when Mike the person praises Pugdog with "Good boy"! When a vet reveals that Pugdog is biologically female, Mike sets out to "retrain" Pugdog. Mike replaces Pugdog's beloved black spiked collar with pink bows, a frou frou makeover, and a dress!
Furthermore, Mike no longer allows Pugdog to enjoy all the things he naturally loves. Pugdog wilts under the constrictions of not being able to express his pugdogginess.
Upset (and dressed to the nines), Pugdog makes a break for the park to dig a few holes and get dirty, just like old times. (This is my favorite illustrated page. You can make out the path of Pugdog by the dug holes and sprays of dirt.) Only after Mike encounters a gorgeously groomed, delicate poodle, who turns out to be biologically male, does Mike see the error of his assumptions about who Pugdog must be.
Some people might view the ending of Pugdog as pat, or Pugdog as not "deep" enough, but Pugdog is a well written, humorous story that preschoolers and kindergarteners have enjoyed (as well as grownups), with whimsical, clear illustrations that tell a narrative all their own (perfect for prereaders who are "talking through the story").
Also, hurrah for Molly Bang's _Goose_ (Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 1996), a tender and gorgeously illustrated (this is Molly Bang, after all), quiet little book that depicts a little goose who feels that she's different than the family of woodchucks who very lovingly raise her and try their best to cheer Goose up when she's unhappy. Goose must set out to discover what qualities make her feel this way-- and what gifts come from being different. The discovery: She can fly! (She flies all the way home, in the end.) You know, that little goose surprised everyone, especially herself! Great for preschoolers through age 199.
Sincerely, Meg Rothstein Madison, WI
Received on Sat 19 Jun 2004 12:50:40 PM CDT
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2004 12:50:40 -0500
I love the idea of "When I Was a Boy" being made into a picture book.
Although not specifically a book about trans identity, I appreciate the way gender stereotypes are slobbered upon in Adrea U'Ren's first book, _Pugdog_
(FSG, 2001). I first learned of _Pugdog_ when a friend who is FTM gave the picture book to me. (He bought the copy at Camp Trans. It must resonate with some readers.)
If you haven't seen it: Pugdog enjoys a life of tough and tumbleness, digging and playing and squirrel chasing and drooling. Pugdog loves it when Mike the person praises Pugdog with "Good boy"! When a vet reveals that Pugdog is biologically female, Mike sets out to "retrain" Pugdog. Mike replaces Pugdog's beloved black spiked collar with pink bows, a frou frou makeover, and a dress!
Furthermore, Mike no longer allows Pugdog to enjoy all the things he naturally loves. Pugdog wilts under the constrictions of not being able to express his pugdogginess.
Upset (and dressed to the nines), Pugdog makes a break for the park to dig a few holes and get dirty, just like old times. (This is my favorite illustrated page. You can make out the path of Pugdog by the dug holes and sprays of dirt.) Only after Mike encounters a gorgeously groomed, delicate poodle, who turns out to be biologically male, does Mike see the error of his assumptions about who Pugdog must be.
Some people might view the ending of Pugdog as pat, or Pugdog as not "deep" enough, but Pugdog is a well written, humorous story that preschoolers and kindergarteners have enjoyed (as well as grownups), with whimsical, clear illustrations that tell a narrative all their own (perfect for prereaders who are "talking through the story").
Also, hurrah for Molly Bang's _Goose_ (Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 1996), a tender and gorgeously illustrated (this is Molly Bang, after all), quiet little book that depicts a little goose who feels that she's different than the family of woodchucks who very lovingly raise her and try their best to cheer Goose up when she's unhappy. Goose must set out to discover what qualities make her feel this way-- and what gifts come from being different. The discovery: She can fly! (She flies all the way home, in the end.) You know, that little goose surprised everyone, especially herself! Great for preschoolers through age 199.
Sincerely, Meg Rothstein Madison, WI
Received on Sat 19 Jun 2004 12:50:40 PM CDT
