One thing about Rinker & Lichtenfeld's first big book, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site, is that it is also an interesting example of thoughtless gender roles and how they perpetuate in society. It's actually shocking that an editor didn't have them fix it; it came out in 2011, not 1981 or 1951. (Though I agree the rhymes great!) I'm guessing they got tons of flak for it because Steam Train Dream Train fixes all the issues.
For those who haven't read it: it is about a bunch of anthropomorphic construction vehicles at a construction site. Every single one is male. Why does a dump truck even need a gender?! Does the truck have a penis somewhere? And if it does need a gender, why can't female dump trucks also work at a construction site? Or are there no female dump trucks in this world? How does that even work? Where do baby dump trucks come from if there aren't any female dump trucks? Argh! All they needed to do was throw in at least a few female construction vehicles. Not even asking for 50/50 representation. Just something so those of us with daughters don't have them asking, "Why aren't there any girl cranes in the book?"
“GGCS” was written in 2008 and was the first book I’d ever written, inspired by my little boys. At the time that I wrote it and, on a whim, sent it into a publisher, I never dreamed it might become what it has — selling millions of copies worldwide, in almost 30 languages. I was in disbelief it was even being published, and would have been thrilled to sell 1000 copies (all bought by friends and family, I imagined), as a keepsake and reminder of the precious moments mothering my babies.
My editor did inquire if I wanted any of the characters changed to female. Those trucks and their sweet-yet-rough-and-tumble personalities were based on my own sons, but told her that, if she insisted, I WOULD change them — although the idea felt incredibly crushing and inauthentic.
She did not insist.
At the time, book sales were dominated by “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse,” and series like Pinkalicious, Angelina Ballerina, Fancy Nancy and American Girl. It seemed perfectly fine to put a book with boy characters into the mix. In fact, the NYT wrote a feature which included my book (among others) in an article titled “Bedtime Books For Boys.”
The world HAS changed drastically since 2008.
And, since that original book, I’ve written 10+ sequels, all of which feature female characters, including “Kid McGear,” the only breakout character in all of the titles, who also happens to be female.
Again, my apologies that you find my book so offensive. But I hope you’ll consider checking out some of my other titles.
Every book is a product of its time. And, of course, the GNCS series has grown and evolved over the years (I didn't even know about the first book until after my kids and I fell in love with the Christmas one!)
I love that your boys inspired the story -- that's so sweet, and look at what you've created from that.
I change up the pronouns when I read it aloud sometimes! There’s only one truck where the pronoun matters for the rhyme (has to be he/she), otherwise you can use he/him, she/her and they/them wherever.
Yeah I do that all the time too, especially when it is clear the gender was chosen just because English (mostly) forces you to
In Little Owl's Night a boy owl flies around at night and then gets ready for bed as the sun rises. But you can 100% switch the pronouns and only affect one or two rhymes, it isn't like the owl is doing anything especially boy-coded.
One thing about Rinker & Lichtenfeld's first big book, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site, is that it is also an interesting example of thoughtless gender roles and how they perpetuate in society. It's actually shocking that an editor didn't have them fix it; it came out in 2011, not 1981 or 1951. (Though I agree the rhymes great!) I'm guessing they got tons of flak for it because Steam Train Dream Train fixes all the issues.
For those who haven't read it: it is about a bunch of anthropomorphic construction vehicles at a construction site. Every single one is male. Why does a dump truck even need a gender?! Does the truck have a penis somewhere? And if it does need a gender, why can't female dump trucks also work at a construction site? Or are there no female dump trucks in this world? How does that even work? Where do baby dump trucks come from if there aren't any female dump trucks? Argh! All they needed to do was throw in at least a few female construction vehicles. Not even asking for 50/50 representation. Just something so those of us with daughters don't have them asking, "Why aren't there any girl cranes in the book?"
10,000%. I could not have said this better myself. Thank you, Tran!
I’m sorry that you’re displeased with my book.
“GGCS” was written in 2008 and was the first book I’d ever written, inspired by my little boys. At the time that I wrote it and, on a whim, sent it into a publisher, I never dreamed it might become what it has — selling millions of copies worldwide, in almost 30 languages. I was in disbelief it was even being published, and would have been thrilled to sell 1000 copies (all bought by friends and family, I imagined), as a keepsake and reminder of the precious moments mothering my babies.
My editor did inquire if I wanted any of the characters changed to female. Those trucks and their sweet-yet-rough-and-tumble personalities were based on my own sons, but told her that, if she insisted, I WOULD change them — although the idea felt incredibly crushing and inauthentic.
She did not insist.
At the time, book sales were dominated by “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse,” and series like Pinkalicious, Angelina Ballerina, Fancy Nancy and American Girl. It seemed perfectly fine to put a book with boy characters into the mix. In fact, the NYT wrote a feature which included my book (among others) in an article titled “Bedtime Books For Boys.”
The world HAS changed drastically since 2008.
And, since that original book, I’ve written 10+ sequels, all of which feature female characters, including “Kid McGear,” the only breakout character in all of the titles, who also happens to be female.
Again, my apologies that you find my book so offensive. But I hope you’ll consider checking out some of my other titles.
Every book is a product of its time. And, of course, the GNCS series has grown and evolved over the years (I didn't even know about the first book until after my kids and I fell in love with the Christmas one!)
I love that your boys inspired the story -- that's so sweet, and look at what you've created from that.
I change up the pronouns when I read it aloud sometimes! There’s only one truck where the pronoun matters for the rhyme (has to be he/she), otherwise you can use he/him, she/her and they/them wherever.
Yeah I do that all the time too, especially when it is clear the gender was chosen just because English (mostly) forces you to
In Little Owl's Night a boy owl flies around at night and then gets ready for bed as the sun rises. But you can 100% switch the pronouns and only affect one or two rhymes, it isn't like the owl is doing anything especially boy-coded.
Sarah, thank you so much for your very kind words about my book. I’m truly honored.