Jamie is Jamie: Gender Equality in Picture Books
What are boys and girls “supposed” to play with? It starts so early. We as adults are influencing the children in our lives as they explore the world of free play. Most parents agree that playing is a fundamental part of learning. Which is why this amazing new picture book, Jamie is Jamie by Afsaneh Moradian is critically necessary to add to your bookshelves.
Author Afsaneh Moradian is a seasoned educator. In her interview below, she gives us expert advice on how to support free play and support kids as they explore. Her book is a picture book is a guide on how to avoid intentionally or unintentionally deeming things “for girls” or “for boys”.
Jamie is Jamie removes gender from play, showing children the freedom and confidence to imagine, role-play, and explore wherever their imagination takes them without the burden of what they are “supposed to” play with. Below is an interview with Afsaneh about her debut and revolutionary picture book, Jamie is Jamie. 
Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from the author to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Bonus: Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the page.
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Author Interview
Tell us a little about your own multiracial family that inspired the project.
Having a multiracial family has definitely made me think about representation. As a multiracial kid, I really didn’t see myself in the books I read. That’s why I am careful to choose the books I buy for my own child.
My daughter inspired Jamie is Jamie. At the age of 2, she made a comment once that she wanted to be a boy because boys are the problem solvers.
I immediately asked friends and family to search for picture books about confident, independent girls/women. We read them all.
However, it wasn’t until she saw a blue-haired child running away from the bathroom in the book A Rule is to Break: Child’s Guide to Anarchy that my daughter said, “That’s me!”
I was so struck because I had never heard her say that before. I realized that what she was looking for wasn’t someone who looked like her, but someone who thought and acted like her.
The true inspiration for Jamie is Jamie came after my daughter went over to a boy at a restaurant. She asked if she could play with him and his action figures. He replied, “No, these are only for boys!” She was upset and confused by the situation.
My husband and I reassured her that she can play with action figures. We went out and bought her some ourselves to prove the point. However, a few weeks later the same thing happened again (different boy and restaurant).
I was outraged that my daughter was hearing this in 2018 and saddened for the boys who were being taught that some toys are only for boys. They missed out on a really fun time with my kid. In turn, I wrote a story about a kid who likes to play with everything and everyone.
Can you talk about your passion for inclusion and gender equality for your book?
Whenever I read Jamie is Jamie to a group of children there are always strong opinions as to whether Jamie is a boy or a girl. It’s fun to hear them argue their point using examples from the book. I do have to explain eventually that there is no way to know definitively if Jamie is a boy or a girl. Moreover, that the point of the story is that gender doesn’t matter.
I think this message is incredibly important for creating safe spaces that are inclusive and accepting of all children.
As parents and educators we know that we have transgender kids, gender non-conforming kids, gender neutral kids and kids who identify in other ways. We also have students who are diverse in thought, appearance, and background.
Through Jamie’s story, children can see an example of how to be a good friend and how to accept someone who may be different from you or who you may not understand.
The story mostly takes place during free play. Why did you make that choice?
It was important for me to show how capable kids are of learning from one another as well as working out differences on their own.
Adults can be very quick to intervene with children, and I wanted to let the kids react to Jamie in their own way. With a push towards academic preschool and many extracurricular activities scheduled, many children have less time for free play.
Having play time is essential for them to develop their social skills, learn from one another, and to try solving conflicts on their own. Having the time and space to play freely and be themselves is empowering for children and equips them with the confidence to handle future situations.
What message are you hoping kids and adults take away from the book?
When kids hear or read Jamie is Jamie, I hope that they leave the story knowing that there is no such thing as a “boy” or “girl” toy. Playing is for everyone and they should feel free to play how they choose.
I also hope they take away some of Jamie’s self-confidence. To embrace themselves fully regardless of what the other children might say or try to limit Jamie’s fun. All kids should know they are fantastic. They should always feel free to be themselves.
For adults — and there are tips at the back of the book that explain this more fully— I hope they are reminded that children understand gender and play based on what we teach them. We limit them tremendously when we decide on what they “should” play with. We as adults are the ones to teach that there’s some problem if a boy plays with “girl” toys or vice versa.
Our job as adults is to create safe spaces for our children to play. Where they can discover and develop physically, cognitively, socially, emotionally, and intellectually.
Jamie is Jamie provides a really helpful example of how this can look.
You have your PhD in Education. Do you have any advice for using picture books in the classroom?
I love using picture books in the classroom. For younger children, it’s always great to hear their reactions and how they get inspired by the stories.
For older children, even as old as 7th/8th grade, a picture book like Jamie is Jamie is a quick read aloud. However, it is full of very complicated ideas regarding how we view gender and gender stereotypes.
The theme of inclusion and respect in the story can foster a discussion related to #MeToo movement. Discussion is needed for boys to respect girls’ words and bodies.
I listened to a fifth grade class launch into a discussion about why they sit segregated by gender at lunch every day. It was truly fascinating to hear the boys and girls work out why they think that is. More importantly, what they could do to change it.
What is one piece of advice you would give to other aspiring authors who are parents/teachers of young children?
We write stories because we have something to say or something we want to teach others. Think about what is missing and fill in those wholes. I had to write Jamie is Jamie because I realized that if my daughter needed this story, so did many other kids.
We have the ability to use our writing and our stories to help our children learn to be empathetic and compassionate as well as thoughtful and kind adults.
Write to make the world a better place and worry about publishing it later. Finally, believe in your writing and persist until you find an agent or publisher.
What is the best way people can touch base with you and support you on social media?
You can subscribe to my website or find me on Twitter or Facebook. You can also find more amazing books by following my publisher Free Spirit Books on Twitter.
Purchase Jamie is Jamie On Amazon |Shop your local indie bookstore
About the Author
Afsaneh Moradian has loved writing stories, poetry, and plays since childhood. After receiving her Masters degree in Education, she took her love of writing into the classroom. She began teaching children how to channel their creativity and her passion for teaching has lasted for over 15 years.
Afsaneh is now working towards her PhD in Education while she guides students, teachers, and her young daughter in the art of writing.
Her multiracial and multicultural family background includes Iranian, Jewish Russian, Mexican, and Mixe (an indigenous tribe).
At home, Afsaneh and her family speak and write in Mixe, Spanish, and English. Hear more from Afsaneh in her Consciously Parenting Interview series.
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05/30/2018 @ 8:46 pm
Great post! I spend a lot of time in early childhood classrooms and it’s amazing how subconsciously children are pushed towards toys that are more “gender appropriate.”
05/30/2018 @ 9:14 pm
Thank you for the support. I totally agree. It’s something a lot of people are unwilling or unable to tackle!