Boys shun ‘girl books’

BOYS don’t like reading books if the main character is a girl, making it harder for girls to be equal, according to the new Children’s Laureate.

Best-selling author and illustrator Lauren Child, who was appointed to the role this week, writes the Ruby Redfort books and the Charlie And Lola series, which has been adapted into a hit television show.

But the 51-year-old said she was concerned that boys were quick to shun what they think of as girls’ books.

“I don’t know if it’s just in our culture, or whether it’s a boy thing, that they find it very hard to pick up a book or go to a film if the girl is the central character,” she told the BBC. “I don’t know where that comes from but it worries me because it makes it harder for girls to be equal.”

She said she was concerned parents think her Ruby Redfort books, about a 13-year-old secret agent, are not for boys. In a separate interview, she said; “I felt it was really important to write the Ruby Redfort series about a strong girl because girls are not represented enough in that sort of lead role.” – Daily Mail