My Shadow Is Pink By Scott Stuart: Chapter Analysis

After reading Chapter 9 “Learning about Gender Diversity and Fairness” and searching through many anti-bias children’s books I decided to go with “My Shadow is Pink” by Scott Stuart. This book touches on what the child may be feeling, when knowing their different from their siblings or even classmates and the struggles they go through. In the book, like in society today there are stereotyped gender roles, brought to children at a young age. “As children learn to recognize unfairness in gender stereotyping, teasing, and rejection (or any other kind of hurtful attitudes related to social identities), they may be left feeling angry and helpless unless their learning is coupled with ways of changing unfair to fair.” (Derman-Sparks, 2020, p. 134).

To start off the author is sending a key message, in which he has personally experienced and wants to elucidate on. From a father’s perspective and how he feels children like his son should be included in books like such, to help other children understand where they are coming from. The illustrations are colorful and easy for young children to comprehend and recognize. They are eye catching and engaging from both the reader and listeners perspective. “Children’s books teach children about who is important, who matters, who is even visible.” (Derman-Sparks, 2023, pg. 1). I included this quote from the article "Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias children’s Books” because it’s key to note that there are many different types of people included within this book. For example, at the end of the book the father talks to his son about the different types of people in the world and how from the outside perspective you can’t tell what they enjoy and what makes them, them. The book normalizes that some boys like to dance and do art, while some girls like cars and science, but by just looking at them, you wouldn’t assume that. The book is trying to make children and adults recognize that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Judging a book by its cover is a form of stereotyping, and you never truly know, or understand a person unless you get to know

This is a relevant book to have because, as a teacher you never know how a student may be feeling about themselves, or how their family’s view them. One may have feelings of self-doubt or hatred because they aren’t like the rest of their classmates and their family isn’t accepting. Including this book helps students understand it’s okay to be themselves, and to embrace it. “My Shadow is Pink” also highlights the important of not stereotyping certain genders, and toys that are labeled for “boys” or “girls”. Toys are toys and are made to be played with and explored no matter what gender or age the child is. Overall, I think this is a good book to have in your classroom library, and I love the story behind the father writing this children’s book in honor of his