Equal To Everything: Judge Brenda and the Supreme Court

by Afua Hirsch
illustrated by Henny Beaumont

Ref: 15931

You may well have heard of Judge Brenda in the context of the Supreme Court's ruling back in September 2019 in which Boris Johnson's proroguing of parliament was found to be unlawful. You may also have seen the extensive media coverage of Judge Brenda's... brooches! (most notoriously an exceptionally large arachnid as she read out said ruling). But did you know that Judge Brenda was the first woman to become a Law Commissioner? And the first ever woman to be a judge in the UK's Supreme Court (remaining so until 2017- there are now 3)? And the first woman to be made President of the Supreme Court? If that record isn't grand and inspiring enough for the children in your life, then they might well enjoy hearing about her legislative roles in the fight for equal pay and the pivotal part she played in writing the Children Act 1989 which placed children's safety and happiness at the centre of child welfare decisions. (N.B.: she was also a celebrity judge on MasterChef 2018!) A truly rousing narrative and with a fabulous narrative perspective- the Supreme Court and Judge Hale are introduced through the keen voice of Ama on her trip with Class 3 from Richmond, Yorkshire to London's centre. Perhaps where this book triumphs most is in getting children to imagine themselves as the judges of the future- the final image of 12 members of Class 3 (including children from a range of faiths, ethnicities and a wheelchair user), now all grown up, poised in their judges' regalia, contrasts exquisitely with the earlier portrait of the current Supreme Court: all white; mostly male. As the book's publicity material says: "depicts a positive and aspirational vision of the Supreme Court for the future". There is so much for a classroom to exploit in this book; includes extension notes and archive pics at the back. Rhyming couplets and Beaumont's vibrant splashes of watercolour keep the text super-animated and engaging. Published by the Legal Action Group and written by a former barrister. Favourite illustrations: Judge Brenda in full gown and wig, gloved up in a boxing ring; a Black Rosie Riveter placard blazing out from a sea of women protestors. ['Casual' inclusion of a Black protagonist, multicultural characters and a child who is a wheelchair user]. Age 6-9, Hardback 34pp **SPECIAL OFFER £10.00, USUALLY £12.99**

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What is Gender? How Does It Define Us? And Other Big Questions

Ref: 15233

"The problem with gender is that it prescribes how we should be rather than recognising how we are" (Chimamanda Ngozi, quoted in What Is Gender?) There are now a small handful of children's/young people's titles exploring gender and transgender identities- but of very mixed quality. This book is one of the few which has received resoundingly thumbs-up reviews from our review team. Part of an excellent non-fiction series which poses all the BIG questions, this gender tour by Dawson uses a feminist framework to query and challenge conventional gender 'norms' while also embracing transgender identities and providing positive transgender role models. Chapters explore terms such as sex, intersex, gender and sexuality (making it clear sexuality is unrelated to sex/gender identity); they break down gender stereotypes; double page spreads give personal accounts from a range of role models including trans artists such as the author herself and Fox Fisher (from TV doc. My Transsexual Summer) and genderqueer performance artist, Krishna Istha. We particularly enjoyed the world map showing how gender is interpreted differently around the world, from the South Asian Hijra to the Two-Spirit, Native American, people. 'The book looks great and, unlike most books of its type, it doesn't feel po-faced, patronising, depressing or like an instruction manual. Even better, it really is for anyone interested in gender- not just a book for trans kids … or a 'mainstream' text with a token nod towards trans, non-binary and intersex identities'. (Mark, Equalities Trainer/Consultant, Letterbox Library reviewer [also on the board of Gendered Intelligence]) 'The best, clearest and most feminist-centred explanation of transgender and gender identities I've seen to date. Distinguishes between, rather than conflating, gender and sex (like so many other titles). And by a transgender author. Yes!' (Letterbox Library staff.) In contemporary culture, definitions and understandings of gender are in greater flux than ever before so this really is a great resource for school and a great read-alone for young people who are asking questions which you may feel are a little beyond you! Age 9-14, Hardback 44pp

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What is Masculinity? Why Does It Matter? And Other Big Questions

Ref: 15740

"Masculinity has too much Masculinity to ask for help. Masculinity is misunderstood. Masculinity is fragile...Masculinity is the law. Masculinity is religion. Masculinity is flawed" (Salena Godden). In the midst of a small flurry of children's books challenging ideas about 'masculinity', here comes a resource which is refreshingly thoughtful and contemplative as well as immediately accessible to young minds who are grappling with and enjoying big ideas. Typical of the wider Big Questions series, the book has a sharp mix of formats, combining personal testimonies, photos and images, digestible chunks of non-fiction with bold headers and question boxes for the reader which draw out key ideas and give pause for reflection. The chapter titles are a series of superbly provocative questions: What is the cost of masculinity?; Are there male and female brains?; What do feminists say about masculinity? The testimonials include Dave Pickering -known for his Mansplaining Masculinity storytelling show- famed UK poet, Salena Godden, with a poem especially written for this book and... us (yes, really)! This is truly a rich contribution to children's non-fiction and one we can't recommend enough. Timely, necessary, attentive to and respectful of its young audience, this book is a friend which holds out an encouraging, steadying hand to any child or young person wanting to reach a full humanity unfettered by the limiting impositions of gender stereotypes. Congratulations and thanks to the writer. editor team who have brought this into being: Jeffrey Boakye, teacher and author of Black, Listed and Hold Tight and Darren Chetty, teacher, researcher, writer and contributor to The Good Immigrant. Age 8-13, Hardback 44pp. ***SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE £11.00, RETAIL PRICE £13.99***

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Gender Equality

You will need to be a member of Letterbox Library to access this section (£5 annual fee). Please visit our membership page to create an acount.

Early Years Gender Equality Pack (Early Years Ages Birth-5)

Gender Equality Pack (Primary Key Stage 1)

Gender Equality Pack (Primary Key Stage 2)

Gender Equality Pack (Primary Key Stage 1 & 2)

Remarkable Women in History Book Pack (Key Stage 1 & 2)

Ada Twist, Scientist

A Farmer's Life + music/animation CD

Alfie's Angels (Dual Language)

Anthology of Amazing Women

Astro Girl

Baking With Dad

The Barber's Clever Wife

Better Nate Than Ever

Billy and the Dragon

Blocks

Bring Out the Banners

Busy Builders

Choices, Choices...

Clean It!

Clive and His Art

Clive and His Babies

Clive and His Bags

Clive and His Hats

Clive is a Nurse

Clive is a Librarian

Clive is a Teacher

Clive is a Waiter

The Closest Thing to Flying

Cook It!

Desert Rose

Dogs Don't Do Ballet

Electrigirl

Equal To Everything: Judge Brenda and the Supreme Court

Ever Clever Eva

The Extraordinary Life of Rosa Parks

Far From You

Fast and Slow

Fearless: The Story of Daphne Caruana Galizia

First Time: Dentist

First Time: Doctor

First Time: Hospital

First Time: Vet

Fix It!

The Flying Diggers

Football Star

Girls Can Do Anything

Girls Think of Everything Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women

Global Babies Girls

The Great Googly Moogly

Jessica's Ghost

Jill and the Beanstalk (Dual language)

Heather Has Two Mummies

Heather Has Two Mummies

Henry Helps With Dinner

How to Heal a Broken Wing

I Am Billie Jean King

Jamie

Julian at the Wedding

Julian Is a Mermaid

Karate Kids

Katherine Johnson: NASA Mathematician

Little Leaders: Bold Women in History

Little Guides to Great Lives: Maya Angelou

Little People, Big Dreams: Amelia Earhart

Little People, Big Dreams: Ella Fitzgerald

Little Red

Looking for Lord Ganesh

Look Up!

Lulu Loves Stories (+ Multi-Language CD)

Made by Raffi

Make More Noise!

Mama Miti

Max Kowalski Didn't Mean It

Noor-Un-Nissa Inayat Khan

Not All Princesses Dress In Pink

On Sudden Hill

Pearl Power

Pearl Power and the Toy Problem