The children's book "Peanut goes for the Gold", published January 2020, is about a non-binary guinea pig.
Peanut Goes for the Gold is a charming, funny, and heartfelt picture book that follows the adventures of Peanut, a gender nonbinary guinea pig who does everything with their own personal flare....
This upbeat and hilarious picture book, inspired by Jonathan's own childhood guinea pig, encourages children to not just be themselves—but to boldly and unapologetically love being themselves.
From Harper Collins
Should be an interesting read if it meets the publisher's description.
** Since posting this originally, I took the book out from the public library. Not that interesting and definitely not a "I've got to have my own copy" kind of book.
I do wonder, though, if anyone has done any studies as to the impact of books featuring animals versus those featuring human characters. Is there a difference in how children relate to and take in the message?
I asked Kristi who works in education and literacy, about this. While we are not aware of particular research about this, here are parts of our conversation.
Certainly there is a positive impact when people see themselves or their own situation reflected in characters in a book, movie, TV show, etc.
A wide variety of characters and situations can be helpful to normalize a range of differences.
Seeing something first in a non-human character (like a guinea pig) who plays a human-like role might make it easier for someone who finds ideas like nonbinary new or unnerving might make it easier for them to later relate to a person who is nonbinary.
The use of non-human characters might also expand our understanding of binary. What I mean is, while some animals are clearly understood to have male and female (think cow and bull, or male and female birds with very different plumage), some others are not as obvious (think squirrels) and some ... well, I have no idea if worms even have gender. Or what about those guinea pigs? I imagine they are male or female, just like the gerbils I had as a child, but I don't think about male or female when I see one.
The connection for the reader could be the character species, the artwork, the humour, or any number of aspects of the book or show.
Kristi also said,
"I do feel it is so important for kids and adults to get a wide range of literature and if being exposed to characters in all situations helps you recalibrate and check who you are all the better. I also think it’s really important to have a huge variety because it can help 'normalize' ideas and situations too."
Would love to hear your thoughts...
I asked Kristi who works in education and literacy, about this. While we are not aware of particular research about this, here are parts of our conversation.
Certainly there is a positive impact when people see themselves or their own situation reflected in characters in a book, movie, TV show, etc.
A wide variety of characters and situations can be helpful to normalize a range of differences.
Seeing something first in a non-human character (like a guinea pig) who plays a human-like role might make it easier for someone who finds ideas like nonbinary new or unnerving might make it easier for them to later relate to a person who is nonbinary.
The use of non-human characters might also expand our understanding of binary. What I mean is, while some animals are clearly understood to have male and female (think cow and bull, or male and female birds with very different plumage), some others are not as obvious (think squirrels) and some ... well, I have no idea if worms even have gender. Or what about those guinea pigs? I imagine they are male or female, just like the gerbils I had as a child, but I don't think about male or female when I see one.
The connection for the reader could be the character species, the artwork, the humour, or any number of aspects of the book or show.
Kristi also said,
"I do feel it is so important for kids and adults to get a wide range of literature and if being exposed to characters in all situations helps you recalibrate and check who you are all the better. I also think it’s really important to have a huge variety because it can help 'normalize' ideas and situations too."
Would love to hear your thoughts...
