Samantha Tidy, (text) and Aska (illustrator), When grandma burnt her bra, EK Books, September 2023, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781922539465
This picture book is an absolute delight. It made me laugh out loud.
Maggie’s grandmother Margaret is ‘really old’ and has the best stories. As Nan regales her grand-daughter with stories of her participation in the women’s movement in the 70s, Maggie’s imagination runs riot as she transforms the ‘dinosaur’ attitudes towards gender equality into real dinosaurs and cavemen and women!
This book tackles feminist issues with flair and humour – and sees that the solution to gender inequality is co-operation. I particularly love the portrayal of Maggie’s dad in the background, quietly cooking their lunch at the barbecue and nodding in agreement with everything Margaret says.
When Margaret tells Maggie of all the injustices women have had to face, Maggie feels ‘a fire rising in my belly’ and Nan jumps to her feet, crying out ‘Feel the fire, Maggie!’ What a rally cry!!
The illustrations support the text perfectly and are bright and joyous, with plenty of humorous details to discover on close inspection.
This book encourages children to believe that gender is no barrier to them fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.
Highly Recommended for children aged 5-9 years.
Teacher notes are available on the publisher’s webpage.
Reviewed by Gaby Meares