Boys don’t like reading books that have girls as the main characters – and that “makes it harder for girls to be equal”, says the new Children’s Laureate Lauren Child.
Child, who wrote the Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean series, was speaking after her appointment was announced in Hull.
She is the 10th person to be the official champion of children’s books.
Child will hold the title for two years and takes over from Chris Riddell. More
Parents and teachers should not “wrap girls in cotton wool”, an independent schools’ leader has said.
Girls were not victims and were stronger and more feisty than they were often given credit for, said Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST).
Ms Giovannoni said girls should be encouraged to take the sorts of risks boys were more likely to take.
They should also be taught to say no and not always be willing to please. More