Ellie the Superhero

Ellie the Superhero PDF I am in the process of getting my work published through Queens Library, but if you would like to read my story online, this is the link.

For my project, I wrote a children’s book,  Ellie the Superhero. In the story, a little girl named  Ellie  plays with toy swords, dinosaurs and  superheroes. Her imagination makes her feel like a superhero, which is typically not “girly”. I wanted to write a book that would open conversation within children about traditional gender roles. From a young age, we are conditioned to act like a male or female based on our sex, when really we should just do what we like and what makes us feel like an  individual. As we get older, it’s harder to shake the social conditioning of gender roles. When we try to break away and do something that is not considered the norm, it feels challenging because it may not be perceived well.  My goal for the book is to make children feel comfortable with themselves and express their individuality.


My inspiration for the book was the Understanding Patriarchy chapter from Bell Hooks, when she talked about getting in trouble for playing with marbles because boys played with marbles. That led into my thoughts about growing up as the only girl in my family with two older brothers. I can’t remember a specific moment where I have gotten into trouble for “acting like a boy”, but I remember my mom saying “girls don’t play with those toys”, referring to my brother’s toys. When I was young, I never understood why she would say that, I just listened to her and played with my toys.

After reading books like Jacob’s New Dress and Ronald Humphrey is Wearing a What?, I wanted to write this book for my daughter,Ellie, also the inspiration for the book, and all the little girls and little boys out there like her. I want her to know it’s ok to express yourself, without the fear of not being accepted. Even if children reading this book have the idea that girls should be this way and boys should be that way, I would like for them to read this and have them question what they think, and to get the parents into the conversation as well. I have published my book through Queens Library, although they are in the process of reviewing my book. I have linked my PDF file at the top of the page.

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Jacob loves playing dress-up, when he can be anything he wants to be. Some kids at school say he can't wear "girl" clothes, but Jacob wants to wear a dress to school. Can he convince his parents to let him wear what he wants? This heartwarming story speaks to the unique challenges faced by boys who don't identify with traditional gender roles.

Roland Humphrey is Wearing a What? tells the story of a little boy who just happens to love pinks and purples and loves wearing barrettes in his hair as well as other stereotypically “girlie” things.  When he shows up to school one day wearing a pink-striped shirt, his friends, Ella and Lucy, teach Roland all about the “color rules” – – which colors are acceptable for boys and which colors (and patterns and accessories) are not allowed.  Roland struggles between following these rules and being true to himself until he finally decides that he should be able to wear what he wants.

ABC News- Shopping for Halloween Costumes
In an ABC News segment, a mother brings her daughter to the mall to go costume shopping and the girl picks out a Spiderman costume. Other customers notice the mom and daughter and give their opinion on the subject.

NY Times article- Turn your 8 year old into a feminist
This article is about alternative ways to think about a fairy tale and getting an 8 year old to think like a feminist without them even knowing.

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Works Cited

Eileen, Kiernan-Johnson, and Katrina Revenaugh. Roland Humphrey Is Wearing a What? Boulder, CO: Huntley Rahara, 2012. Print.

Hoffman, Sarah, Ian Hoffman, and Chris Case. Jacob's New Dress. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

Hooks, Bell. "Understanding Patriarchy." The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love. New York: Washington Square, 2004. N. pag. Print.

"You Can't Be a Princess" ABC, n.d.