New children's book putting the spotlight on same-sex female relationships

Chaz Harris' book Maiden Voyage tells the story of the love between two young female characters.

A new children's book putting the spotlight on same-sex marriage is also helping address gender equality.

An American study shows females make up just one third of the lead characters in kids' books, but one children's author is putting girls front and centre.

Maiden Voyage by Charz Harris, Adam Reynolds and Jamiee Poipoi tells the story of Ru, a fisherman's daughter who inherits a map from her father, and sets off on a voyage of discovery with a friend.

"It's very important for us all to read about a diverse world, whether we know it or not we all have a bit of prejudice from ignorance, so we need to address ignorance," children's writer Joy Cowley says.

Harris says the book provides as much benefit to boys as it does to girls.

"We've got twice as many lead male protagonists in children's books now...we need girls and boys need to see strong powerful women being represented in children's books so they can believe they can do anything they set their minds to," Chaz says.

Maiden Voyage tells the story of the love between two female characters.

It's the second book for Chaz Harris and co-author Adam Reynolds.

Their first gay love story, Promised Land, sold thousands of copies around the world.

Now they're back online fundraising to publish again, with some celebrity endorsement from the likes of Sir Ian McKellen and George Takei from Star Treck.

"After the first book, we heard from lots of readers who really wanted to see themselves represented in children's books like this," Chaz says.

There are thousands of picture books in this Wellington kids store but just ten have gay, lesbian or transgender characters, and just one is from New Zealand.

InsideOUT is a Kiwi support organisation for people of minority genders and sexualities and national coordinator, Tabby Besley, says the fact a concerted effort has to be made to create more fictional female characters is unfortunate.

"Like why are we still having that conversation? I'd like to be talking about let's have more more gender diversity representations but we're still looking for strong female characters," Tabby says.  

Chaz, Adam and Jamiee's latest effort is at least going some way to balancing the books.

People can contribute to the production of the book here .


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