Published Online:September 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of English Studies
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJES040925
DOI:10.71329/IUPJES/2025.20.3.36-46
Author Name:Mallika Katoch and Bhavya Raj
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Arts and Humanities
Download Format:PDF
Pages:36-46
The writers and illustrators of children’s literature carry a significant responsibility of shaping children’s imaginations and societal perceptions. However, rigid gender roles are prominent in this genre. The scarce representation of girls as compared to boys often reflects stereotyped gender roles. Gender awareness in children often arises from stories where female characters are portrayed as soft and dainty, tending to the sick, while male characters are the heroes. Female characters are shown as subservient nurturers, frequently depicted as mothers and homemakers, while men are perceived as carefree or financial providers. In India, however, various children’s books feature characters from diverse backgrounds, promoting multifaceted perspectives. These stories heavily engage with nature, where it serves as a backdrop that reinforces gender stereotypes. They also illustrate how both nature and women suffer at the hands of masculinity, as males venture through nature, while women interact with it. This study focuses on the UNICEF-CBT award-winning story Mamani’s Adventure by Mitra Phukan and two books from the Outlandish World series by C G Salamander, which intertwine nature and feminist themes, highlighting gender plurality and female relationships with nature.
For children, nature acts as a sanctuary that shields and nourishes them, while also captivating their natural inquisitiveness and fascination.