#isabellemalenfant

[noodlenuts]

All children need to feel loved and accepted. Period. 👗👗👗 But I think it's just as important that we, as adults, remember that some issues aren't just about politics and "personal beliefs". When we insist on gendering everything, we stifle EVERY child's imagination and creativity, not just those struggling with their identities. I have lots of pictures of myself with male friends, as toddlers in the '70s, dressed up gleefully in my mom's old maternity clothes, having the time of our lives. Those friends grew up to be cisgender, straight men ... and wonderful fathers. Kids need to be allowed to pretend and imagine! So today, for World Mental Health Day, I'm sharing Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant's wonderful "Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress" (2014), about a little boy who loves to play in his favourite colourful, rustly dress from the dress-up box at school. The book does a beautiful job of addressing the negative reactions he gets, how they affect him, and ultimately how Morris reminds those around him that imagination shouldn't have limits or boundaries, and everyone deserves to enjoy the things that make them happy. ⚫ ⚫ #noodlenutskidsbooks #bookstagraminthe6ix #morrismicklewhiteandthetangerinedress #morrismicklewhite #christinebaldacchino #isabellemalenfant #worldsmentalhealthday #worldmentalhealthday #mentalhealthday #pretendplay #dressup #dressupplay #imaginativeplay #imagination #bullying #inclusion #nonbinarykids #transgenderkids #genderfluidkids #useyourimagination #stopbullying #creativeplay #readwithriver_discussions #letthembelittle #magicofchildhood #kidsbooks #learnathome #getcreativewith #raisingkindkids #invitationtoexplore https://www.instagram.com/p/B3cU3BWnnaB/?igshid=1dpjiajbpifkn