Some more thoughts about Bookstart Bear and Tala

(because no, I don't buy the sneering argument that this is not important. Stuff about young children and mothers is not beneath consideration. That's feminism)

Library programmes are one of the first outside things parents engage in with their children. Education involves slowly growing independence. Parents protect their children, and institutions must work with parents. Don't trust institutions and people who lie or are ambiguous.

Bookstart Bear is shown as an adult protecting and nurturing a child. According to the brand he is male, though I guess most children will read this picture as a mama bear. Most babies and toddlers are primarily cared for by their mothers

Tala is an 'otherworldly creature' (the publicity doesn't even say alien). But one thing that is clear is it is an infant. Big eyes, big head, and to emphasise it toddlers clothing.

So where does this infant (who 'takes they/them pronouns' parents are told) come from? Where are its parents? Did it hatch from an egg or was it born from a mama? Who looks after its interests?

Ask these questions and you get the usual 'you are obsessing about genitals'.

No. What you are thinking about is child protection.

The idea that this alien species are not male or female, and that this is something we should all take in our stride, is the idea that the question of where this infants mother is should not even be asked.

Maya Forstater So you think the Little Prince isn't suitable reading for a child?

Because that's where this reasoning leads you. Children unsupervised appears in....oooh...about 50% of children's books?

Maya Forstater Narnia - no one seems worried about children in a magical kingdom even though one of them is nearly killed in book 1 (as written - so TLWITW)

Swallows and Amazons - 'if Duffers better drowned'

Harry Potter - Ofstead & HSE want words about that school.

@HarryMbike Maya Forstater None of those books are suitable for the 0-5 year old range, so what is your point?

Enarial P. Agent 6577 @HarryMbike Maya Forstater Ok then - how about ‘Winnie the Pooh’ or ‘Paddington’? No parent in sight!

⚠️ CHILD PROTECTION ISSUE! According to Maya! 🙄

(God, I can’t believe I’m actually having to@point out how unhinged her arguments are!? 😣)

Helen🏳️‍⚧️✊🏻💕 Enarial P. Agent 6577 @HarryMbike Maya Forstater Winnie the Pooh goes around with NO PANTS and has no discernible genitals or parents; babies are going to be Very Confused. We need to stop this Queering of Kid Literature immediately (~sarc!)