By addressing Title IX in kidlit, we opened up a can of worms! We’ve been very surprised by some of the reactions to our use of Title IX in “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts.”
In the book, Bash is very sensitive and relies on his dog, Lucy, to help keep him calm. But Lucy has become a superstar soccer coach, and all the kids want her to coach their teams. Chief among them is Bash’s cousin, Paula, who says that under Title IX, her soccer team has the right to the very best resources–and that includes Lucy, the best coach around!
Under Title IX, women and girls are entitled to the same resources as boys. In sports, that means they should have the same funding, equipment, coaching and other opportunities, as we explain in our book. Our hope was to teach kids about Title IX in kidlit– using kidlit to explain the concept in an easy-to-understand manner. We created three girl-power characters, and purposely created them to support women’s equality in different ways. Interestingly, we’ve gotten positive comments about Ally, the librarian-dancer-mayor, and negative comments about the more militant Paula.
Some of our reviewers think we did a good job of introducing readers to Title IX. But others have given us very negative reviews for the fact that Paula tries to take sensitive Bash’s dog away.
First, here are a few of the positive comments about our use of Title IX in kidlit:
An Important Message Candy-Wrapped with Humor
This is our favorite review because the readers understood what we were trying to accomplish. Tina Morley said on Amazon and her blog, “Amanda’s Books and More,” Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts teaches an important message candy wrapped with humor. Bash learns that under the Title IX law, girls have equal rights as boys when it comes to the best coaches and education. This is an early chapter book with expressive illustrations.”
Tina’s 10-year-old daughter, Amanda, wrote: “I liked that they loved dogs so much and let them be coaches. I think it’s cool that Ally is everywhere. Whenever you need her, she’s there. I like that the grandma is a coach and teaches the best girl team. I also like the grandma’s accent.”
Helps to Integrate Equal Opportunity Between Genders (Title IX)…into more Understandable Ideas for Kids
Kirk Mango, a collegiate National Champion in gymnastics and author of “Becoming a True Champion,” wrote,
“Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts” is a nicely written piece that helps to integrate equal opportunity between genders (Title IX) and meld them into more understandable ideas for kids. Taking the main concepts of Title IX, the book takes readers on a journey through the complexities of this law. Its ups and downs, or collateral consequences…depending on one’s perspective, and the possible effects, in a real sense, on all those involved in sports participation. There is more to Title IX than many might initially realize as its application can be cumbersome when looking at all it effects.
In the end, through Bash and Lucy’s journey, there IS a solution that benefits ALL…one where fairness, equality, and equitability tends to win out over disparity…inequality. A good read for those who want to introduce our younger generation to current issues facing us today.
Lastly, I cannot end this review without mentioning the wonderful artwork and illustrations…certainly a GREAT help in keeping children riveted to the book and its purpose.
I Have Four Daughters and Wish This Book was Around When They Were Growing Up to Help Them Adjust to the tough World Out There
Now, for the negative comments about our use of Title IX in kidlit:
Ludicrous and Disgusting
Amber Hawke wrote on Goodreads, giving the book one star, “I personally feel that this would not be a good book for children because while everything does end well it was not a nice book. The idea that a young boy with some emotional sensitivity difficulties could have his companion dog taken away to help a girls team due to an equal opportunity law was both ludicrous and disgusting. I feel this could upset young children and send bad messages to them.
Our response to Amber’s review:
Thanks so much for your comments. A few points: The book describes Bash as being sensitive. He relies on his dog to help keep him calm. The book never says Lucy is a service dog or emotional support dog. Also, Bash is anything but a helpless victim. In fact, we hope it’s clear he’s upset but still takes action by going to the library and trying to understand Title IX. Also, he’s supported by many people around him, who like to bring him food to ensure his blood sugar is high enough to keep him feeling calm. In the end, he works with others to find a solution that makes everyone happy.
We’d like to add that one of our favorite book series, “I Funny,” by James Patterson, features a boy in a wheelchair who faces numerous challenges–including bullies who are very hard on him and make fun of the fact that he’s in a wheelchair. While this may seem cruel, the important message is that the boy, even though wheelchair-bound, overcomes such obstacles, thanks to his scrappy personality and group of friends.
Girl Empowerment is Important BUT….
On Goodreads, Cheryl wrote, “This is a cute book. Young readers will enjoy Lucy, the Golden Retriever. I know I sure did. She is awesome. That is why Bash and Paula both wanted her so bad. I understood Paula’s reasons for wanting Lucy for her girl’s team but I felt like there was a better way to go about sharing Lucy. Girl empowerment is very important but it seemed to be portrayed wrong in this book. Paula felt that she could use this reason as “entitlement” for Lucy with no thoughts about how this would make Bash feel.
What do you think? We want to hear from others! If you email us at BashAndLucy@gmail.com, we’ll send you a free book in exchange for a review, especially comments about our use of Title IX in kidlit!
Meanwhile, be sure to watch Michael dedicate the book to his immigrant grandma, Vera, from Ukraine. She’s one of the girl-power characters in “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts.” While she’s hard on Bash at times, she’s also very gentle and loving and helps the kids find a solution to their problem.