Author & Illustrator – Chris Paul (Rainbows) Farias

Published by Rebel Goose Books

I love a book with an important message, and the message in this book is that you are important, you are enough, you get to make your own choices and your choices are fantastic.

The delivery and context provided in this book make the message easily understood by children as long as it is supported with a competent story teller who is not afraid to ask critically reflective questions and enter into potentially uncomfortable conversations.  The fun and colourful illustrations fully support and enhance the story.

This story almost presents us with the impossible, guinea pigs not wearing pants, llama’s not wearing lipstick and chickens not wearing poodle skirts.  But the message it is actually conveying is that, for some, there is no choice (in made up circumstances like these, there does not need to be a choice), for us, for you, for children there is ALWAYS a choice.  You can wear whatever colour you want, whatever clothing you like.  You can do or be whatever you want, and no one has the right to take that ability away from you.  We are encouraged to take risks, not follow the crowd or the “norm” and be authentic – no matter what that means to you.

Often, the best part of listening to and engaging in a story is the reader’s ability to make a story come to life by asking for participation in the form of asking questions that allow for critical thinking.  When reading this book, try to ask children, what it is that they like, why they think others might see things as silly or “not okay”, perhaps you could ask each child what is special about them and try to encourage them to consider their inner qualities rather than their outward appearance.  

To purchase this book visit: https://www.rebelgoosebooks.com/collections/books/products/guinea-pigs-dont-wear-pants-1