Myrtti ja noitatukka
(Myrtle and the Witch Hair) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Myrtti’s 8th birthday gets a surprising turn, when the amusement park’s ghost train plunges into a wild drop. The ghost train takes Myrtti to the Moon world, where different magical creatures live. Myrtti begins to search for her way home, with the help of Fuuga, a soft toy anteater that secretly talks to Myrtti, and Hirmu, a plastic toy triceratops that also comes to life. Along the way, Myrtti meets witches Loviisa, who is her age and Kanerva, who is nonbinary. The book starts a children’s book series.
Edited by: Lastenkirjainstituutti
Comment:
The children’s fantasy novel features diverse representations of gender. Myrtti’s father is transgender and Kanerva is transgender. In the later parts of the series we also get to know Malva, who sometimes goes by the name Alvar. They are neither a girl nor a boy and therefore change their name, clothes and hairstyle depending on what feels good at the time. However, the focus of the story is on Myrtti and the new exciting world, getting lost, secrets and friendship. There is no need to show or teach about diversity or its acceptance, as the world of the book is naturally diverse.