When I was at primary school, every so often we had the opportunity to choose a book to order from a leaflet that we took home and studied carefully, comparing ideas with friends to make sure that what we chose was not too 'out there'. Slim chance of anything too radical back in those days, as demonstrated by my choice of
The Zebra Book of Facts for Girls. (I rediscovered this book during
last month's sort-out.)
Actually, much of its content is non-gender-specific: statistics about the Commonwealth; geographical and political details about the UK; world history and geography; science and maths; and sporting records - though it is here the cracks start to show, as only female events are listed, and expressed formally, as in 'Mrs L W King' (that's Billy-Jean King).
From the chapter 'In The Home', we get these gems:
What would you do if your mother were taken ill and had to spend a few days in bed or had to go into hospital for treatment? Would you be able to look after the rest of the family?
and:
Why not try some of the recipes on the following pages next time your mother is not too busy in the kitchen?
There was an equivalent
Zebra Book of Facts for Boys. Of course, I have no idea what it contained - too strong for my delicate female sensibilities, I expect - but I'm imagining advice on how to fix a puncture, gut a fish and become an engineer.
Happy days!
