In When Grandma Burnt Her Bra, Samantha Tidy creatively explores gender equality using humour and dinosaurs to unravel societal myths and foster appreciation for past struggles and progress.

What do you love about writing children's books?

I love the many windows to new worlds that are created for little people to step into. Books really are new world windows, to endless possibilities. Picture books are the golden era for little people, where we show them the infinite capacity of their own world building. It's so very magical and rare to get right - but when it does, it's perfection!

What inspired you to write When Grandma Burnt Her Bra?

I was researching the history of feminism and women's rights for a high school teaching unit I wrote, when I learnt about some very sad and difficult moments that prior generations had to endure. I myself were shocked by these well documented tales of suffragette experiences, and I wondered how on Earth I could tell my daughter these stories and have her believe me! I then realised I had to write a book about it, that gave young people ways to find interest in these stories. Even in my short 50 years of life, I myself have seen great change in the space of gender equality. I truly hope new generations don't ever take these accomplishments for granted. That said, there really is so much more to unpack in the future. The best way to continue a cause is to know where it came from... hence, this book!

Did you have any personal experiences that contributed to this new book?

Not particularly, but I would say understanding my own mother's contribution and my own grandmother's contribution to building the life that I now benefit from, has influenced my awareness of the slowness of the shift in gender equality. I am proud to be the first woman in my family to attend university and to achieve considerable career goals, but it really shouldn't have taken so long. All of this I could not have done without being provided education. Education truly is the key to change, not just in gender equality, but in many spheres of our modern life across the world. In fact, women's education is a strong part of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. If ever there was a blueprint for managing equality on our planet, this is the document. If you don't know it, check it out and see what influence you can have in your own community.

As it says on your website: "When Grandma Burnt Her Bra uses humour to tell the story of feminism and women’s rights, exploring how, throughout history, both men and women have broken down barriers.” What was it like to write a children’s book about this big topic? What made it easy? What made it hard?

Using the literary device of dinosaurs (whilst humans and dinosaurs never coexisted - we DO need to suspend our reality for a moment to understand some big concepts), was the key to making this topic easy to understand. In this, I have used a myth, to unpack another myth. When gatekeeper readers (parents, teachers, reviewers) explore this more deeply, it makes the book even more powerful. Why do we believe what we are told? (myth: Dinosaurs and humans co-existed, women can do less based on biology, men are stronger than women). False beliefs build world views that are founded on existential errors.

Trying to communicate the complexity of inequality based on gender, was actually rather hard! Just sit any kid down right now, and tell them that based on biology, you are going to decide whether they can or can't do something in their life, despite their dreams. You will get a blank stare, and rightly so.

How did writing this book compare to writing your previous children’s books?

It was rather fun - I loved using stereotypes and humour, and watching the illustrator build out the world we were creating together was so enjoyable! Every book is a brilliant journey... and EK Books is truly a divine publisher to work with, so that also contributed to the wonderful journey.

What do you hope your readers will take away from When Grandma Burnt Her Bra?

A thirst to understand the role that prior generations have played, in their current reality. We need to appreciate and critically analyse history, in order to make the best future (by learning from past mistakes, that we don't repeat).

What was it like to work with an illustrator on this story? Were there particular images or experiences that you were excited to see?

Aśka is so brilliant and talented, and I love her approach to illustrating this story. Seeing the cover was a great moment - she nailed it! The rocketship at the end also, was such a great feeling - and Maggie - she appeals to both boys and girls.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

I sure do! I have another feminism related title coming out in 2024/2025, and I am working on some other history related books. Stay tuned!