For some reason, today I was remembering this story. I remember it quite well, but it never occurred to me that the character in it could be a trans woman, and if she is it's a pretty positive depiction for a 1980s children's story. Sadly I think it's out of print now.
This is a story about Jeremy James (which was a WONDERFUL collection of short stories about a four-year-old boy and his view on life – the author captured the infallible logic of a small child perfectly). If I remember correctly, it was in a collection called 'Do Goldfish Play the Violin?' which according to Wikipedia was released in 1985 (making it an even better depiction if she is intended to be a trans woman).
In the story, Jeremy James is told by his parents that they're having 'a very important lady' come to dinner. When he questions it, his parents confirm that sadly it's not the Queen, but it's a woman called Lilian Da Costa who runs a theatre (seems to be to do with his father's work – his father's a writer, so maybe he's hoping for some kind of grant or commission that she needs to approve). At any rate, they all dress up smart and prepare nice food for this very important guest, who the father describes as 'a battle-axe'.
When Lilian Da Costa arrives, Jeremy James is surprised that she's got a deep voice and seems very masculine. He asks his mum if she's sure the guest isn't a man, the mum is mortified and takes Jeremy James to his room for a bit. Jeremy James says, 'But she looks like a man!' and the mum whispers, 'Yes, I know she does, but you don't get men called Lilian.' Jeremy thinks to himself, confused, 'If she looked like a man and sounded like a man, why wasn't she a man?'
Later, during the dinner, Jeremy asks her, 'Are you really a woman?' The parents are very embarrassed, but Lilian is unfazed and says, 'Yes, Jeremy James, I am really a woman.' Jeremy James says, 'Then why is your voice so deep?' Lilian says, 'Are you a man?' Jeremy James says, 'Nearly.' 'Lilian asks, 'Then why is your voice so high?' Jeremy James says that it will get deeper as he gets older. Lilian says, 'Well, that's just what happened to me.'
Jeremy James' next question is, 'What's a battle-axe?' Lilian finds this question really funny and roars with laughter, before giving the answer, 'A battle-axe is a strong and bossy woman who gets what she wants because she's strong and bossy.' Jeremy James says, 'So do you always get what you want?' Lilian says, 'Yes, always. For example, right now I want you to have more pudding.' The parents immediately serve him more pudding. Lilian says, 'And now I want you to eat it,' and he does, proving that she does indeed always get what she wants. When it's time for her to go, Jeremy James has warmed to her and says he wants her to stay. She says, 'If you were a battle-axe I'd have to, but you're not and I can't.' After she's gone, the parents tell Jeremy James that 'battle-axe is a rather rude word and some people would be offended by that, but luckily Mrs Da Costa thought it was funny.' No more is said about her looking like a man.
I don't know if the author meant Lilian to be a trans woman, or if she was just gender non-conforming or high in testosterone. I suppose as a reader you can figure that out for yourself. But I do think that's quite a strong depiction of a character like that for a 1980s children's story, especially because she's obviously someone who's very respected and senior in her profession. I think this story could be good for both children and adults – children because it teaches them that not everyone will fit the stereotype of what they expect a man or a woman to look like, and adults because it can give some ideas about kind ways to deal with innocent questions like that from young children. Would be a good one to use, I think.
by georgemillman