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HAVING A GRUFF DAY

Debenhams slammed for ‘sexist’ pink Gruffalo pyjamas for girls – but do you agree?

The high street retailer is selling two different sets of the nightwear - one is pink and 'friendly' while the boys' blue pair is more in-keeping with the book

DEBENHAMS has come under fire for its "sexist" Gruffalo pyjamas.

The high street department store is selling two different sets of the nightwear, both of which feature characters from the beloved children's books by Julia Donaldson.

 The girls' pink Gruffalo print pyjama set from Debenhams has provoked accusations of sexism
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The girls' pink Gruffalo print pyjama set from Debenhams has provoked accusations of sexismCredit: Debenhams

But while remains in-keeping with the book's style and storyline, featuring the character stalking a mouse in the "deep dark wood", parents claim , which is pink and "friendly", is patronising and sexist.

Writing on the  Facebook page, angry mums and dads ranted that the £15-£17 pink PJs pander to the outdated stereotype that girls are more sensitive and easily scared than boys.

A post on the page featuring pictures of the two sets read: "Debenhams - the official page have rewritten #TheGruffalo just for girls (sic)!

"Spot the difference... 'All girls will love and know the friendly face of the Gruffalo!' Boys: These pyjamas are a must have for a little Gruffalo fan. #notbuyingit #everydaysexism #PatronisingtotheMAX."

Commenting on the post, one mum wrote: "Whoops, I accidentally bought my daughter the boys' version of the Gruffalo, where he's scary, instead of the girls version where they all link arms and have a picnic together."

Another asked: "The Gruffalo isn't friendly. Why do they feel the need to make him look kind and gentle and aim it at girls? They are changing the story and it's not what little girls or boys want."

 Many parents reckon the boys' pyjama set better reflects the character and the style of the book
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Many parents reckon the boys' pyjama set better reflects the character and the style of the bookCredit: Debenhams
 Angry parents posted on the Let Clothes Be Clothes Facebook group
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Angry parents posted on the Let Clothes Be Clothes Facebook groupCredit: Facebook
 One mum posted a tongue and cheek response after buying the girls' set
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One mum posted a tongue and cheek response after buying the girls' setCredit: Facebook

But some mums didn't see what all the fuss was about, with one commenting: "If they called them 'Blue Gruffalo Pyjamas' and 'Pink Gruffalo Pyjamas' it would be PC gone mad!!"

Another wrote: "Other than the blue one being gendered, the pink design, which is mostly white, looks really good.

"I'm sure if the pink was replaced with yellow or orange it would have been for boys though, but other than that I don't see the problem with the girls' one."

On Sunday we told how Clarks was slammed for "sexism" after calling its girls' shoes Dolly Babe and the boys’ range Leader.

Earlier this month we reported how a boss’s shockingly sexist email response to a female employee’s request for a day off sparked outrage.