An eight-year-old girl has scored a victory for gender equality after a publisher stopped marketing books “for boys” and “for girls” following a petition she launched at her school.

Els, who wants to be a palaeontologist when she grows up, was annoyed to find an exciting looking pirate book labelled “for boys” in the catalogue advertising a Scholastic book fair to be held at her school in north London. After her mother Leone, 35, told her to “stop griping and do something”, she set up a petition to send to the firm that was signed by 80 of her friends and teachers at Bounds Green School.

Scholastic has now removed the “boys” and “girls” sections on its online Book Wizard which had previously limited questions about sport to boys and those about animals to girls. It has pledged to no longer publish books that declare they are for a particular gender in the title.

Els, whose parents don’t want her last name published, said: “Girls may not like things that are labelled ‘for girls’, they might want a monster book labelled ‘for boys’. Books should be for everyone and we all like different things. If you tell a girl she could not have one of the books she likes, when she grows up she might feel lonely because she thinks that all the other girls like pretty, pink princesses and she doesn’t.

“Scholastic come to my school and everyone’s very excited – they spend lots of money, and so I think Scholastic should be more responsible. I don’t want my friends to grow up being sad and lonely because they think they are different. They should be happy because we are all different and different is the best.”

Leone, an admin worker, said she is “immensely proud” of her daughter, and pleased that she has been able to learn that “speaking up for things you are unhappy about can bring about change”.

World Book Day: Your costumes Show all 59 1 /59 World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Erin, age 6, is Edna from The Incredibles. 'The Incredibles is mum's favourite film and Erin doesn't like dressing up as princesses!' World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Oak, 8, is Pod from The Borrowers. 'He chose Pod because he's the ultimate recycler,' mum says World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Mabel, 5, dressed as Elizabeth from The Paper Bag Princess. 'She chose it and loves that Elizabeth is smart and independent,' she says World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Johnny, 8, as Wimpy Kid with Harry, 6, as Mr toad from Wind in the Willows World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Heath, 6, is 'It' from Five Children & It. 'He chose It because he loves the idea of granting wishes to people today,' mum says World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Isabelle, aged 7, loves Roald Dahl's The Twits, especially Mrs Twit, and thought it would work with the gap in her teeth. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Holly (the cavalier), 7, dressed as Peter Pan. 'Reason I chose this book: I still act like a puppy, just like Peter Pan, plus he can fly! Oh, and I got a biscuit for doing this,' he says World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Roy Apps' The Headless Teacher tales inspired Sasha's (aged 9) costume World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Cameron, aged 11, dressed as Peter Pan's shadow. 'He thought it was a different character to choose,' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Thomas Masterson, age 8, as Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. 'I love the epic adventures and amazing mythical creatures,' he says World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Someone dressed up as Tubby Tin by Georgie Adams World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day This little one dressed up as Rosie Revere, Engineer World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Goth Girl (Olivia, 8) and Fantastic Mr Fox (Kate, 6) 'Riddell and Dahl are two of their favourite authors,' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Louis, 5, dressed up as Hairy Maclary and barked all the way to school, says mum. His dog is Hairy's doppelgänger World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day William aged 10 (year 6) dressed as Dennis from David Walliams' The Boy in the Dress World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Ethan, 5, as Elliott from E.T 'His nickname is E.T, he adores the book, the film, and his E.T teddy!' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Millie, 7, from Cinderford, Forest of Dean as Cruella devil from 101 Dalmatians World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Herbie, aged 5, dressed as the Cat in the Hat for World Book Day at his school in Stonnall, Lichfield. Costume made by mummy and nanny World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Aadi, 5, has loved the book Billy The Bus since he was 3! This is his costume today. Made mostly alone too. He's very proud, says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Ellwood (left) and Archie (right) as Lion and snake from Dear Zoo World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Malachi aged 6 dressed as Paddington Bear. 'He loves Paddington and also enjoys a Marmalade sandwich,' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day 'Mia went to book day dressed as Paddington bear complete with marmalade sandwich in her suitcase. She got completely into character and only answered to Paddington all morning,' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Ffion, 9, and Iwan, 7, dressed as The Trunchbull ( from Matilda ) and Mr Tickle. 'Matilda is one of Ffion's favourite books and she's read it several times. Iwan's always loved Mr Men books and Mr Tickle is his favourite , very apt as he's the most ticklish person I know!' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Keira, age 5, in Dubai, dressed as Pocahontas. 'She loves the story and dressing up,' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Esther, age 7, dressed as Miss Honey from Matilda. 'She had to choose a Roald Dahl character, and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up!!' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Jem Simpson, from Suffolk, as Tom from Beast Quest World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Emilia, age 10, is dressed as Anne from Anne of Green Gables. 'She had to choose a character from a classic children's book. She likes Anne because she's a nice person and she has red hair!' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Molly McAuley Jones, age 9, dressed as Miss Root from Demon Dentist. 'Molly never stops reading and her favourite author is David Walliams,' says mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Luca Newman, age 13, as Boggis from Fantastic Mr Fox. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Harriet, age 5, from Neath South Wales, is dressed as the unicorn from Sugar Lump and the Unicorn by Julia Donaldson which is her 'favourite book' World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Andrew, age 5, as Lightning McQueen from Cars World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Lily, 9, dressed as Greg from diary of a wimpy kid. 'We made the head from paper mache! Lily loves the collection of Wimpy Kid books and we had a blast making it,' says her mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Brooke Murray, aged 6, dressed as Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. 'The beanstalk was homemade. It's her most favourite book and i think she makes a pretty good Jack!' says her mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day This little one, 7, decided to go as an Umpa Lumpa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Joshua, 5, is Mr Gum from Andy Stanton's series, which starts with 'You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum'. 'Joshua reads Friday O'Leary's parts in a funny voice. He likes the books because they are funny and the characters are really good. He made the costume himself and got ready by himself at 6am this morning,' says his mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Arely, 7, is Mr Centipede from 'James and the Giant Peach'. 'She reads a lot and says 'This is my favourite book ever and the centipede is my favourite character. He's so funny,'' reveals her mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Lauren Martin, age 9, is Gangsta Granny from David Walliams' book World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Ashton, 4, dressed up as the Gruffalo. He chose this character as he loves the book, says his mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Leila decided on Juliet from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' because she loves the story, says her mum World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Ben, age 7, went as Robin Hood. 'He picked it because he's doing a robin hood play,' his sister says. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Ryan, 10, is Billionaire Boy. 'He had a hard time finding a book to engage him in, finally found the David Walliams book about money!' says mum. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Jesper's Beanstalk & Here Come the Dinosaurs. Rory, 6, loves the Stomp chomp big roars book, it's his favourite. Evie, 4, wanted to be a cat, that's her favourite cat story, says their dad. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Josh aged 7 dressed as Harry Potter. 'He started by listening to me reading before bed then started reading himself to me during mum and son time,' his mum reveals. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Finley aged 3 as the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz. 'He chose to be this and it's his favourite book and film,' his mum says. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Freya, age 2, as The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 'She insists on reading this book every single night before bed,' says her mum. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Tilly age 4 as Keith the Cat with the Magic Hat, because 'I love this book, it makes me laugh' World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Stan went as a Dementor so he can 'feast on all the Harry Potters and Hermiones' World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Natasha, 5, dressed as Matilda by Roald Dahl. 'She chose Matilda because she loves reading,' her dad says. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Siblings Lauren, 7, (Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books) and Ethan, 4, (Peter Pan), leaving for school this morning World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Madalena, 10, Mia, 7 and Marisa, 5 attended school today as the Boy in the Dress (by David Walliams), Paddington Bear and Hermione Granger World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day George, 3, is dressed as a character from Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Natasha, aged 5, from Bury, Greater Manchester decided to dress as Mary Poppins. 'A love of the film has led to a love of the book, we've been reading it as a bedtime story,' says her mum. World Book Day: Your costumes The Boy In the Dress Nathan,11, dressed up as the main character in David Walliams' debut novel which follows a 12-year-old named Dennis who cross-dresses. 'He's in his last year at primary and he wanted to do something unusual to show off his personality!,' says his mum. World Book Day: Your costumes World Book Day Splat the Cat visited the West De Pere School district for World Book Day World Book Day: Your costumes Slinky Malinki Emilia, 4, dressed up as Slinky Malinki from Hairy Maclary author Lynley Dodd's stories. 'She chose this book as it's a bedtime favourite and we're both crazy cat ladies. Also because I vetoed anything that would involve her wearing a flammable Disney princess dress,' her mum says. World Book Day: Your costumes The Pirate Cruncher Seth, 5, donned a hat and parrot to become a pirate from The Pirate Cruncher. 'He chose this costume because he LOVES the book, but also because he enjoys doing a 'piratey' accent all day at people,' says Seth's mum. World Book Day: Your costumes Gangsta Granny Maddie, 10, dressed up as Gangsta Granny because David Walliams is her favourite author. World Book Day: Your costumes The Mad Hatter Mary, 40ish, Library Assistant at Comber Library, decided to dress up as Alice In Wonderland's tea-swilling Mad Hatter. 'I wanted to go as Alice but I got outvoted,' she reveals.

“Els’s petition came from the right place in her heart and she was only ever concerned with letting Scholastic hear her,” she said. “Her friends have taken up her cause brilliantly and are constantly finding examples of sexism to tell Els about. Many are considering petitions for every issue in their lives – one girl is entertaining the idea that she can petition the teachers to not ‘be so mean’!”

Jess Day, from the Let Toys Be Toys campaign, set up by parents fed up with toys and books being marketed along gender lines, contacted Scholastic earlier in the week to tell them about the petition. She said it was “great news” Scholastic had agreed to changes. “It’s simply not on to tell children boys and girls are meant to like different things,” she said.

In a statement, Scholastic said the pirate book for boys, from another publisher, would not be featured again, and added that their website is being relaunched. “We are no longer publishing anything new pitched ‘for boys’ or ‘for girls’ in the title,” the statement said. “Any historic titles still in the market will be reissued with new covers on reprint. We appreciate that every child is different and has the right to choose the books that are right for them.”