“Prince Ronald said, ‘Elizabeth, your hair is all dirty. You are wearing an ugly paper bag. You don’t have any shoes on and you smell like a dragon’s ear. Come back and rescue me when you’re dressed like a real princess.’
Elizabeth said, ‘Ronald, your hair is all nice. Your clothes are all pretty. You look like a nice guy, but guess what? You are a bum.’
They didn’t get married after all.”
-- from THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS by Robert Munsch (1980)
“Girls are ASTRONAUTS.
They rocket into space and make amazing discoveries about our universe.”
“Girls are CREATORS.
They draw and paint. They invent stories about wizards and aliens and superheroes.”
“Girls are BUSINESS OWNERS.
They have stellar ideas, lead huge teams of workers, and run amazing companies.”
Mom grew up during the Great Depression. She did well in school, worked her way through business school, and had a career. Then she married Dad and, after her youngest entered first grade, returned to work and became a successful entrepreneur.
Dad was louder, but Mom was smarter. This early lesson has served me well. I grew up presuming that women could do anything, as long as they could overcome loud, ignorant men and whatever antiquated laws and customs got in the way.
Now I have a little granddaughter, and I want to make sure that being a girl never gets in the way of her pursuing her dreams. IT’S A GIRL THING! is a great introduction to the notion that girls can do anything.
There are a total of eighteen two-page “Girls are…” spreads in IT’S A GIRL THING! They depict girls as athletes, adventurers, scientists, gamers, firefighters, judges, and business owners.
Pri Ferarri illustrates girls riding dragons and motorcycles, checking architectural plans, and readying to operate on a patient. The illustrations feature a diverse, multicultural cast and are each set on a white background, putting the focus on the girls and the limitless number of endeavours in which they engage.
IT’S A GIRL THING! is lively and fun. It will positively influence young girls AND young boys. It’s is a perfect read-aloud for pre-Ks and kindergarteners.
48 pages 978-1-63592-124-3 Ages 5-9
Recommended by: Richie Partington, MLIS, California USA
See more of Richie's Picks https://richiespicks.pbworks.
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This defiant, wall breaking, empowering picture book comes to the world from Brazil. With each turn of the page a girl claims her place in the world. She can be anything she decides to be because she is strong and smart and well...just because a girl can.
The range of ways to see a girl runs from pilot to chemist to queen. There's a place for every girl whether she's a scientist, an animal lover, a politician.... she can figure herself out and then go do it.
48 pages 978-1635921243 Ages 4-8
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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What do girls like to do? What can they be? This fun and inspiring book answers those questions and stands as a reminder to girls that they are strong and capable. Illustrated with adorable spot art that contains just a dash of whimsy, the diverse group of girls showcased throughout is sure to inspire the next generation of rule-makers and rule-breakers.--from the publisher
