Anyone have a recommendation for a picture book, with a girl main character, that's not all princessy and stuff, but also not so far to the "Look! Girls can do anything!" side that it gets preachy? I was thinking One Morning in Maine, but I think that's aimed a little older than what I'm looking for. Blueberries for Sal, which I love the book, just struck me as a bit too gender-essentialist today. (Yes, I'm way over-analyzing a baby gift. This kid will have plenty of pink and princess stuff, but her parents would probably look a bit askance at the Free to Be You and Me type things.)
Now, this would be the perfect time for a swear word.
Kaylee ,'Jaynestown'
Literary Buffistas 3: Don't Parse the Blurb, Dear.
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Hil R. - Oct 12, 2012 4:13:21 pm PDT #19899 of 28370
Sometimes I think I might just move up to Vermont, open a bookstore or a vegan restaurant. Adam Schlesinger, z''l
Pix - Oct 12, 2012 4:14:46 pm PDT #19900 of 28370
The status is NOT quo.
What about The Paper Bag Princess? I guess someone could think it was preachy, but I just love it.
Hil R. - Oct 12, 2012 4:36:23 pm PDT #19901 of 28370
Sometimes I think I might just move up to Vermont, open a bookstore or a vegan restaurant. Adam Schlesinger, z''l
I really wish that Tell Me a Mitzi were still in print. I loved that book, so much.
Jessica - Oct 12, 2012 5:28:07 pm PDT #19902 of 28370
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
I was going to say Paper Bag Princess too. If it's a new-baby gift, though, go with the Knuffle Bunny trilogy. Or an Elephant and Piggie book. (Today I Will Fly or Watch Me Throw The Ball for starters.)
smonster - Oct 12, 2012 5:31:46 pm PDT #19903 of 28370
We won’t stop until everyone is gay.
I really wish that Tell Me a Mitzi were still in print. I loved that book, so much.
OMG, we had that book and read it to pieces (not literally). My mom probably has it stashed away with the rest of our prized baby books. Our first cat was named Mitzi, though I'm not sure there was a connection.
Cass - Oct 12, 2012 7:44:36 pm PDT #19904 of 28370
Bob's learned to live with tragedy, but he knows that this tragedy is one that won't ever leave him or get better.
I'm trying to remember the story of Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls but I really only remember that I loved the name and cover. And wanted the poster when it came out. The floor below me did the design and I coveted. Maybe I still do.
DebetEsse - Oct 12, 2012 7:47:46 pm PDT #19905 of 28370
Woe to the fucking wicked.
Wolves in the Walls is probably not an appropriate baby gift...Blueberry Girl doesn't so much have a story, but is very nice.
Seconding Knuffle Bunny
Aims suggest Fancy Nancy as a possibility, or the Olivia books...
Kat - Oct 13, 2012 2:05:43 am PDT #19906 of 28370
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
The Olivia books are a fave in our house. But for a baby, we loved the Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton.
Kat - Oct 13, 2012 2:05:44 am PDT #19907 of 28370
"I keep to a strict diet of ill-advised enthusiasm and heartfelt regret." Leigh Bardugo
The Olivia books are a fave in our house. But for a baby, we loved the Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton.
flea - Oct 13, 2012 2:43:38 am PDT #19908 of 28370
information libertarian
I like "Katy and the Big Snow." Katy is a bulldozer, and the strongest one (they don't send her out for just little snows). Nothing is made of the fact that she's a female bulldozer; it's just taken for granted.
(Mike Mulligan's steam shovel is also female.)