Children's Literature

One of the things that I have realized is important over the last few months while I've been reading and thinking about the childhood development of girls is that there is a definite need to provide our female children with empowering and worthwhile literature that teaches them to believe in their own power and abilities as women rather than simply casting them as the "damsel in distress." While I was visiting with the Shakespeare & Company Bookshop writing group in Paris, France over Christmas break one of the other writers suggested to me to pick up a book his sister had written because it was a collection of stories from around the world that featured strong female heroines. I don't have the title with me right now, but as soon as I get into that section of my notes, I will make sure to post it. I have been looking to find it at the library or somewhere else accessible and hopefully will read it soon. Tonight while I was visiting with a friend I came across a book she had titled Booty: Girl Pirates on the High Seas by Sara Lorimer. I was really moved to read through it because it struck me as the perfect book for young women. It is about pirates-- a group of exceeding interest to and often of great reverence for young kids, who we generally only have male examples of. To introduce to young girls the female version of these off-color heroes is to entitle them to believe that they are capable of kicking ass, taking names, and being in charge. I will look over it and get back to you.