Forget the helpless damsels in distress: today’s girls want female heroes they can look up to in their books. Here are some great picks for girls seeking females they can look up to in their reading material—and some of them are currently being offered at bargain prices, too!
The Paper Bag Princess (4.5/5 stars, ages 4 and up, currently priced at $1.89)
Elizabeth, a beautiful princess, lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. Just when she is about to marry Prince Ronald, a dragon smashes her castle, burns her clothes with his fiery breath, and prince-naps her dear Ronald. Undaunted and presumably unclad, she dons a large paper bag and sets off to find the dragon and her cherished prince. Once she’s tracked down the rascally reptile, she flatters him into performing all sorts of dragonly stunts that eventually exhaust him, allowing her to rescue Prince Ronald.
But what does Prince Not-So-Charming say when he sees her? “You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag. Come back when you are dressed like a real princess.” (At least he has the courtesy not to mention that the princess’s crown resembles a dying sea anemone.) In any case, let’s just say that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Ronald do not, under any circumstances, live happily ever after. Canadian author Robert Munsch celebrates feisty females everywhere with this popular favorite, and Michael Martchenko’s scratchy, comical, pen-and-ink drawings capture the tongue-in-cheek quality of this read-aloud crowd pleaser. (Ages 4 to 8) —Karin Snelson
Brave Junior Novelization (4.5/5 stars, no age recommendation given by the publisher, currently priced at $3.82)
One Amazon reviewer says:
Fairly accurate rendition of the movie, and I like how they tried to write the words as they should be pronounced. This would be a good bedtime story to read a chapter to your little one each nite before bedtime.
My Name Is Not Isabella (5/5 stars, ages 4 and up, currently priced at $1.99)
Isabella’s [heroes] include U.S. Astronaut Sally Ride, activist Rosa Parks, and sharpshooter Annie Oakley—but there’s no bigger hero than Isabella’s own mommy!
Join Isabella on an adventure of discovery—and find out how imagining to be these extraordinary women teaches her the importance of being her extraordinary self.
A rollicking read-aloud and terrific “read-to-myself” story, My Name Is Not Isabella is capturing hearts and awards, including:
Silver ForeWord Book of the Year Award for Picture Books
Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Award
Gold Independent Publisher Book Award
Amelia Bloomer List
Ninja Red Riding Hood (5/5 stars, ages 3 and up, currently priced at $10.99)
Companion to the hit The Three Ninja Pigs, this fractured fairy tale is a sure-fire storytime hit.
Wolf just can’t catch a break! Ever since the three little pigs started teaching everyone Ninja skills, huffing and puffing just hasn’t been enough to scare up a good meal.
His craving for meat sends Wolf to classes at the dojo, and soon he’s ready to try out his new moves. A little girl and her tiny granny should be easy targets—right?
Not if Little Red has anything to say about it! Kiya!
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