My Little Brave Girl

January 18, 2021
In actor Duff’s motivational picture book debut, an unnamed narrator emboldens girls to move through their lives with assurance. “The world is big, my little brave girl. It’s all here for you,” Duff begins, continuing in phrases that highlight a promising future filled with ample opportunities. In soft hues, Garrity-Riley portrays an inclusive group of doll-like children collaboratively engaging in work and play. The girls frolic with fireflies under a bright night sky (“The stars are high, and you can reach them”), swim in a busy sea (“Oceans run deep, and you will learn to swim”), and bandage a rabbit’s hurt paw (“Kindness is the way the world goes round”) before dreaming of various professions, including athlete, astronaut, and scientist. Though the positive text showcases a boundless world where being “brave” is almost beside the point, it also offers a clear reminder to spread kindness, dream big, and make the most of one’s future. Ages 3–7.

February 1, 2021

K-Gr 2-This brief, charming book conveys empowering messages addressed to all young daughters beginning to explore the world and learning their own strength of heart. Duff writes with a parental love, teaching the values of kindness and quietly marveling at the compassion and determination of a young white girl with blond hair growing up to become whatever she wishes to be. Though the words of encouragement and advice are general-"Flavors will dance across your tongue, my little brave girl, and you will enjoy the delicious adventure"-they are true to the nature of the book: a simple gift of support to any daughter. The words sit unobtrusively in each scene, but the reader's wandering eye will find them as they take in the graceful illustrations, slowing one's reading to a measured pace that intends for the words to linger, few though they are. The illustrated scenes feature five unnamed girls of different races who play together as close friends or enjoy solitary, everyday activities outdoors and inside their homes. Clean watercolor and colored pencil illustrations of muted pastel colors are softened and warmed by the delicate composition of flowing angles and waving lines that act as contours and texture, even within features of water, grass, and sky. VERDICT A gentle, simple reminder for young girls to dream big as they grow up, this is ideal for parent-child read-alouds, imparting reassurance and pride.-Rachel Mulligan, Pennsylvania State Univ.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2021
Little girls are given encouragement and assurance so they can meet the challenges of life as they move through the big, wide world. Delicately soft watercolor-style art depicts naturalistic scenes with a diverse quintet of little girls portraying potential situations they will encounter, as noted by a narrative heavily dependent on a series of clich�s. "The stars are high, and you can reach them," it promises as three of the girls chase fireflies under a star-filled night sky. "Oceans run deep, and you will learn to swim," it intones as one girl treads water and another leans over the edge of a boat to observe life on the ocean floor. "Your feet will take many steps, my brave little girl. / Let your heart lead the way." Girls gingerly step across a brook before making their way through a meadow. The point of all these nebulous metaphors seems to be to inculcate in girls the independence, strength, and confidence they'll need to succeed in their pursuits. Trying new things, such as foods, is a "delicious new adventure." Though the quiet, gentle text is filled with uplifting words that parents will intuitively relate to or comprehend, the esoteric messages may be a bit sentimental and ambiguous for kids to understand or even connect to. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.5-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 50% of actual size.) Well-meaning and with a lovely presentation, this sentimental effort may be aimed more at adults than kids. (Picture book. 6-8)

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