We are happy to launch our Bimonthly theme this March and April: Girl Power and Women’s Wiles. We have chosen this theme primarily because March is Women’s Month. We are excited to feature books that showcase the power of girls and women: as seen through their laughter and quirkiness, their warmth and quiet courage, compassion and caring that know no bounds.
What’s even more awesome is the fact that the entire kidlit community is likewise celebrating Women’s History Month. Click here to be taken to the announcement post of Shelf-Employed about this lovely event that’s ongoing this March.
And as we have been doing the past bimonthly themes, we are launching it alongside our weekly contribution to In My Mailbox a Sunday meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. Here are some of the books that I managed to borrow from our library which I feel is perfect for our bimonthly theme.
Hand-picked from the Community Library
Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat: Ella Fitzgerald written by Roxane Orgill and illustrated by a special favorite of ours here in GatheringBooks, Sean Qualls – I believe is a wonderful contribution to Nonfiction Monday and is in keeping with our theme. We hope to discover more picture book biographies of eminent women in their various fields and disciplines – those who have changed the face of their chosen domain or areas of talent. We are open to any suggestions that you might have. Crow Call by Lois Lowry and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline is one book that I’ve been meaning to find for the longest time. It came as a lovely surprise to note that this was actually based upon a singular episode in Lois’ own life, also a possible contribution to Nonfiction Monday.
Speaking of non-fiction picture books, Me… Jane has reaped a number of awards this year – written and illustrated by Patrick Mc Donnell. This is based on Jane Goodall’s life. Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated as written by Florence Parry Heide and Illustrated by Lane Smith strikes me as a mighty allegorical tale – and speaks volumes about women, girls, feminism, etc. Just you wait for my review on this one. 🙂
The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier and illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer is a book that has been featured here in GatheringBooks – but I have not had a chance to read through it yet, and as intrigued as I was by Fats’ review, I knew I had to borrow it from the library and read the book for myself. I didn’t realize it was so huge! Brave Irene by William Steig is a lovely picture book that speaks of a little girl’s strength of character, talk about girl power indeed!
Maudie and Bear by Jan Ormerod and Freya Blackwood apparently is also an Australian Award-winning book. Ormerod is another favorite of ours here in GatheringBooks especially as I have done a 2-in-1 review of her books Sunlight and Moonshine. Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol has also been receiving so much buzz since last year, I thought might as well borrow it to find out for myself what makes this book special. While this would have fit in nicely with our paranormal theme, the self-image issues of Anya and her navigating her way around high school as a teenage girl would make for a better discussion for our Girl Power and Women’s Wiles theme, I thought.
More books from the NIE Library
I went on a book-borrowing frenzy. This is like a tradition of sorts as we begin our bimonthly themes. I’ve been hearing so much about Tomie De Paola’s Strega Nona, I knew I had to feature it for our theme. There are also a great number of strong females as portrayed in Tomie De Paola’s Big Book of Favorite Legends.
The Paper Princess by Elisa Kleven and Miss Rumphius with story and pictures by Barbara Cooney would also be wonderful for our theme.
While I am a tad realistic about what I can manage to read, I always feel that good intentions should count for something. I am hoping that I will find the time to read Patricia C. Wrede’s Dealing with Dragons and Philip Pullman’s The Firework-Maker’s Daughter – Winner of the Gold Smarties Prize Award – good addition as well to our Award-Winning-Books (AWB) Reading Challenge (do sign up if you haven’t joined us yet).
Mama’s Saris by Pooja Makhijani with illustrations by Elena Gomez, I believe, capture that bond between mother and daughter through swirls of clothes and colors. Couldn’t wait to feature this one. Betsy Hearney’s Seven Brave Women as illustrated by Bethanne Andersen is also a shoo-in for our theme.
Ever since we featured Emily Arnold McCully’s The Banshee, I knew I had to find more of her books. It appears that she has written quite a number of picture books that fit beautifully with our theme: Mirette on the High Wire, a Caldecott Medalist, The Orphan Singer and Beautiful Warrior: The Legend of the Nun’s Kung Fu.
David Small and Sarah Stewart have also written a number of books that feature female protagonists, and I am excited to get to know their tandem more through our theme as seen in: The Friend, The Gardener, The Journey, and Imogene’s Antlers.
Gathering Books 
Like this series already — you have some great selections. Too bad I already reviewed Sojourner Truth. A feminist in the 1850s. Have read just a few of your selections, so look forward t your month. I do have a book I took out from the library that is about a very strong woman, I’ll be reviewing. What about Pippi Longstocing — my favorite girl hero as a child. Will think about this.
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Hi Pat, I will definitely borrow Sojourner’s Truth from the library and include this in our selection. 🙂 Thanks, Pat. I do have a copy of Pippi Longstocking waiting to be read in my bookshelves, I shall find the time to feature that as well. 🙂
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Just ran across another historical fiction or nonfiction book today on Mother Reader. Today’s the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. They Featured a PB on Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts. Written by Shannon Corey, Scholastic 2012. Didn’t know if this would interest you.
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Hi Patricia, I just saw that too! In fact I’ve seen around three reviews of that book recently! I will definitely check that out, although if it’s only been recently published, I have a feeling we dont have that here yet in Singapore.
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Girl Power and Women’s Wiles looks like a great theme. Cute button too! I enjoyed Anya’s Ghost a lot. Loved the illustrations and the characters. Princess Hyacinth looks awesome too.
Happy reading!
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Hi Lucy! Daughter finished Anya’s Ghost in a day! Looking forward to reading it too. 🙂
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Go girls. The PB biography I reviewed on Friday about Coco Chanel totally fits this theme. I guess Olivia, the pig, would be a big choice of mine!
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Hi Joanna, will definitely check your post out. We’re thinking of joining Perfect Picture Book Friday too – but it will fall on a Saturday, our time, so we still get to do our Poetry Friday as always. 🙂
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Thanks so much for the book list again, Myra. I just read Me, Jane last week & loved it, plus my newest granddaughter’s name is Imogene so we knew about Imogene’s Antlers. She will love it when she’s older. Great books this time.
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Hi Linda, I loved Me, Jane too. I have drafted a review of that one for Nonfiction Monday. And what a beautiful name, Imogene! Reminds me of Iphigene too! I am pretty excited for this theme, truth be told. 🙂
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Wow, that’s an amazing number of books, and I’m really tempted to pick up some picture book now too.
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Hi! Thanks for dropping by. Picture books are awesome. I just read around five yesterday.
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That’s a great idea as a theme (: And great selections!
Celine ~ Nyx Book Reviews
My IMM
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Hi Celine, nice to see you again! Thanks. I am excited for this bimonthly theme. Long overdue.
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Great theme…and you picked some really good books for it. Miss Rumphius is my absolute favorite book. My dad gave it to me for my high school graduation 20 years ago and I still love to pick it up and read it.
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Hi Kristin, I haven’t had a chance to read Miss Rhumpius yet, now I am excited to read it. Thanks for dropping by!
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So many fantastic books that I would love to share with my little one! Thank you so much for sharing these fantastic titles! Happy reading 🙂
MaryAnn
Chapter by Chapter
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Hi Mary Ann, it’s my pleasure. 🙂
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Anya’s ghost is fabulous! But also kind of creepy. 😉 Enjoy your books!
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Hi Meredith, my daughter loved Anya’s Ghost! 🙂 I hope to find the time to read it soon.
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Lots of great books in your mailbox! I hope you enjoy them!
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Hi Christy, I’m sure I will! Thanks for dropping by!
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Awesome books this week!! They sound awesome 🙂
Happy reading and thanks for stopping by!!
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Hi Sarah, thank you for visiting as well.
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Wow so many great books! I read Anya’s Ghost and really liked it. Thanks for stopping by!
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Hi Amy, I’ve read so many rave reviews about Anya’s Ghost, I should get around to reading it soon. My ten year old daughter enjoyed it too.
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Hi! All those books look awesome and I love the idea of the theme. I hope you enjoy them,
Shaheen @ Speculating on SpecFic
My IMM
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Hi Shaheen, yup, I’m excited about the theme as well. Looking forward to reading these lovelies.
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Imogene’s Antlers is a great read! Strega Noga a classic! Lovely picks!
MY IMM
http://pnrurbanfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/
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Thanks for dropping by Silverlight. My daughter has told me about their librarian reading Strega Nona to them, so I’m sure it must be really good. Haven’t started reading Imogene’s Antlers yet, looking forward to it.
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Great mailbox. Thanks for stopping by!
Amber @ Fall Into Books
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Hi Amber, thank you for visiting as well.
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The Secret Lives of Princesses and Anya’s Ghost – I LOVE the covers and they sound really good. I think I might have read Dealing with Dragons when I was younger.. it sounds really familiar!
I hope you love all of them 😀 Thanks for dropping by my blog 😀
April @ My Shelf Confessions
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Hi April, you should really check out The Secret Lives of Princesses. Dealing with Dragons also looks mighty promising. 🙂
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Oh, great mailbox 😀 Lots of interesting looking books 😉 I hope you enjoy them all 🙂
Thank you for commenting on my mailbox. ❤ Psst, about Game of Thrones; I watched the whole season in one day 😀 Finished in 11 hours ;p I have all the books; but haven't had a chance to read them yet ;p You really should get them all 😀 Think they will be amazing 🙂
Love, Carina @ Carina’s Books
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Hi Carina, it took all I had not to visit our local bookstores here to purchase all the books in the series. I shall try to be patient though. 🙂 I have a feeling that the books would be even more riveting than the actual adaptation itself.
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Fantastic book choices!!
♥Melissa
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Thanks Melissa! 🙂
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Great fun! Love Strega Nona, and have heard great things about Anya’s Ghost. Happy Reading. Thanks for visiting!
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Hi Annette, thank you for dropping by as well.
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