When I was growing up, I searched the pages of books finding women I admired. Nancy Drew and biographies of famous women were as close as I got. Now the pages of children's literature are filled with stunning portrayals of women range from mythic to everyday.
Feliciana Feydra Le Roux (Little Brown, $14.95; ages 7-10) is the title of a Cajun tall tale by Tynia Thomassie. She is the "teetsie-walla" of her Grandpa Baby's grandchildren, that means "hoooo, he spoiled her rotten." Feliciana protests being left behind when Grandpa Baby and the men-children leave her behind to go off on the bayou alligator hunting. Stubborn Feliciana persists, gets herself in trouble, but takes care of problems herself with the pluck and nerve that is more believable than in most tall tales.
Tony Johnston transforms the famous Russian folk tale of Baba Yaga into a Southwest tale in Alice Nizzy Nazzy (Putnam, $15.95; ages 7-10). Wise Manuela escapes being eaten by the witch who lives in an adobe with roadrunner legs with trickery. Johnston, true to most original elements of the tale, playfully spices it up with references to foods,vegetation, habitat, and animals that characterize the Southwest. Illustrator Tomie dePaola uses a bold South Western palate and detailing that will make Southwest fans giggle. You might have fun beginning literary adventures with your children in comparative literature by sharing two other recent releases; Marianna Mayer's more traditional Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave (Morrow, $16.00) and Patricia Polacco's inventive Babushka Baba Yaga (Philomel, $14.95.
Diane Wolkstein's Esther's Story (Morrow, $15.00; ages 7 and up) brings alive the Biblical heroine celebrated during Purim. The picture storybook is told in Esther's voice through a series of journal entries which begin when she is eleven and describe her journey from girl to a wise queen and courageous queen who saves her people. Realistic Illustrations by Juan Winjngaard show his dedication to research in portrayals of this dark-haired beauty, the lavishness of palace settings, the colors and views chosen to describe the country and he records with care the emotional tones of all the characters in this dramatic story.
Sometimes young girls can learn by seeing a story child work through a difficulty. Jamaica, probably the most realistically- drawn character in children's literature, stars in her fourth adventure in Juanita Havill's Jamaica's Blue Marker (Houghton Mifflin, $13.95; ages 6 and up). As usual, Jamaica has feelings and they aren't pretty. In this story, Jamaica's problems erupt with Russell. She's angry because he doesn't have any markers and she has to share hers. Sitting beside Russell, she criticizes his scribbled drawing and in response he turns his blue marker on her fall tree picture. By the story's end Jamaica's insights crowd away the uglier feelings she has, until she becomes wiser about understanding the feelings of others.
One of the hardest things young children have to learn is how to get along with difficult people. Kathleen Leverich takes a comic approach in her three beginning chapter novels for ages 7-11 which are great for either read-aloud or independent readers. Best Enemies, Best Enemies Again(both Greenwillow, $14.00; Bullseye Books$4.99) and most recently, Best Enemies Forever (Greenwillow, $14.00) star Priscilla Robin, a young heroine who has to face the crazy-making manipulations of classmate, Felicity Doll. The books show her struggles, triumphs, give a realistic picture of the powers of conniving peer children will love to hate! What a great way to let children know that some enemies aren't easy to deal with and resolutions aren't always two-sided.
Two collections for older children will support their understanding of women. Herstory: Women Who Changed the World (Penguin, $19.95; ages 10 and up) covers thousands of years of achievements of women from all different fields of endeavor in one hundred and twenty biographical sketches. From Queen Hatshepsut born in 1486 B.C. to 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner Guatemalan, Rigoberta Menchu, the biographies are broad in scope, clear in writing, and illustrated for further contextual understanding.
Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales and True Tales (Scholastic, $19.95; ages 10 and up) by Virginia Hamilton is a stunning collection made even more spectacular with the poignant illustrations of Leo and Diane Dillon. Hamilton takes children through animal and supernatural tales, biography and legend with a range of telling that is as diverse and powerful as the stories told.
Women's History month brings back my early reading memories. As an adolescent reader, I devoured women's biographies and Nancy Drews. Many women of my generation satisfied their literary hunger in the same way. We were desperate for strong female heroines that didn't exist. Since I was young, biographies and tales about women have grown in number, styles, formats and quality.
Biographies of strong women reach down to younger audiences with the help of Diane Stanley. A solid contributor to children's picture book biographies, Stanley collaborated with her mother, prize-winning suspense novelist, Fay Stanley, on The Last Princess: The Story of Princess Ka'iulani of Hawaii. Princess Ka'iulani was a young princess dedicated to her people, but unable to preserve their rights against foreign missionaries and businessmen. This kind, intelligent woman was born into a fairy tale life, surrounded by adoring family and people. Her mother's death, the homesickness of European education, and the continual frustrations of trying to earn justice for her people wrought shocking changes from which this Hawaiian princess could not recover. Diane Stanley's illustrations recount the lushness of the Hawaiian setting, the grandeur of the late nineteenth century and the majesty of Hawaii's last princess.
(Ages 6 and up; Macmillan, $15.95 ) 0-02-786785-4 Those who are inspired by Stanley's work will also enjoy her Good Queen Bess, an equally enjoyable biography of Queen Elizabeth I, written by Peter Vennema (Macmillan, $14.95)
For parents who want to bring straight-forward simply-written biographies of women to their children, David Adler's series boasts several female figures. The latest to join the series is A Picture Book of Anne Frank. While the material biography of Anne Frank is tempered for a picture book audience, I recommend parents pre-read this book to judge its appropriateness for their children. The Holocaust is such a sensitive subject, that this book may be a very good way to introduce it to older picture book readers. (Ages 5 and up; Holiday House, $14.95) 0-8234-1003-X
Michael Bedard's Emily is a lyrical book that falls somewhere between historical fiction and biography. From the viewpoint of a curious young girl, Bedard's poetic writings are completely true to both his character and the spirit of the eccentric and mysterious Emily Dickinson. Pictures by Barbara Cooney set the historical mood and accent the richness of the period as well as Dickinson's solitude and devotion to the natural world. Bedard brings to his writing the same obvious delight of words and wonder that Dickinson gave to her poetry. (Ages 5 and up; Doubleday, $16.00) 0-385-30697-0Beginning novel readers have been changed by Pleasant Company's four series featuring historical characters. These short novellas unite history, adventure, and the spirited characters of Kirsten, a pioneer girl; Samantha, a young woman living in the Victorian era; Molly, a patriotic World War II child; and character, Felicity, a child of colonial Williamsburg. In addition to filling female, historical needs, Three newest books in the series are Happy Birthday Felicity! (1-56247-031-0-$5.95) Felicity Saves the Day (1-56247-034-5, $5.95) Changes for Felicity 1-56247-037-X) Girls will the Addy, a young girl in the civil war period.
In seven short chapters young adult readers can experience four generations of a compassionate, free-thinking family in The Borning Room by Newberry-medalist Paul Fleischman. This is a personal view of history seen through the eyes of an Ohio farm girl. The focus is on a seldom-used room of her home set aside for birthing and dying . The views of 19th century American history, science, philosophy and religion include everything from runaway slaves to the misuse of chloroform. Paul Fleischman's poetic voice, vision, and characters make this a readable and intriguing historical novel that will involve a young adult reader who might be put off by historical settings. (Ages 11 and up, HarperCollins,$13.95) 0-06-023762-7
Jackie French Koller's The Primrose Way is the story of sixteen year old Rebekah who makes her way from England to join her father in the New World in 1633. Rebekah is independent, intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate and just. Her ability to see beyond Puritanical narrowness and prejudice lead her to friendship and later love with a Pawtucket Indian. Koller reveals much about Native American and Early American language and culture. Her careful research is as obvious as her caring for her character caught in a dilema between social mores and what her heart knows to be true. Ages 12 and up. (HBJ, $15.95) 0-15-256745-3
Strong, brave, compassionate women fill the pages of tales from other cultures and eras. Karen Greenfield's Sister Yessa's Story features a storytelling woman who tells the ancient creation myth of Great Turtle while she gathers pairs of animals en route to her brother. It's not until the very end that we find her brother is Noah! Greenfield book is an unusual and interesting mix of Bible and myth and womanhood that adults will appreciate. The chorusing and animal naming will satisfy children. (Ages 4-8; HarperCollins, $15.00) 0-06-020278
Courage and loyalty shine though the blending of magic and reality in Doreen Rapport's The Journey of Meng. When Meng's scholarly husband is conscripted to help build the Great Wall, Meng worries about his well being until a dream tells her of his impending death. Meng undertakes a heroic journey in which she faces brutal elements of nature and finally the cruel emperor. Her choice to die rather than submit herself to his authority is a decision that brings a tragic ending that necessitates older readers and conversation. There is much to discuss in this short, but powerful book. Ages 6 and up. (Dial, $13.95) 0-8037-0895-5
Rafe Martin retells an Algonquin Cinderella story in The Rough Face Girl. The story tells of a young woman whose hard toil has spoiled her looks. Rough Face Girl has , however,an appreciation of the earth's beauty and kind heart that win her the love of the sought-after Invisible Being. This mysterious spirit ont only sees her inner beauty, but restores her outer beauty and they live happily ever after. David Shannon's paintings are for the most part monochromatic, occasionally they gleam with the glory of the natural world, eloquently highlighting the Algonquin tale. Ages 5 and up. (Putnam, $14.95) 0-399-21859-9
The Samuri's Daughter by Robert San Souci is the retelling of a medieval Japanese legend. Tokoyo, an only child, is schooled by her noble father in the samurai virtues of courage, discipline and endurance. Pushing against the boundaries of female role, Tokoyo faces bandits, ghosts, and an evil sea-demon to rescue her family honor, her father and her kingdom. Ages 4-8 (Dial, $15.00) 0-8037-1135-2
Role reversal and laughter fill two tales. Mighty Mountain and the three strong women by Irene Hedlund tells the tale of a prideful Japanese wrestler who learns that appearances can be decieving when he meets three generations of women who posess superhuman strength. His humility leads him to love and becoming the strongest man in all Japan.
Tony Johnston's The Cowboy and the Black-eyed Pea plays with role reversal and setting changes. The princess and the Pea is put in a Texas setting as the rich, beautiful and intelligent Farethee Well looks for a real cowboy whose sensitivity will make him "sorely troubled by an itty-bitty black-eyed pea beneath his saddle blanket. Besides the fun of fun of setting and role reversal this is one of the best dramatic reads I've ever discovered. Ages 4 and up. (Putnam, $14.95) 0-399-22330-4
The zany talents of writer Robin Tzannes and illustrator Korky Paul combine to bring fun and melodrama to a picture book, Professor Puffendorf's Secret Potions. The professor is a woman who is creative and loving. She shows her affection to the bright friendly lab guinea pig, Chip. The male villan is the lazy, grumbling lab assistant Slag who seems to bear a grudge about working for this famous woman. His wicked deeds lead to laughable results with giggles all along the way. Ages 4-7; Checkerboard Press,$16.95)