MotherTalk Book Tour: The Daring Book for Girls

I didn't take part in the kerfuffle about the Dangerous Book for Boys when it came out, but I couldn't help feel a twinge of "why is it just for boys???" irritation, even though all of the reviews were positively gushing about the books fabulousness. OK, maybe it was more of a serious feminist flare than a twinge. When I looked at the book and couldn't see a single thing in there that girls couldn't do.

However. That was before Andi Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz (both Philly authors so they are my neighbors--holla! OK, I can't believe I just typed that) wrote the amazing, the fantastic, the beautiful, the wondrous, the absolutely fucking perfect The Daring Book for Girls, which I am blessed to be reviewing for MotherTalk.*

Oh, how I love this book. From the sparkly NOT PINK cover (bless you, authors, for that) to the retro-layout (it's very much like the old Girl Scout handbook of my youth, and I am not the first person to note that) to the magnificent content, you must--MUST--plan to purchase this book during your Christmas shopping for any girl on your list.

I knew I was going to love this book when I turned to the section about hiking and the authors not only discussed the basics (animal tracks, how to find a trail head) and poison ivy. They also included a photograph of the plant that works as a natural antidote to poison ivy (jewelweed; it also works wonderfully for stinging nettle burns).

But it's the sections on slumber party games and jump rope rhymes that makes it a book for girls. But it doesn't stop there. There are also math tricks, instruction on how to paddle a canoe, how to build a scooter (like, from wood), how to do a two-fingered whistle (a skill I personally learned in Girl Scouts), and so many more cool things that I wish I were ten again and could do them all. It's just chock-full of awesomeness.

Just reading this book makes me feel happy and relaxed. I find myself picking it up and reading it again and again and discovering new charming sections that I didn't notice previously. I can barely put it down. I can't wait to buy copies for girls I know this Christmas! It's just such an original (OK, so the boy's book was first, WHATever), quirky, cool book. I adore it. Seriously love it. Can you tell?

*I have chosen to not be paid for my review. OK, I don't want to violate my contract with BlogHerAds. Heh. I'm declining the standard gift certificate, and donating my copy of the book to my local library. Just so you know.

Comments

[Candy]

Oh, how awesome. Wish my girl was young enough to enjoy this.

I will say, though, that the Dangerous Book for Boys was equally awesome. And, I think, necessary. Because it was meant to stimulate some interaction between boys and their dads, which I think has changed a lot over the generations. At least in my house. My son and my husband do almost nothing together, and boys just don't get to go running around the neighborhood like they did when I was a kid, learning how to do stuff on their own. Our society is too "locked-doors" to allow them that much freedom. My son loved that book, even though he hasn't really done half of what's in it.

[Moira]

My dad bought The Dangerous Book for Boys for my nephews and I was a little annoyed at the fact that it was aimed towards just boys, because it is such a kick ass book. (although my dad totally would have done everything in there with his 3 girls when we were little)

I am super excited to see the Girl version come out and not be pink, glittery and about how to apply lip gloss. (not that there's anything wrong with that...)

[Libby]

Great review Cec. I had not heard of this book (or the boy one for that matter). Quick question: what is the age of the target audience? Is it appropriate for an 8 and 9 year old or is it more for tweens? Thinking of getting it for my nieces.

[Alexis]

ooohhhh...can't wait to read it. I just put it on hold at the library. It sounds a smidge like a book I had as a tween called the Girls Handbook - although not nearly as cool sounding.

Thanks for the review :)

[emmay]

I can't wait too! Having two daughters, I think we need this here, even if they're to little to do that stuff yet.

[Dawn]

You are just so damned awesome I could spit. LOL. How great of you to be donating your copy (need my address?)
Seriously, that really is awesome and you absolutely have made me want a copy of this book for my daughter....well, for us to share and read together. How's that?
I shall put it on my Amazon* wish list.

[Ally]

Sounds like we have the same perspective on the whole kerfuffle, so yay, glad you like it.

[Janet]

I too felt a little twinge of ***ahem*** jealous when I saw that my sister had received the boy book as a birthday present for her son (I have 3 girls). So I am thrilled to see a girl version! And even more thrilled because Andrea Buchanan is one of the authors - I read her book "Mother Shock" a few years ago and loved it.

But on the other hand, I'm sure I read it, I will then get a twinge of nostalgia for all the things that are no longer relevant to my daughters since they won't be growing up in the USA (no poison ivy here in Australia, I wonder if there's a section on redback spiders...?!).

[Whitney]

LMAO, you said "holla"! Ha ha!!!

Off to check out the book.....

[JuliaKB]

I am not as enamored. I think it's good, but I think there are certainly some big areas that can be improved significantly for second edition. Funny enough, my review day is tomorrow. I am gonna go work on it now. :)

[z]

this librarian says, "love the fact that you're donating your copy of the book to your local library...YOU ROCK!!!"

[Gry]

I also wonder when the time is right to buy it. This is my daughter's second Christmas - it might still be a little too early, no? :D

[Julie]

Makes me wish I had a little girl to buy this for - I may just get it for myself.

Interesting - Amazon has it paired with Dangerous Boys book. I think I just may have to order the two :)

[Jen_nifer]

Glad to hear you are excited about it too. I bought it for my 15 year old sister (hoping to borrow it from her once she's gotten through it once) for Christmas after Moxie's excitement about it.

[SarahD]

Why did I not know this about jewelweed? I should have planted some in my garden. Some plant stung the bejeebus out of my arm a couple of years ago and I still have a scar. Lantana is also a stinger.

Too late now. All I have at my apartment is a half-dead mint plant and a peace lily. Sigh.

[Denise]

I saw this book the other day, but didn't pick it up. Wasn't too sure about it. But after reading your post, I'll definately pick this up for my daughter. Thanks!

PS. I found your blog via a preeclampsia search I was doing. I'm a HELLP survivor. I LOVE your blog!!

[jeanne]

Sorry I'm a couple of days late, but saw this on Forbes.com about the Entourage, thought you might want to see it before you buy your minivan. Not to try and burst your bubble, but I always like to know the pros and cons. If someone has already share this, my apologies for the repetition.

9. Hyundai Entourage
Why it's a turkey: The Entourage, which is almost mechanically identical to the Kia Sedona, is among the IIHS's Top Safety Picks for 2007. Yet there's quite a bit of turkey here too, as the Entourage has a lower rating for predicted reliability--"much worse than average"--than the Sedona and most other minivans and is in ALG's lowest, one-star category for resale value. Only one recall concerned the Entourage for 2007, for a bad brake-light wiring harness on up to 790 vehicles with the available adjustable pedals.

[sheilah]

I remember hearing about the book for boys. I just assumed that the authors were planning on coming out with one for girls as well...a built-in sequel, ya know?

[Melissa in TN]

I just ordered it for my 10 year old niece for Christmas. I had no idea what to get her and then I read that post. It sounds perfect for her. Thanks!!!

[gkk]

Yay! Thanks so much for this review. I NEARLY bought this for my 9yo niece but bought a gift cert instead, may just have to exchange it. One wuestion if I can.. is it too American for international readers? Nothing against Americans, LOVE Americans, just that poison ivy and the Bill of Rights aren't really relevant when you live in Australia.

[Jenn]

Oh yay, thanks so much for this review! I was considering buying the Boys one for my daughter, because I could definitely see her and her dad doing some of those things together when she gets older. Now I think I might have to get both of them!