What Are Little Girls Made Of?: Nursery Rhymes to Empower Young Feminists by Isabelle Follath, Jeanne Willis
Published by Nosy Crow on February 4, 2021
ISBN: 1536217336
Pages: 32
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

This nonfiction picture book for readers in grades 2-4 reimages some popular nursery rhymes from a feminist and non-gender affirming point of view.   Girls are made of “sun and rain and heart and brain” and boys much the same.  Little Jade Horner is found in her striped pajamas creating spaceships to send her teddies to Mars.  Georgie Porgie is sent on his way after being told by the girl “don’t kiss me unless I say!”  Little Miss Muffet enjoys ham and eggs and pets the spider’s furry legs when he joins her.  Some of the rhymes may not be as familiar and some of the song cadences may be changed slightly with the re-imagined version, but they all work for a new generation.  The final rhyme entitled “Girls and Boys, Come out to play” support play that doesn’t conformed to gender stereotypes.  The layout provides one and two rhymes per two-page spread with mix media illustrations featuring muted pinks and greys.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library