BLOG TOUR: The Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J Buchanan & Miriam Peskowitz
Not too long ago I reviewed The Dangerous Book For Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden (in fact if you are curious, that review is here). And this is its sister book, sorta. It's The Daring Book for Girls by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz. And in fact, both of these women are behind my favorite place on the web MotherTalk. Not only have Andrea and Miriam allowed me through MotherTalk review many of the books you read about here, but well, then insisted that this book get created for girls. Mostly because of the out-pouring of comments on The Dangerous Book for Boys tour from women wanting the same sort of book for their daughters. And now being a mom to a girl too--well, I couldn't agree more!In that first review, I told a long-winded memory about all the things I had learned from my Dad--a man who never had a son. He taught me so many things--how to tell the age of a tree. How to fish for Brooke Trout, Salmon, Pike, and Walleye. We also stared for hours at the various cloud formations, learned to tell the difference between types of trees by their leaves and bark. Followed animal droppings on trails in the forest on camping trips. Learned how to throw free throws, throw a baseball, plant and care for apple trees. And not to mention tricks about math. Which leads very nicely into The Daring Book for Girls. You see, leafing through this book, I became that 8 year old girl again. Remembering. Feeling. Creating. It was a fantastic trip down memory lane. I remembered things I thought I'd long forgotten.
There's palm reading (come on! who didn't want to know the future of your life?), Chinese jump rope (Mississippi anyone?), playing cards (I was a Hearts fan myself), Sleep out details, Ghost stories, Light as a Feather, Thick as a Board (did I get that right?), Campfire stuff (songs, building fires, hiking), God's Eyes, Canoeing trips, Tree climbing, roller skating, friendship bracelets. And boys. Who could forget boys! (well, that is not true, there are quite a few boys I could do with forgetting, but you get the idea. As much as they were a mystery then, they are now!). Oh, and I can't forget changing a flat tire and Math Tricks (thanks Dad! I learned both of those from you!). Or, my favorite chapter in the whole book: Books That Will Change Your Life.
The girl classics have some of my favorites of all time: A Wrinkle in Time, Anne of Green Gables, Charlotte's Web, Harriet the Spy, Little Women, Matilda and Ramona. Oh, how I loved escaping my world into those stories. But it gets better--the chapter goes further to indulge me into even more memories of books and places I'd imagined I'd be-- ESPECIALLY Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.
I had almost every book in both series. My family were avid garage salers. Not only did we have 1 - 2 garage sales every year while growing up, we ventured out on weekends to find others. And this is where my love affair with books began--since I was able to purchase almost every book I got my hands on. They were 25 cents-- and well, my mom never said no to a good book. So I started collecting.
I remember my collections so well--I just wish, years later I hadn't sold them myself. The bottom 4 shelves of our rec room in my parents home were filled with Trixie and Nancy. And not only did I have them all, but in hardcover. Can you imagine? And I read them all. More than once. And most of the time, during my 4 week camping trips in the summer. I was the girl with my head in book on the beach. Or on the picnic bench. That is, when I wasn't riding my bike through the campground. Of fishing, swimming, or hiking.
This section of the book almost had me in tears. Each of these books--24 years later--still hold a very special place in my heart. So much so, I'm off to re-read them. To find the simple joys that brought me to them in the first place. In fact, it will be my personal gift for my daughter, her very first library (well once she hits about 8 years old). I can't wait for her to find herself in all of these books like I did (and don't you worry--my son who will be 5 in 2 weeks. I'm thinking there are a handful of books he might like too in a few years. What do you think?). And I want to share with both my children my love of books. What better way than to start with some classics.
Anyway, please check out this book. If not for a trip down memory lane, but to pick up some new tricks of the trade that don't rely on electronic gadgets and text messaging (yes, I am a self-confessed gadget geek, but we all need a little down time).
If my blabbering didn't entice you, maybe the official blurb will:
For every girl with an independent spirit, here is the guide to everything from school yard games to great women in history! The Daring Book for Girls is the essential manual for everything that girls need to know—and that doesn't mean sewing buttonholes! Whether readers consider themselves girly-girls, brainiacs, athletes, or a little bit of everything, this book is the girl's invitation to 21st century adventure.Please--really--take a look at all these spots on the web. They are absolutely stunning. And fun. And so true to the Daring Girls' book, that you just can't miss them:
- Official Daring Book for Girls Website
- The official Daring Girls Blog where other fun tidbits are shared
- Daring Girl Extras! These include information about the badges (and downloadable forms), Passports to Adventures, information about the Daring Girl Anthem... just check it out!
- The Daring Girl Video
- The Today Show interview
- Andrea Buchanan's official web site
- Miriam Peskowitz's official web site
- Alexis Seabrook (the illustrator's) official web site
And, oh, I won't forget, the Amazon link to buy the book here. Please buy it. For Daring Girls Everywhere!
* This post is brought to you by MotherTalk. I get free books, write a review, and then receive a small gift certificate for the gesture.
Labels: blog tour, books, children's books, MotherTalk, reviews
