The Samurai's Daughter

The Samurai's Daughter
by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by‎ Stephen T. Johnson

I was not prepared for the power of this story of a brave young woman, Tokoyo, who embarks on an epic journey to save her father. Robert D. San Souci has a knack for finding fascinating folktales and this is no exception.

The heroine of this story is one of the diving women of Shima, but when her father is exiled to a distant island, she is determined to join him, even though it means she must travel through the mountains and across the ocean.

When she arrives on the island, she is immediately drawn into saving a young maiden from being eaten by a sea serpent. "I am the daughter of a samurai, and duty demands that I help the weak."She uses her diving skills to attack the monster, and after a brave battle she finally kills it and drags its carcass onto the beach.

The Samurai's Daughter (Amazon / Library) earned the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for telling the story of Tokoyo, a fearless daughter of a warrior, who becomes one herself as she performs feats of bravery to protect the innocent. The illustrations by Stephen T. Johnson beautifully capture the imagination, bringing the story to life. Robert D. San Souci's writing is, as always, spellbinding, building excitement while simultaneously educating. This book is an excellent choice for early readers who love tales of adventure, as well as an enjoyable storytime or bedtime book for younger kids.

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Brave Margaret

Brave Margaret: An Irish Adventure
by Robert D. San Souci,‎ illustrated by Sally Wern Comport

Young Margaret has always dreamed of what adventure may lie beyond the horizon as she tends to her cattle on her farm along the sea in western Ireland. So when a handsome prince appears one day asking to buy cattle to feed his ship's crew, she strikes a bargain to sell him all her cattle if he'll agree to take her with him.

No sooner do they depart but a sea serpent attacks the ship, demanding the crew send Margaret overboard to him. Unafraid, Margaret rows out fight the monster, defeating it handily with her ax. Unfortunately, the dying creature's death throes send the ship out to sea and Margaret is a castaway on strange shore where she meets an old woman with a new quest to fight a dragon. When her prince fails, it's up to Margaret to save him, and herself.

Robert D. San Souci's tale revives the old Irish story of Margaret and Simon, with healthy heaping of adventure and bravery, and just enough romance. The illustrations by Sally Wern Comport are vibrant and full of energy. I found myself going back to look at them long after I'd finished the story, captivated by their intensity. It's rare that I'd want to own artwork based on a picture book, but in this case I would love a series showing Margaret showing off her strength and power.

Brave Margaret: An Irish Adventure (Amazon / Library) earned the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for its tale of a brave young woman who pursues her dream and then fights against any foes who try to take it from her. It's a great book for early readers who love stories of adventure and bravery, as well as an excellent storytime choice for younger children.

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Sukey and the Mermaid

Sukey and the Mermaid
by Robert D. San Souci,‎ illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Taking a scrap of a folktale of a young girl living among the sea islands off the coast of South Carolina, Robert D. San Souci crafts a powerful story about a brave young woman and how she finds an escape from a home ruled by her harsh stepfather when she is taken in by a beautiful mermaid

At first, the Mama Jo gives Sukey gold coins to give her family, but after being chased off by Sukey's stepfather, she only returns to carry a sick Sukey down to her home under the water where she would be safe.

For a while Sukey thrives under the sea, but loneliness for human companionship brought her back to the surface, now a grown woman with a treasure chest to afford her some comfort. And a warning from the mermaid to choose the right husband. Of course, Sukey's stepfather ruins things for her, and Sukey must return to the mermaid for one last favor.

Sukey and the Mermaid (Amazon / Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for telling the story of a young woman's adventure and the benevolent water goddess who shows her the power of true love and goodness. The illustrations by Robert Pinkney are stunningly beautiful, capturing the movement of the water and the life in and around it. The story is told in the language even the youngest readers can understand, and because it is so elegantly illustrated it makes a great storytime book for all ages.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

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Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express
by Margaret K. Wetterer, illustrated by Karen Ritz

What would you do if disaster struck one rainy, dark evening? Fifteen-year-old Kate Shelley grabbed a hat and a heavy coat and ran out into the dark and wet to help in any way she could.

Kate stared at the rickety wooden bridge. There were boards loose on its narrow walkway. There was no railing to hold on to. She was afraid to cross this bridge even in daylight. But she had to cross it now. She had to get to the train station in time to stop the midnight express. 

Margaret Wetterer tells the story of this brave young woman as she fights against the elements as well as her own fears to save the lives of unsuspecting travelers on the midnight express train headed at full speed toward the bridge that was washed out during a torrential downpour. The illustrations by Karen Ritz capture the thrilling journey Kate made in the dark across a dangerous bridge high above a raging river as she desperately tries to reach the train station in time to have them stop the coming train.

Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express (Amazon / Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for sharing the story of a young woman who lost a father and younger brother in tragic accidents and who, when faced with danger, didn't shy away from trying to help save others. Margaret Wetterer's ability to convey the excitement and bravery of this story in such simple language is remarkable, making it an excellent book for early readers.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

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Little Melba and her big trombone

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
by Katheryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Bookshop / Amazon / Library) is a fun picture book about the trailblazing jazz musician and arranger Melba Liston, starting with her childhood in Kansas City, Missouri, during the Great Depression, following her through her adult years as a trombone player in various bands, and then to her work as a music arranger and teacher.

When I read the story of Melba requesting a trombone at the age of 7, my first thought was What is a little girl going to do with such a big instrument? She's going to a whole lot, that's what! She was surrounded by music growing up, and with the support of her parents she was able to explore her natural talent.

Katheryn Russell-Brown's writing brilliantly captures the swinging rhythm of the big band era. Frank Morrison's colorful artwork grabs your attention with its warmth and movement. Looking at each page I can almost feel the warm sun of a summer day on the streets of Kansas City; feel the excitement of this young virtuoso as she stretches herself toward her goal; and head the music of life in this vibrant community.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone (Bookshop / Amazon / Library) earned the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for showing us how even a little girl can make her big dream come true with a lot of work and a little luck. This book is an excellent choice for early readers interested in music, as well as an enjoyable storytime or bedtime book for younger kids.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

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Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song
by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song (Amazon / Library) is an absolutely beautiful book celebrating the life and art of these two extraordinary voices in American history: civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, a phenomenal husband and wife team, join their two talents in what I am convinced in a work of passion for them both. Andrea Davis Pinkney's prose is magical, lifting the reader out of reality and carrying us along on the journey of these two historic figures. And Brain Pinkney's artwork makes this book an almost spiritual experience.

Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song (Amazon / Library) wins the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for showing the power of a single voice to inspire a nation, and how the joining of two remarkable voices change the world. This book is a beautiful bedtime story for younger children, as well as an excellent choice for early and middle grade readers.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

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I Am Rosa Parks

I am Rosa Parks
by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos

I am Rosa Parks (Amazon / Library) tells the story of this iconic civil rights hero, starting with her childhood and the injustices she experienced, through to her adult work with the NAACP and the events that led up to her protest on that December day in Montgomery.

Brat Meltzer takes a difficult story about racism and discrimination and deftly simplifies it for children without losing any of the important parts of the story. Throughout the book, he uses the actual dialog from Rosa Parks and others, strengthening the connection between the reader and the event so many years ago, and making it easier for children today to envision themselves taking a stand against injustice

The artwork from Christopher Eliopoulos is colorful and inviting, subtly revealing details about the story on each page, enhancing the story. Rosa Parks is depicted as a kind of adult-child, smaller and more childlike than the other adults, giving the effect of placing the child reader in the scene. I was worried when I first saw the cover that the story would be made into a overly simplistic and cute-but-shallow tale, but I was quickly reassured of its remarkable depth in the first pages, showing Rosa's brave interaction with an angry mother of a white bully Rosa stood up to.

I am Rosa Parks (Amazon / Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for its delightfully empowering telling of her story of courageous resistance in the face of discrimination and oppression, and her determination to take a stand against it.

It is an excellent book for early readers, or for story time with an adult. The illustrations are engaging and easily convey the message of the story, complementing the text. The story addresses feelings of fairness and justice in way that younger children can still related to and process.

[Note: I have included Amazon Affiliate links in this post. I am exploring options for increasing my income from this blog to help me to continue to bring you the important stories of kickass women and girls. While I will always work to tell these stories, I have bills to pay. By all means feel free to look for these books elsewhere if you prefer. If you want to help support the work I do here, please consider using these links to shop.]

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Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
by Renée Watson, illustrated by Christian Robinson

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills tells the story of a young woman with a beautiful voice -- which she used for singing and for speaking out about injustice.

I didn't know anything about Florence Mills or her family of singers, and it was a real treat to be introduced to her in this beautiful book. This book starts with her early childhood, showing the challenges faced by her family. Her parents -- who had been slaves -- and her siblings used music to escape grinding poverty by performing around the region.

As Florence got older, she became a musical celebrity on her own. But she was not content. She wanted to use her voice to do more than entertain -- she wanted to change the world. And she did.

Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills (Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for telling the story of a brave woman who was determined to improve the lives of others. Her courage and certainty that she was on the right side of the issue is an inspiration to us all. This book is a great early reader with clear language and colorful illustrations that perfectly capture each part of the story. It touches on issues around racism and shows how Florence fought against them at every turn in a way that even younger children can understand.

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