Two intrepid librarians

Two intrepid librarians review the best nonfiction books for children

Friday, January 13, 2012

Here Come the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey

Here Come the Girl Scouts! 
By Shana Corey; Illustrated by Hadley Hooper
Scholastic Press. 2012
ISBN: 9780545342780

This reviewer’s copy was sent to her by the publisher. Thank you.
(All ages)


This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. In Here Comes the Girl Scouts, Corey describes the indelible spirit of Juliette Low, founder of The Girl Scouts and how she would forever changed the lives of girls. Corey’s words convey the jaunty spirit of Low, nicknamed Daisy, that is perfectly matched by Hadley Hooper’s illustrations. (The pictures were created with traditional paint, ink and printmaking techniques, then scanned and assembled in Photoshop)

The book opens with: “Daisy was a girl with gumption." We see that gumption as Daisy stands next to a tree with a tree house, holding a fishing rod. The boards leading up onto the tree house platform have these words, “Gump-shun (n) courage, spunk, initiative, wit”  There are also these words just to the left of Daisy’s head:  “To make yourself strong and healthy, it is necessary to begin with your insides.” The book explains how Daisy said "bosh!" to the expectation that women should be "dainty and delicate." And as she grew into a woman, “Daisy had adventure after adventure. When she wanted a new gate for her house, she took lessons from a blacksmith and forged it herself.”

After a trip to England where she discovered the existence of the Boy Scouts, Daisy was determined to create a similar club exclusively for girls. Her first meeting of the Girl Scouts was held on March 12, 1912. From its inception, Low believed that all girls should have the same opportunities as boys, both in education and physical activity. Girls went hiking, swimming, took long walks,  learned how to tie knots, stop runaway horses, and enjoy the clean, fresh air.

In conclusion, we see two girls standing looking at portraits of women who were Girls Scouts and grew up to make a difference. Among the faces are Natalie Merchant, Gloria Steinem, Hillary Clinton, and Lucille Ball. “Girl Scouts have been making a difference ever since – just like Daisy.”

Children will love this picture book biography for its re-enforcement that girls can grow up to be anything.  The overall design is very attractive. Hadley places quotes from the first Girl Scout Handbook, written by W. J. Hoxie liberally throughout the book. The quotes add so much depth to Low’s story.
An author’s note and source notes round out this wonderful picture book biography. 



1 comment:

  1. I really want to read this one! I was a Girl Scout for a few years in elementary school, and I can't say I remember all of it fondly, but some things I learned there have definitely stuck with me.

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