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‘Curlee Girlee’ Book Review

'Curlee Girlee' Book Review

Every girl that I have ever known has hated her hair at some point in her life. Straight-haired girls wanted curls. Curly-haired girls wanted straight hair. Brunettes wanted to be blonde. Blondes wanted to be blonder. Redheads wanted less course hair. I personally have straight baby fine hair that often has a mind of its own. My daughter seems to have inherited my hair along with the fast growth from her father. She loves her hair but also hates dealing with the frizziness and tangles. When recently offered the chance to review Curlee Girlee written by Atara Twersky and illustrated by Karen Wolcott in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library. The 32-page hardcover book currently costs $10.52 on Amazon with a list price of $14.99.

Author/Illustrator

Currently living and working in Manhattan, author Atara Twersky is also an attorney and the mother of three young children. She was inspired to write her first children’s book by her own real-life Curlee Girlee, but she hopes that the book will resonate with the 1.6 billion curly-haired girls worldwide as well inspire all little girls to embrace their differences and feel beautiful inside and out.

Illustrator Karen Wolcott has worked for Random House and Mattel and has illustrated more than 40 children’s books including titles for Scholastic and American Girl. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her family.

Synopsis

Recommended for children between the ages 3 and 8 in preschool through third grade, Curlee Girlee tells the story of a little girl named Curlee Girlee whose hair makes her mad. She wants her hair to grow down her back like spaghetti like her sister’s, not sideways and all curly-whirly.  Curlee Girlee wants to look like everybody else in her family, and she will try anything to solve her problem. One day, however, she discovers by accident that her curly hair is perfect just the way it is and that she does not need to look like everyone else to be beautiful.

Cover of 'Curlee Girlee' Inside Pages of 'Curlee Girlee' 1

Inside Pages of 'Curlee Girlee' 2 Inside Pages of 'Curlee Girlee' 3

Evaluation

With a daughter of my own, I am always on the look-out for books that empower females. I also share the same books with my son because I am raising both my kids to know that boys and girls are socially equal. I also want my children to know that their differences was what make them beautiful. I therefore love the message in Curlee Girlee. Curlee Girlee hates her hair at first because, unlike the rest of her family, she has curly-whirly locks that bounces and flounces. After trying all sorts of crazy and sometimes ooey-gooey ways to “fix” her hair, Curlee Girlee eventually comes to love her hair for all its curls. I appreciate books that impart the important message of loving yourself for yourself.

My kindergartener daughter just turned 5, but she has been reading on her own for almost a year now. She sat down and read the entire text of Curlee Girlee by herself without much help. She only had to ask for the definitions of a few words such as sprouted and flouncy. I therefore agree with the recommended age range for the book. My toddler son also enjoys listening to me read the story aloud, so younger kiddos may also love the book too.

In addition to the story, I also adore the illustrations in Curlee Girlee. First, my daughter loves all the pinks and purples throughout the book because pink and purple are her “favorite color.” The pictures are bright and colorful and really bring the story to life. My son also enjoys looking at the illustrations as I read the book aloud to him. He especially likes pointing out the dog on some of the pages of the story. The sweet picture-book is perfect for any little girl struggling with self-acceptance and every other little reader in between!

Final Verdict

If your daughter (or son) is struggling with accepting curly hair, then definitely check out Curlee Girlee written by Atara Twersky and illustrated by Karen Wolcott. The hardback book tells the story of a little girl named Curlee Girlee whose curly-whirly hair makes her angry. Eventually she learns to love her hair for all its curliness. I love the important message that the story imparts: To love yourself for who you are. My kids and I also love the colorful and vivid illustrations. Curlee Girlee is an excellent book for teaching young readers about self-acceptance!

Purchase Curlee Girlee on Amazon via my affiliate link. Learn more about the book at the Curlee Girlee website.

Image Credits

‘Curlee Girlee’ Book Review © 2016 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘Curlee Girlee’ © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Curlee Girlee’ 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Curlee Girlee’ 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Curlee Girlee’ 3 © 2016 Heather Johnson

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