The New York Times Book Review - Samantha Hunt
…a series of reminders I sorely wish we didn't still need…Dear Girl mixes the joy of childhood—"Sometimes you just gotta stop and DANCE!"—with threads more troubling. "Dear Girl, If your instinct is telling you to say no, say no, you know?" Some may find a picture book that touches on consent disheartening, yet it seems abundantly necessary. Holly Hatam's simple, stark style and limited palette reflect the essential and basic nature of equality, conveying that Dear Girl can be any girl.
Publishers Weekly
10/09/2017
Rosenthal, who died last March, and her daughter, Paris, offer encouragement to girls through a series of short letters. Some of the advice and imagery is overly familiar (“Dear Girl, Don’t ever lose your sense of wonder,” finds the book’s heroine standing in awe of a rainbow) but the missives are generally empathetic and up-to-the-minute. Readers are urged to branch out (“Find people like you. Find people unlike you”), and there’s a nod to the pressures of growing up with social media: “Dear Girl, You won’t be invited to every single party on the planet. (Which is really ok—can you imagine how exhausting that would be?)” Hatam keeps the mood light in drawings that combine line-drawn characters with collaged elements and color washes, though the focus on one girl with white skin and black hair relegates children of color to supporting roles. The authors are forthright in their intention to create a keepsake, noting, “Whenever you need an encouraging boost, remember you can turn to any page in this book.” Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Amy Rennert, Amy Rennert Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Christy Ewers, Christina A. Tugeau Artist Agency. (Dec.)
New York Times Book Review
Abundantly necessary. Holly Hatam’s simple, stark style and limited palette reflect the essential and basic nature of equality, conveying that Dear Girl can be any girl. Dear Girl ends with love. Scary times call for extra love.
Booklist
A mother-daughter team offers a love letter encouraging girls to accept and love themselves. They advise girls to be confident, to speak up, and to be curious and adaptable to anything. Sure to be a hit for mothers and daughters of all ages for its warm, supportive message.
Booklist
A mother-daughter team offers a love letter encouraging girls to accept and love themselves. They advise girls to be confident, to speak up, and to be curious and adaptable to anything. Sure to be a hit for mothers and daughters of all ages for its warm, supportive message.
School Library Journal
★ 11/01/2017
K-Gr 3—This title from Rosenthal and her daughter Paris contains a series of short letters of affirmation and encouragement. Each missive reminds readers to be herself, be smart, be adventurous, sometimes cry, and always listen to your instincts. The mother-daughter connection is always loving and personal. "Make your room awesome. Make your room you. And while you're at it, make your bed! Hatam's mixed-media illustrations perfectly balance and illustrate the text. Watercolor, crayon, and collage are just some of the elements she uses, and her application could easily inspire a project partnering English and Art classes, or a library literary club. While this book is formatted and applicable to young readers it might find its most important audience in elementary-age girls. The text is encouraging and important and, if shared by the right adult, could have a powerful, lasting impact. VERDICT This picture book should have a permanent place on every empowering book display your library puts up. A must purchase.—Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT
Kirkus Reviews
2017-09-18
Short, epistolary advice from a loving parent or caregiver.Amy Krouse Rosenthal was no stranger to odes to families (That's Me Loving You, 2016, and I Wish You More, 2015). This picture book is a collaboration with her daughter—a series of tiny reminders to a growing girl. Blurring the line between a familiar letter salutation and an endearing term of love, each piece begins with "Dear Girl." Some are silly: "Dear Girl, / … // Sometimes you'll need a tissue. / Sometimes you'll need a bucket." In illustration, a distraught gal cries overflowing tears. Some are clichéd: "Dear Girl, Coloring OUTSIDE the lines is cool too." ("OUTSIDE" sprawls across the spread in giant block capitals; each letter is colored in, crayon marks exceeding every boundary.) Some are contemplative: "Dear Girl, Write down your thoughts once in a while, even if it is just to enjoy the way your pen feels against the paper." Combined, they all have Amy Krouse Rosenthal's (apparently genetically shared) knack for touching a wisp of wonder. Hatam's round-faced, white protagonist has ink-dotted eyes and moves through the myriad scenarios, hugging and befriending a few darker-skinned pals along the way. The pages may be tinged with sadness now that Amy Krouse Rosenthal has passed, but the message of tender protection is strong and clear.Singularly addressed to "Girl," but an open-arms reminder to all children. (Picture book. 4-8)
