LillyBelle: A Damsel NOT in Distress
Bibliography:
Pastro, J., & Ortiz, J. (2020). Lillybelle: A damsel not in distress. Boyds Mills Press.
The story starts off by introducing our main character, Lillybelle, as well as her school for damsels where teacher Lady Frilles teaches students to bake, play music, learn manners, attend daily tea parties, and are taught that when in a predicament, a damsel must wait for a hero to save them. Lillybelle does not like this, so she decides that she will be a damsel not in distress. The next day, Lillybelle comes across a witch that wants to eat Lillybelle; she decides to be a damsel not in distress, and resolve the situation by herself by teaching the witch other things to bake, like a pie. Lillybelle then comes across a giant who wants someone to sing for him, and by being a damsel not in distress, Lillybelle teaches the giant to sing his own songs so he can always have music. Lillybelle then comes across an ogre who does not know how to act properly, so Lillybelle resolves her own problems as a damsel not in distress by teaching the ogre manners. Lillybelle explains to Lady Frilles that she can save herself and teaches her classmates they can do the same when the witch, giant, and ogre join the school for their daily tea party.
Personal Connection:
I absolutely love this book and think all young children should read it, especially girls. This book promotes the idea of feminism in a fun and funny way, teaching girls that they are strong enough to "save themselves". Growing up, we were really separated by boys and girls with stereotypical traits: boys are strong and smart, girls are weak and emotional. This book can not only show young girls that they are strong enough to do things by themselves, that they can be independent, but it can also show boys this and reinforce that thought that everyone is equal. Feminism is extremely important, especially at a young age, because if we can be taught that we are all equal and all deserve equal opportunities young, then we can grow into good adults, and create a better world.
Classroom Connection:
I think in the classroom, I would keep this book in my library at all times, always giving the children the chance to read it because of its message: girls are strong! This book would be a great one to use when talking about characters' responses, main events, lessons learned, and important ideas or concepts. An activity could be to write out the main events of the book and explain what happened as a result in a graphic organizer. Another way a teacher could use this book would be to teach about problem-solving, as Lillybelle solved all her own problems. Of course, students don't need to know what to do when coming across an ogre, but if they having a conflict amongst each other or a problem with school work, this book could be a good segway into discussing ways to solve problems in their lives.
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