in Supergirl
undewear
way
up high,
with everybody I know
saying,
"A girl like you shouldn't be
flying
up
there ... "
'in your underwear' is the rest of that particular scolding.
Why on earth not, if that is a young girl's dream?
In a new picture book from this revered poet, Ms. Johnsom presents a group of dreamers. They are as diverse a group as are their dreams, and each is admonished for dreaming that big dream. Funny how so many adults think they should have a say about the dreams the girls dare to express. Their dreams are big, as they should be when they are young and searching for identity.
"Once I dreamed I swam
the ocean
and saw everything deep,
cool
and was part of the waves.
I swam on by the people
onshore
hollering,
"A girl like you needs to
stay out of the water
and be dry,
like everyone else."
Why would anyone want to be like everyone else? Much less a child who has her future ahead, and dreams that move her toward being her best self. Luckily, the girls depicted hear do not pay attention to the constant harping. Instead, they band together and welcome the challenge to be themselves and dream their best dreams. They wear costumes, and head to the beach together. The final spread shows them doing exactly what makes them who they are.
Nina Crews uses photographic collages that show these young girls happy and confident together, and inspiring to other girls who might see themselves among them. She extends Ms. Johnson's spare text with meaning reflected in the diversity of the group she has photographed. Following the text, a seperate spread encourages each girl included to share something special about themselves. Lovely and uplifting.
And sadly still needed today!
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