NONFICTION

Let Her Be

by Mackenzie Porter (text) & illus. by Katie Cottle
S. & S./Little Simon. Aug. 2023. 22p. Board $8.99. ISBN 9781665927000.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–This book tells adults that the best way to support girls is to give them space to learn to be their best selves. Allow them to play, to learn, to love, and to explore lots of different ideas so that they can become strong, independent women. The pictures are warmly colored and reflect lots of different cultures in the characters surrounding the unnamed, white main character. The lack of narrative structure makes this book feel like it’s directed at adults making decisions for young girls rather than the girls themselves.
VERDICT Younger readers will miss the narrative structure typical to picture books. The positive message about allowing girls choices might be better suited to caregivers rather than the young girls themselves.
Reviewed by Debbie Tanner , Jul 01, 2023

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