What It Feels Like For A Girl.

[wolfpangs]

So I've been shopping like a crazy person in preparation for Sadie--that's my niece, by the way, who is scheduled for street date on 13 September. The shower is in August and since I'm oddly competitive when it comes to gift-giving, I'm getting a head start. I've got the clothes and toys and gear stuff covered, I think but I thought I'd open up the floor for suggestions on the cultural stuff. I was at the bookstore yesterday just looking around and when I saw Reviving Ophelia, it made me think about how there's probably no way to world-proof Sadie but God, I wish there were.

So then I started thinking about how we can give her a solid foundation at least and I have my favorites, of course, but I'd like to hear from you. What books, music, movies, etc. do you think a girl should have? It doesn't have to be necessarily feminist but that is of course welcome. Keep in mind that she's still baking so it'll be a little bit before she'll be able to appreciate the deeper things. We haven't even gotten to The Poky Little Puppy yet...and we will.

As I said in a letter to her that I've been composing mentally, there's just so much out there to see and hear and experience and I want to tell her everything I know. I want to hear what you know, too.

I'll tell you what--whenever you feel like you're alone and there's nobody you can rely on, this is all you need to know.

Comments

[readykatego.livejournal.com]

Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" - a great text for girls that acknowledges the self-doubt a lot of us possess while encouraging our agency and abilities. I can't wait to read it with my daughter, if I'm ever lucky enough to have one.

(My great-grandmother's name was Sadie, short for Cecilia - lovely name!)

[rockgeisha.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about that yesterday, since it was the Fine Lines selection and then they had a lovely box set of the Time Quintet.

And ooh, Harriet the Spy--that's another must.