MetaChat - Books for Wee Girl Geeks?

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11 December 2006

Books for Wee Girl Geeks? When it comes to all things "geeklet-raising-related" I turn to... →[More:]Rachel Hartman and her blog Milkbreath and Me which is all about her raising her only son Byron as an ex-patriate in the wilds of Vancouver, BC. This entry in particular hits home for me right now because I'm thinking of what kinds of books I can get for my 3-year old niece that would be right at her reading level, but also leaning slightly away from the pink and girly that she's getting in full-force from her parents and both sets of grandparents. But the thing is, the books she references are mostly for boys (because she has a boy, natch)!

Where, I cry, are all the geek-girl books that would be suitable for a 3-year old? What would be okay for my non-geek sister to read to her that she'd actually read to her when I come back here to New York? It's one thing to be the auntie that they only see once or twice a year. It's another thing to be the auntie who gives them weird books and toys that they will only read or play with grudingly when I'm here. I don't want to be that auntie.

An aside: When I was with my first boyfriend, his little brother was 2 when I first met him. "Raising" him with my boyfriend (because his half-brother's dad was a pushover) was something I slowly got used to and towards the end of the relationship six years later, I was comfortable enough with the boy to where he and I could go to Disneyland by ourselves and we'd have a good time. My own nieces are alien to me and short of spending every day of my vacation with them (which I can't, because I still have to work, damnit) I don't know what to do. This upsets me so much that I'm crying right now.

Anyway, got any recommendations on what I can buy and what I should do?

post by: TrishaLynn at: 13:46 | 9 comments

Your niece is reading at 3? Damn, she is a geek.

Seriously, though, I think all 3-year-olds enjoy Where's Waldo-type activities, especially if they can do it together with a grownup. Think about I Spy books.

Though, it's entirely possible I don;t understand the question on a basic level.

posted by danostuporstar 11 December | 14:01

You might try going to the public library and asking the librarians in the children's division, or youth services, or whatever your library happens to call it.

posted by JanetLand 11 December | 14:09

If it were my kid, here's what I'd do: I'm really fond of the idea of giving kids the opportunity to understand the mythology of multiple cultures at an early age. When I was young, my mom read me kiddie versions of all the classical Greek stuff.

I have a personal affinity for the mythology of the Northwest Coast tribes (Haida, Kwaikuitl, Tlingit, Salish, Tsimshian, and others) because their art and history was what I wrote my undergrad thesis on, and because it's a part of my home in the Pacific Northwest. I found beautifully illustrated versions of the stories of these tribes in the Portland Art Museum bookstore recently, and I intend to buy copies in case I ever have kids. I think it's important that they be able to see their home through the eyes of those who lived here for thousands of years before us.

posted by pieisexactlythree 11 December | 14:15

Our little one (5yo, beginning reader) has been loving "Lizzy and Skunk" -- it's all about bravery, conquering fear, and friendship. I'll try and think of some other ones later this afternoon.

posted by Rock Steady 11 December | 14:28

dano: I don't want to get any "name" brand books like the Disney Princesses stuff (although she loves that stuff) because it is so branded and contrived in a way. Since I haven't been around her since last June, I don't know what she can do as far as reading, if she's just a good memorizer or if she can actually read.

I took a course in children's lit when I was in college and I learned that many books these days for kids are written with agendas and morals and whatnot. I'd want to have my nieces read books where honor, valor, intelligence and independence are stressed more than just being strong or brave or sweet. I want them to associate those things with what I like and what I stand for.

But I also want them to read books where the hero isn't the strongest or the fastest, or the sweetest or whatever. I want them to read books with heroes who wear glasses and use their brains.

Is that more clear?

posted by TrishaLynn 11 December | 15:29

Yes, I see now.
Can't think of anything though. (My son was at least 6 before he could "get" anything but the simplest of plots.)

posted by danostuporstar 11 December | 15:51

I second the classical mythology idea, only because I went through a long faze of adoring anything mythology related and kiddie versions come in small medium and larger. Still, three might be a little young for those. But keep in mind for future! After all, I am a girl geek. ;)

Now, as a swede I must be patriotic and mention Astrid Lindgren or the government will tax me to death. Her books are great adventures and some suitable for the very young where others you might want to wait with (Bröderna ejonhjärta/Brother lionheart is very sad for example). Pippi Longstocking chas a bag full of money, a pet monkey and a horse that she is strong enough to carry and just plain fun. When I was a young gal I adored Lotta på Bråkmakargatan (The Lotta books, ... aka A Clever Little Girl Like Lotta... aka Lotta on Rascal Street) which aren't at all as famous as Pippi but she is younger (around 5) and geared toward younger kids. She's a can-do little adventurer who moves away from home to grandmas house and that sort of stuff. Fun.

Now, I wish I knew more 'intellectual heroes' type books for girls like you describe as well so I hope someone else has better answers.

posted by dabitch 11 December | 16:02

>honor, valor, intelligence and independence

Unless the kid is very advanced, you may be aiming a bit high for a three-year-old. There are the Petsitters' Club books and the Judy Moody books, but those are a bit more like 1st or 2nd grade material (even as a read-to book). My daughter is an advanced 5, and she is still not quite ready for Judy Moody. Summerland is a great kids book by Michael Chabon that is up your alley, and Daniel Pinkwater is the master of the imperfect hero, but both of those are at least 6-7 years off for your 3-year-old niece. As long as she is reading and being read to at that age, I think that is pretty good.

posted by Rock Steady 11 December | 17:40

Third the mythology, which I read a great deal of, as a small child. You'll get a great variety of heroes - some win through brawn or beauty, but there are plenty of heroes [or deities] that win through cleverness as well. They're generally available in many forms - everything from heavily illustrated versions for beginning readers to the originals. Furthermore, many of these myths [particularly Greco-Roman] are referenced in Western culture. They're useful things to know.

You might also want to think about books that she might enjoy her parents reading out loud to her: I began reading at your niece's age, but I finished reading my first "big book" [The Hobbit] in kindergarten because my parents couldn't read it fast enough for me. Don't limit yourself to stuff that she's currently capable of reading unaided. If it's a good story, she may rise to the challenge! [This also goes for some of the earlier suggestions, including Pippi Longstocking.]

Regarding easier stuff [picture books]: my younger siblings really enjoyed stuff by Barbara Cooney. Miss Rumphius and Roxaboxen are the two that I recall, but all the stuff I saw by her seemed to be engaging, while prizing stuff like imagination and independence over beauty or brawn.

posted by ubersturm 12 December | 23:31

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