I Will Be Fierce!

A multicultural girl-power manifesto . . . Birdsong's repeated refrain underlines the unambiguous message of this sassy picture book, and Chanani's bold and energetic illustrations reinforce the text's punchy, feminist-y declarations. . . the book will find repeated use in the classroom.

K-Gr 2-A school-aged girl uses her imagination to feel confident as she goes about her day. She is determined to answer the call to adventure and to be fierce. She considers her schoolbag her treasure chest and her rainbow-striped shirt her armor. When she encounters someplace new, she imagines herself walking tall in a world of giants, dragons, and serpents. She is bold and brave whether she's in the library, in the cafeteria, or with her grandparents. The atmospheric illustrations add another dimension to the story. VERDICT A simple, empowering tale that encourages children to be the heroes of their own stories. An engaging choice for storytime or one-on-one sharing.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, Alta.

Readers will smile at the charming and clever interplay between the words and pictures, and even younger audiences will understand the subtext: Being fierce means being kind to others and finding joy. The bright, expressive illustrations are full of movement, giving purpose to the girl's adventure.