It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday and the last day of January!
Is that even possible?
I am not done with all the things I had planned to do in January, so I think I’m going to need to press the pause button for a few days – maybe a week – while I catch up to where I intended to be 😊
Meanwhile, the fact that it is the last day of January means that it’s only 2 days until Groundhog Day (a very popular holiday here in my little corner of the blogosphere!) And I know I mentioned it on Tuesday when I was announcing the guidelines for the 2025 Valentiny Contest , but Phyllis is 20 this year! 20!!! (As you can tell, I have not gotten over this yet. 20!!!!!)
She says that calls for her book cover to be shared, and who am I to refuse her? So, here you go, Phyllis 😊

And since Phyllis is the Queen of Girl Power, she also requested that I honor her by choosing a book for Perfect Picture Books this week that upholds her vision of all that girls can accomplish, so this is what I chose 😊

Title: Like A Girl
Written By: Lori Degman
Illustrated By: Mara Penny
Publisher: Union Square Kids, August 13, 2019, nonfiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: girl power, diversity, strength

text copyright Lori Degman 2019, illustration copyright Mara Penny 2019, Union Square Kids

text copyright Lori Degman 2019, illustration copyright Mara Penny 2019, Union Square Kids
Opening:
“Stand up like a girl, by refusing to stand.
Stand up like a girl, bu extending your hand.”
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “Create, prevail, change the world . . . like a GIRL! This celebration of international girl power honors a multitude of women who made a difference.”

text copyright Lori Degman 2019, illustration copyright Mara Penny 2019, Union Square Kids
Links To Resources: back matter gives brief biographiess of all 24 women/girls featured in the book; Top 10 Fun and Engaging Empowerment Activities for Girls (Phyllis says you can also read PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS for an example of how a groundhog girl gets things done 😊)

text copyright Lori Degman 2019, illustration copyright Mara Penny 2019, Union Square Kids
Why I Like This Book: This book is a celebration of strong, dedicated, brave, creative, and determined women. Athletes, architects, and astronauts, painters, poets, and protesters, these are real women who changed the world with their courage and desire to make a difference. The book provides a model for young readers, showing them what is possible, and ends by encouraging girls to be curious and ask questions, and inspiring them to consider what they might be able to do. The text is beautifully written in rhyme, and the art is as strong and bold as the women it illustrates. A great choice for kindling the flame of possibility in young readers!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊 And enjoy your Groundhog Day on Sunday! What’s your guess? Early spring? Or 6 more weeks of winter?
A much needed book! Yay! For all girls everywhere from ages 0 to 80!♥️
So true! It’s a wonderful, beautiful book, Robin!
This book looks amazing. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Thelia! I hope you enjoy it!
Great read aloud and encouraging to everyone.
So glad you like it too, Robin!
Thanks so much, Susanna, for choosing my book! I’ve always loved Phyllis – she’s a great example of true girl power! I can’t believe she’s 20 either! Hope to cross paths with you sometime soon – it’s been way too long!
I love your book! And thanks for your kind words about Phyllis! Yes, way too long since we crossed paths! ❤
Love the book. Very empowering for girls. I think Phyllis will predict an early spring.
It’s a great book, Lori! I’m glad you like it, too! And I think Phyllis is going to predict an early spring whether she sees it or not because she is TIRED OF WINTER! 🙂
Happy Birthday Phyllis ❤️
Thank you, Donna! 🙂
Congrats on 20 years, Susanna! And congrats to you, Lori and Mara!
Yay for Phyllis!!! Fingers crossed that spring springs quickly this year!
And Yay for girls! May they be the source of strength and determination we need for the future!
Great choice for February!
Great choice for PPBF!
Plus, we all love Phyllis! Happy Groundhog Day! Hope “she” doesn’t see her shadow, I’m ready for Spring! ‘🌞 🌼🌷🌻