I was pleasantly surprised with this 321 Awesome! 20 Fearless Women Who Dared to be Different by Eva Chen. Books that list influential women can be a bit preachy or only have the same women always used. Yet, not only does it have “popular” people one would know, it has people you do not normally see in a book about women as influencers. However, there are a few people that not everyone will agree should be included (JK Rowling, Temple Grandin, Rhianna). This variety is what makes it fresh and interesting to talk about. It is also a counting book. The number used with the person represents something that person has done. To use JK Rowling her number is 12 as in the 12 times she was rejected by publishers.
Included are authors, artists, performers, scientists and even a soccer player (Megan Rapinoe whom the author even says is controversial). Therefore, while all ages can get something out of this, it is not for all ages at the same time. This will make the board book format difficult as a selling point.
Derek Desjerto’s illustrations are cartoony without being too cartoonish. They are not exactly caricature of the people mentioned, but they do have elements that show who the people are in an almost exaggerated manner.
Desjerto and Chen are the creators of A is for Awesome! 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World. Now they have a counting book and alphabet book, I am curious to see if they continue with another subject or find another way to include women in a bok.
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