Derring-do for girls...
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Have you looked longingly at ‘The Dangerous Book for Boys,’ the latest children’s sensation from Britain, and wondered: Where are the how-tos for girls? Where are those guides harking to a day before iPods, Atari, American Girl catalogs and YouTube? Turns out the publishing industry has scrambled to come up with at least half a dozen titles to more than balance the scales.
HarperCollins, the U.S. publisher of the bestselling boys’ book by British authors Conn and Hal Iggulden, has tapped Andrea Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz to write ‘The Daring Book for Girls,’ to be published Nov. 1. Among its contents: five karate moves every girl should know; famous women spies; stocks and bonds; and how to make your own comic book. It is, blogs Buchanan, ‘a book for any girl with an eye for adventure and a nose for trouble.’
Scholastic Press is also rushing out a U.S. version of another British bestseller, Juliana Foster’s ‘The Girls’ Book: How to Be the Best at Everything,’ on Sept. 1. Released by Buster Books in Britain in February, ‘The Girls’ Book’ tells how to survive a zombie attack, deal with bullies, do the perfect handstand, build the best sandcastle, make a compass and find the North Star.
Next up is ‘The Great Big Glorious Book for Girls’ by Rosemary Davidson and Sarah Vine, due July 19 in Britain. It promises instructions for making scones, daisy chains and elderflower cordial. No U.S. publisher is yet onboard, says USA Today.
And in celebration of that resourceful paragon of sleuthing and sensibility, Nancy Drew, now a retro heroine in the movie by the same name that hit theaters June 15, three handbooks will hit U.S. stores this fall. First out is Amy Helmes’ ‘The Wisdom of Nancy Drew: The Nancy Drew Guide to Solving Life’s Little Mysteries,’ published by Cider Mill Press in October, followed in November by ‘Clues for Real Life: The Classic Wit and Wisdom of Nancy Drew’ from Meredith Books and ‘The Official Nancy Drew Handbook: Skills, Tips, & Life Lessons’ by Penny Warner from Quirk Books.
They may not be of help this summer, but get your Christmas lists started.
— Kristina Lindgren