4 stars
I recently read about Lela Lee in Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger and was intrigued by the Angry Little Girls series. Sadly, this was the only book my library had by her. But I did really enjoy this one.
Hilarious, adorable, and creative, this book retells a few well-known fairy tales staring sarcastic, funny, and above all angry little girls. While the characters are based off racial stereotypes, I felt it was more a calling out of these stereotypes as justification for the girls’ anger. They are all undoubtedly themselves and rage against the unrealistic and overgeneralized ideas of their sex, gender, and racial identity. The book itself and its characters felt like an exploration of these stereotypes rather than an adherence to them.
I really enjoyed this book and the girls’ anger at some of the ridiculous scenes in these fairy tales was hilarious and enlightened. Great quick read. Not really a good match for actual little girls (some cursing, rudeness, and more adult themes), but a fun introduction to gender and emotions for teens and young adults.