Customer Reviews

All Things Girl: Girls Rock!

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My 12-year-old daughter received this book as a gift. At the end of the day, she told me she had read it from cover to cover. (She has read it several more times since) She told me she would like to receive more titles in the series as a gift, or she would buy them with her own money. This is a pretty strong statement, because our kids receive a very minimal amount of presents for birthdays and Christmas, and they also do not have a large amount of spending money. I knew for sure that this book had made a big impression on her. This book reinforces what we are trying to teach at home - that she is a precious child of God, "a daughter of the King." We have had many great conversations following up on themes in the book. She is much more comfortable discussing her feelings in regards to issues at school, her changing body and what the Church teaches about our dignity. She even wants to go on a Mother-Daughter retreat! Thank you so much for making this series!! It is a wonderful resource for families.

My sisters and I (ages 15, 13 and 10) eagerly awaited the arrival of these books. As we received each one, we became more and more saddened. While they would contain a few sentences of the beauty of the Church's teachings, they would quickly switch to fluff topics. For example, we had hoped to hear more on how your inner beauty is much more important than your physical. With such beauty, why do you need to use so much makeup or any at all? The beauty book (and the modern and modest) gives many very detailed makeup tips, (lip liner, lip stick, lip gloss, TONS of eye makeup, mascara, blush, concealer, foundation, powder, etc, etc, etc.). I do not personally think that makeup is a bad thing and certainly is not sinful, but I was hoping that they wouldn't put such an importance on the need for it. The book seemed to promote the draw into vanity (and not how to combat it) which is so promoted by our current secular world. They do say some things like you don't need designer clothing, etc. but that was pretty much it. I suppose I see how they were trying to bridge the ever widening gap between our Christian world and the secular world, but I still think that they had a great opportunity here that they missed using.

The other books missed the mark for us too. In Friendship, Boys and Getting Along, they say that "going with" and "having a boyfriend," simply means that you like a boy. When they could have stressed more firmly about waiting to date, they simply say that going places alone or having boy/girl parties are for high school. While this is a common take on dating, what about the virtue building possibilities here of not stressing such an importance on feeling that one must date in high school or even earlier? While the authors often have some good things that are character building, they just as often turn back to the secular view. The other sad thing about this book in particular is how they slam boys, saying that they just don't get "it." Also, that when you are ready to have a rational conversation, they are still doing silly things like playing with legos.

They seem to be constantly contradicting themselves, for instance, they say that makeup should be modest (that you shouldn't look like you have makeup on) and then they give 7 very detailed steps on how to apply all the various kinds of makeup that if followed would not look natural. And the aforementioned dating problem where they say that dating and courtship should be kept until you're ready to find a husband and then say that having a boyfriend and "going" with a boy should be saved as something to look forward to in high school (or younger).

They do have a few redeeming factors, they talk about your dignity as a daughter of the King (the same intro is repeated in every book) and about how your situation does not affect your dignity. Also, they have some prayers, good saint stories, and an examination of conscience in each book (these are not thorough, as they only cover the sins contained in the subject of the book, i.e., friendship). They try to give advice about friendship, clothing and hairstyles, although again they are mainly secular and sometimes rather obvious.

The manners book (All Things Girl, Mind Your Manners) is probably the best book, although you could probably get a much better book on manners somewhere else. They have place settings, a fun page about manners around the world, church manners, and other general etiquette.

Author and syndicated Catholic talk show host, Teresa Tomeo, teamed up with Molly Miller, and Monica Cops, putting their heads and hearts together to come up with a breath of fresh air for today's young girls.

Their series, All Things Girl, published by Bezalel Books includes 6 titles, two of which are: Girls Rock! and Modern and Modest . The series speaks about the dignity at the heart of every girl created in the image and likeness of God and does it in a very fun and appealing way. The books are generous in size and filled with colorful and attractive designs to capture a young girl's attention.

Modern and Modest is a delightful and eye-catching 59 pages and is just the book we'd love to see in every young girl's hands. The authors cover every relevant subject for girls from being a Godly girl and turning away from the media's portrayal of the culture's expectations and enticements and turning toward Jesus and the Church instead, to fashion and fabrics and what modesty really means, how to be modern and modest at the same time, as well as an overview of virtues and how they apply to living as a girl in our world today. Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body and Feminine Genius teachings are woven through in an uncomplicated understandable way. All topics discussed in Modern and Modest illustrate to girls that they can be very modern and cool yet pleasing to God in their modesty which is consistently explained in a simple yet contemporary manner.

In addition to suggesting ways to come up with a "family media plan" regarding the computer use, TV and movie viewing, this book encourages girls to look up to parents in topics such as "Daddy's Little Girl" and "Look to Mom." Amusing personality quizzes are sprinkled throughout the book. As well, make up and fragrance discussions, goals to achieve, and prayers to be included in a plan for life are all blended together in a delightful mix which is just right for our young growing girls. A story about St. Maria Goretti ends the book on a note to enhance the book's message of purity and dignity.

Girls Rock! is another very charming book for young girls by the same trio of women authors. Tastefully written, Girls Rock! covers many pertinent topics of interest to today's young girls in 52 pretty pages. This book, like the other, weaves Church teachings with practical tips for everyday life; giving girls the tools to navigate life in the twenty first century. Subjects are discussed in a very appealing manner. Feminism is compared to femininity, there are brief biographies of some great women throughout history, as well as a selection of Catholic woman today including Mother Angelica, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and Dorothy Day.

Girls Rock! explains the various vocations available to women. Positive goals are discussed to help girls persevere each day amid the messages contrary to the faith from the media. Fun games and quizzes and crafts are sprinkled throughout the book. One suggested project idea is to make a time capsule. Another is to start a family tree.

Girls can learn how to examine their consciences by turning to page 45. Some questions for girls to ask themselves when examining their conscience are suggested, such as: "Am I lazy? Do I finish what I started? Am I quitter? Do I give myself generously to others? Do I pray to God for light to see my vocation clearly? Do I use the traits of my personality to make a difference in my family, school and the parish?" Their virtues are also affirmed and the girls are encouraged to see the good things that they accomplished as pleasing to God.

Having a plan for prayer is impressed to the girls with explanations of the Morning Offering, Daily Prayers, The Rosary, and A Night Examination of Conscience. Girls Rock! ends with "A Girl Like Me which is a biography of St. Gianna Beretta Molla.

Modern and Modest and Girls Rock! could not have come at a better time for today's girls who are bombarded by an onslaught of confusing messages from the culture and their peers. It's a good idea to get these books into the hands of all young girls when they are open and interested. The All Things Girl series places the building blocks of prayer and virtue all throughout the pages of these lovely books to aid our young girls during their formative and impressionable years. They teach them the importance of protecting their God-given natural beauty -- their souls, as well as their bodies -- temples of the Holy Spirit, while encouraging them to turn to God in all things. These books are sure to help ensure today's girls a promising and grace-filled tomorrow.

To learn more about the books, [...].

Reviewer, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle is a wife, mother of five, author, catechist, journalist, EWTN host, and Lay Missionary of Charity is the author of "Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers," "The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home," and "Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers To Be" (with foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta). All were endorsed by Blessed Teresa and blessed by Pope John Paul II. Her latest books are "Catholic Saints Prayer Book," "The Domestic Church: Room By Room: A Mother's Study Guide," and "Grace Café: Serving Up Recipes for Faithful Mothering." They are available through her website: [...] and she offers daily inspiration at her blogs: "Daily Donna-Marie: A Dose of Inspiration", "Embracing Motherhood," "Moments of Inspiration with Your Favorite Saints" and "View from the Domestic Church." Her work can be seen in several magazines and Catholic websites. Her forthcoming books are: "Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship" and "The Heart of Catholicism."

We came across the boys book "All Things Guy: A Guide to Becoming a Man that Matters" through William Donohue's magazine, "The Catalyst." That great write up led us to the boys book which in turn led us to this wonderful series for our girls! Although the boy's book is one larger book and is black and white, the girl's books are in a fun series with great color and graphics but with the same overall theme: It is fun and exciting and a blessing to be a Catholic kid! Each book in the girl's series has some of the same information but we figured that is because not everyone will buy all the books and the information is too important to be left out. For instance each of the first couple of pages talks about dignity of person and that each girl is a daughter of the King. Each book also has a saint and helps the girls learn how to have a rewarding prayer life from a very young age. To keep costs down we bought the series for our girls to share but then bought them each their own journal. The books are rotating around and each girl is busy writing in her journal and keeping track of her prayer life. We were quite excited to find out that these books are now a series on Catholic television (EWTN) and will all be watching with books in hand with great anticipation for some more fun and learning.

All Things Guy: A Guide to Becoming a Man that Matters
All Things Girl: Truth for Teens

I purchased all but 2 of the books in the series for my 3 girls (and a Godchild) for Christmas and they (and I)love them. The last 2 books,which weren't out when I bought the others, I'm looking to get soon.

The books are easy reading, colorful and full of words to live by. "just be who God made you out to be and you'll be powerful, indeed." You don't need to look a certain way, wear certain brand of clothes...just be you! That is a very important message for girls these days when the media is telling you other things to be happy. Knowing you are loved by God and to live by the virtues...everything is in these books. I wished these were around when I was young. They are truly Priceless!

This great series of books gives Sound teaching to your growing girl. It's tough growing up, especially in this day of cliques, bullying, and cyber challenges. But these books encourage your daughter to live out her beautiful God given dignity through female saint stories, fun projects, modest fashion tips, topic appropriate examination of conscience, and Catholic teachings. Keep up the good work~!

What a find! I had been looking for a good Catholic resource for my daughters who are all interested in fashion, beauty tips, media, friends, etc., but there wasn't anything out there until the All Things Girl series. These books are truly a treasure my girls love! Not only because they contain current topics, but also they contain solid Catholic teachings on dignity, vocation, saints, virtues and a plan girls can implement for their prayer life. Each book is beautifully designed with lots of color, quizes, ideas for projects, and an examination of conscience related to the topic of the book. These books are a must for every Catholic girl!