She Is Born [Hardcover]

Virginia Kroll (Author), John Rowe (Author)

Book Description

This picture book lyrically describes how cultures around the world welcome the birth of a daughter.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-This beautifully crafted and stately picture book embraces diversity through an exploration of how birth is celebrated across various cultures. The writing is reverent and poetic. Rather than use an excess of prose to express cultural differences, specific customs by which a baby girl is welcomed into the world are listed, e.g., "She will be bundled in a/bark cloth blanket/knitted bunting/kaross cape/and hugged into belonging." The concept then expands to encompass the possibilities inherent in a girl's birth: her hands will "make maize into meal between metates./Her feet will/kick soccer balls to victory-/Her head will harbor/math facts/ mythology/memories." The book does a fine job of establishing a sense of commonality among all women. The drawings are of photographic quality. They are both soothing and startling and provide a larger-than-life view of reality. Notes explain the cultures represented. While young readers will respond to the illustrations, the text will confuse or at best wash over them as a disjointed list of events and sophisticated verbal images. Adults will best appreciate this empowering vision of the universal nature of birth.
Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In stately, rhythmic cadences, with words set down in several fonts accompanied by hyperrealistic images, Kroll and Rowe make a mighty song of welcome to newly born girls: "She is born, born, BORN! . . . and Earth will never be the same." She'll be "hugged into belonging" or welcomed with pink balloons; she'll be given special gifts, such as a dream catcher; and she'll grow strong on cornbread or rice cakes. The images match the many cultures touched on in the text; there's even an alphabetical list of women's names--from Alena to Zawadi. Kroll's notes explain all the references, but even without them the reverent tone of welcome is still sweet and clear. Use this with Carol Gandd Shough's tender All the Mamas (1998) and with Jennie Overend's earthy, gorgeous Welcome with Love for a story time that will fill very young listeners with the sacred sound of their own existence. GraceAnne A. DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin/Beyond Words (April 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885223943
• ISBN-13: 978-1885223944
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,818,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Virginia Kroll is the author of over fifty books for children and winner of a 2004 Children's choice award. A former elementary school teacher, she lives in New York with her husband and has raised six children of her own.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful pictures that complement the theme of the book, May 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: She Is Born (Hardcover)

I knew this would be a perfect book to give to any expecting mother (expecting a daughter, that is). The book is beautifully illustrated--amazing work! I'm impressed with John Rowe's luminescent pictures. And the words are equally powerful. Virginia Kroll did some research to include all groups of people in her book. A bonus is the author's note in the back which explains everything she discusses (from food to customs). She does not exclude any group--she incorporates so many types of people, and the drawings reflect this as well. I've noticed Beyond Words Publishing releases works with a multicultural theme, and this book is indicative of this idea. With beautiful pictures and a wonderful message, this book is worth it. Any new mother of a daughter will love this book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful presention, outstanding contrasts., September 19, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: She Is Born (Hardcover)

She Is Born is hard to classify: nonfiction which reads like fiction. She Is Born discusses how cultures around the world celebrate the birth of a daughter, with vivid paintings by John Rowe capturing the multicultural explorations of a daughter's birth. A beautiful presentation, outstanding in its contrasts.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It, June 22, 2000

By 

Corinne Edwards (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: She Is Born (Hardcover)

I just had a daughter last month and my best friend gave me this book. I was really touched - the words are profound. The illustrations are beautiful. I am now giving it to another friend who just had a daughter. I highly recommend it.