Beautiful

 

                                                                        

Beautiful

A Review by Emma Lee

Synopsis

Beautiful, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, explores and challenges common stereotypes about what it means to be "beautiful" as a young girl. Stacy lists out these stereotypes, but strategically pushes back against them when illustrations depict the young girls outside of these expectations and limitations. 

 Anti-Bias Elements

Positive and Representative Illustrations

The young girls in Beautiful are compassionately illustrated as real human beings. Depicted are distinctive and genuine features, rather than stereotypical traits. A wide range of skin tones, hair textures, and body shapes is beautifully represented. Realistic yet often overlooked features are also portrayed. The young girls smile brightly with their braces, beam with their freckles, and proudly show off their birthmarks and glasses, inviting readers to share in this pride. Even more, young girls with disabilities are also portrayed as fierce and capable competitors on the basketball court, pushing back against notions of invisibility. 

Effects on Children's Self and Social Identities

In Beautiful, diversity is celebrated. This creates a positive and reaffirming effect on children's self and social identities. The book acts as a reaffirming mirror when readers see themselves and their physical traits reflected in the illustrations. The book transforms into windows when readers view representations of other girls with different physical features than their own. Lastly, Beautiful becomes a sliding glass door when readers step into the book and embrace the beautiful friendships that extend beyond the so-called "barriers" of physical differences. 

Empowering Relationships that Promote Anti-Bias Perspective 

Throughout the book, the young girls are depicted as happily playing together on sports teams, exploring each other's whimsical backyards, and collaborating in science labs. Their strong and empowering relationships with one another show young readers that physical differences don't create barriers or divisions between people. Instead, love and connection extend far beyond and triumph over such superficial differences. This is what true friendship and anti-bias education entail.