With tender, heartfelt words and deep, sweeping illustrations, For a Girl Becoming is a beautiful prayer for the life to come of a newly-born baby girl. Generations of family celebrate her arrival and a blessing unfolds in verse as we follow her through her journey.

This book struck chords in all the best places. As a parent of my own daughter, I felt the echoes of my own wishes for her in its language. The illustrations by Adriana García in this upcoming edition enhance the text with incredible majesty, rich imagery, and a fragrance of the mystical as it guides your eye across its pages. I was moved by its beauty and the effortless way the graphics and poetry all wound themselves together in a perfect work of art, and heart.

Thanks to W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

5 stars

Thank you to Norton Young Readers and NetGalley for a digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

This book is beautiful - with illustrations that are not only STUNNING but also deeply meaningful. It serves as a beautiful tribute to Native American heritage, thoughtfully highlighting the profound generational connection to the land, nature, and the people who carry forward their traditions. We LOVE representation - Native children, in particular, will find themselves seen and celebrated in a way that is both authentic and empowering.

The narrative follows the journey of a young girl from the moment she is born into adulthood, weaving together themes of ancestry, a deep connection to the natural world, and how deeply rooted her identity is in the land and the culture that surrounds her. The illustrations use intricate and rich imagery to convey complex ideas and emotions. While some of the symbolism and cultural concepts might be unfamiliar to those who have not exposed themselves to Native American traditions, it offers a valuable opportunity to learn and explore these beautiful traditions in a respectful and meaningful way. Although the book is recommended for children aged 4-8, teens and even adults will love this as well.

With its emphasis on the passing down of generational knowledge, this book is perfect for a quiet story time read aloud between parent and child or a gift for a young woman beginning a new stage of life. I can also see it being used with older students as an example of illustrated poetry.

I think there's something beautiful about being a woman, and I think there's something beautiful about experiencing the shared experiences of that, while at the same time experiencing it through the voice and words and hope of Joy Harjo.

A triumph of both image and text. Harjo's moving poem celebrates the spirit and life of a Native American girl from the time she is born, through her youth and adolescence, and into her adulthood. She emphasizes the generational, cultural, and environmental ties which keep the girl, regardless of how she grows or how her life changes, forever tied to the great universal cycle.

Garcia's stunning illustrations match the tone of the text to a T; the brilliant motion and color of each spread conveys the wonder of the natural world, of life, and of our connections to one another.

I would recommend this beautiful book to anyone, but I think it would be especially appreciated by older readers--this is one of those picture books I think many adults who might enjoy it will miss out on based on the assumption that picture books = only for kids!

With a beautiful blend of Harjo's poetry and García's absolutely stunning illustrations, this book is nothing short of perfection. For a Girl Becoming follows the life of a young Native girl, chronicling how the ancestors guided her to Earth, how she's loved and treasured right from the start, and how she grows and changes through life's many challenges.

The imagery here, through both words and art choice, is pure magic; the power and strength of hundreds of horses, the warmth and comfort of a loved one's hands, the ever-present rainbow shining despite the rain. This book is encouraging and filled with such love, like being wrapped in a hug.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from W. W. Norton & Company through NetGalley.
Beautifully illustrated story of a young girl's birth and hopes for her as she grows to adulthood. The poetry is beautiful but is difficult to read on some pages. The artwork is gorgeous and appears to be 3D on the pages. A lovely book to remember heritage.