Blueberry Girl

Liam's review, "Dad, it's not about anything!"

I like this in principle--he wants the girl to be a blazing heart and strong, live live live and be unburdened by losers, etc.--and the art is full of animals and luminous beings, yes, a bit like a kid's Sandman--but I felt it was a bit disjointed for me, and I think Emmett agreed somewhat: there's

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the girl, whoa, who are those three norns or erinyes, oh phew they're gone, now some animals, the owl is still with her but the others are just hanging, but these whales are awesome I want some more whales, where are the whales, oh her mum looks nice, but where are the whales, hmmm here is a highly abstract representation of the circle of life and a wall that may have powerful symbolism or may be just a wall, I'm not sure I am keeping up completely with this astral journey, oh well, at least there were some more whales before the end, I think was kind of his process. But it's pretty and has a good message.

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A poem written by Neil Gaiman illustrated by Charles Vess. This was originally written for Tori Amos' daughter Tash and Neil eventually published it which I am very glad about. It follows a much loved baby who grows into a woman, travelling the world and its wonders. It is the wishes a parent may

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have for their daughter and the daughers wishes as well.

These are some of my favourite of Vess's illustrations and it was such a beautiful poem. If we do decide to have children and one is a daughter I can definitely see myself reading them this poem before bed. Such a beautiful gift.

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This is such a sweet book...has a new age feel. Written for a pregnant mama. Contains the hopes and dreams anyone could feel for their children.

Reminds me of the email chain that was a letter from a grandparent to a grandchild. This book is similar in that is doesn't wish for all to be well and

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sweet and tidy all the time...but that life will hand challenges to you and may you do well with them.

The tone and some of the illustrations (not the style but the theme) reminded me of the book On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier.

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A prayer for a girl who is "still just a bump". The illustrations of Charles Vess, with the Blueberry Girl surrounded by friendly animals, are wonderful. Neil Gaiman's lyrical words are beautifully written - his poem evokes the hopes of parents for the future life of their baby. A dreamy and

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uplifting story for younger children.

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Excellent picture book and the illustration is so awesome it's about a woman who prays for her friend's daughter using extronarly poety. it's live bold and expressive. it allows girls to dream big.

it was a really encouraging and inspiratinal book one i would love for my daughters to read as well

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actually the younger one read it and loved it.

I talk to the group about praying and achieving dreams.

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I was thinking of my #2 daughter (she majored in dance) and now is expecting her first baby... yes, it's true that I will be a grandma again! Do you remember me telling you the Greek word for grandma is YiaYia but I absolutely love this spelling of the word better, YaYa. It seems easier for others

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to remember. Anyways, the message of this beautiful book for girls and future women is a great gift for new moms and young girls. This simple, short poem/story of rhyme uses good sense, good balance, and good vocabulary. The warm illustrations by Charles Vess are so beautiful.

This grabbed my heart right away, from inside the jacket flap:

This is a prayer for a blueberry girl...

"A much- loved baby grows into a young woman: brave, adventurous, and lucky. Exploring, traveling, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by the wonders of the world. What every new parent or parents-to-be dreams of for her child, what every girl dreams of for herself"...

This book is a blessing for daughters to have a rich, full, wonderful life... and I agree! It's a sweet benediction. Asking for clearness of sight, wisdom for your daughter and finding truth are wonderful things. Thank you Neil Gaiman for writing a very beautiful book! ***** stars!

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Neil Gaiman's Blueberry Girl should be in every female's library-- certainly every girl-child's library. It should be read to little girls nightly, that their dreams will grow wings and fly, and that their imaginations be strong and brave. Women should read it and hold its secrets in their hearts.

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Fathers should read it and know what precious gifts their daughters are. Husbands should read it, and look at their wives with fresh hearts and new minds. Blueberry Girl is a delight and a treasure.

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Fantastic story of a little girl who loves blueberries.

You know those songs you wish someone had put on a mix tape for you, those books you wish someone had read, that constantly elusive sensation of being completely loved?

This book is that.

It's the sort of book that if not perfectly executed, would make me grumpy and bitterly derisive. Fortunately, I

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think it's perfect.

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A very sweet and touching book to read for your daughters by the writer of Coraline and the Sandman series.

This book is about a baby girl that grows into a beautiful young woman. It is a story about womanhood. This book also has beautiful artwork as well.

This is a sweet little rhyme of a prayer more suitable for a one-on-one read-aloud at home, rather than school. Vess' illustrations are superb and detailed. Appropriate as a gift for a newborn little girl, a girl going off to college, or any time.

"O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping!" This is a lovely invocation, a hopeful incantation, a blessing and a beautiful wish. I've just fallen in love with Gaiman all over again. The words are exquisite and the

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illustrations extraordinary. It's a book I will buy for every girl baby born into my life from here on.

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I got this as a gift for a very special little girl. It is an amazing little poem and beautifully illustrated. She adores it. Every little girl needs this book!

I love Neil Gaiman's writing in all its forms, be it novels, comics or picture books. This is no exception. However,the text seems to really be written from an adult perspective, as it has an element of time that could be hard to grasp for young children. Nevertheless, this book represents all my

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hope and dreams for my future daughter. The pages are filled with love and the words ring sincere. It is a poetic ode to little girls everywhere and I can't wait to read it to my niece.

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Pretty illustrations and a sense of hopefulness mark this book. It's lighter than other Neil Gaiman books I've read.

Written as a special gift for a friend who was pregnant with a little girl, Neil Gaiman's Blueberry Girl is a poetic wish for all sorts of blessings for the baby in question, both when she is a child, and as she grows into a woman. It begins with an invocation and prayer - "Ladies of light and

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ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind, This is a prayer for a blueberry girl" - and goes on to express the hope that the girl will find the strength and wisdom to lead a good life.

This is the third picture-book I have read from the celebrated Neil Gaiman, following upon Instructions and Crazy Hair, and I have to say that it is the weakest of the three. I found the text rather awkward - it doesn't scan very well, and I can't imagine it making that appealing of a read-aloud - and thought that it missed the mark a bit. For a book that isn't story-centered, but is meant more as an inspirational meditation, I found myself oddly uninspired by the meditation. The artwork by Charles Vess is lovely - especially the scene with the whales! - but it wasn't enough to save this one. Recommended chiefly to Neil Gaiman fanatics who have to read everything he has written - everyone else can safely give it a miss.

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I can't describe this book in any other way than "this is a marvelous book by an author and artist, both of whom I've loved for some time, where they both bring their A-games to the table." It's the simplest rhyming book for children, most specifically a girl of any age. I've been waiting for it

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for years, and there's three copies set aside for important girls in my and my wife's lives.

If you have a young girl, she needs to hear you read this book aloud with her. Share this--it's powerful.

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Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. The words and the illustrations. Simply loved it.

My daughter received this for Easter and we read it this morning three times. She just loved it. It's a beautiful prayer for a new born baby for a lovely life through to adulthood. Some of the words are a bit advanced for a 4 year old (says age range 4-8) but the illustrations are lovely and the

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sentiment is sweet.

I can't rave enough about Neil Gaiman's children's books. Especially the Chu series (for younger kids)

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My daughter picked this up from the library and was a little disappointed so I thought I would read it to see why she felt that way. I personally loved it. I thought it was a very sweet book.

I originally purchased this because I've loved a number of Neil Gaiman's books and I love Tori Amos's music (who the book/poem was originally written for). In the end, it's a lovely poem that parents with young daughters should read. To that end, I've since passed on my copy to my sister so she

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could read it to her daughter. If I ever have a daughter, this will be one of the first books I purchase.

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This is beautiful and perfect, a great message for all girls.