Book Review
The Daring Book for Girls By ANDREA BUCHANAN and MIRIAM PESKOWITZ
Reviewed by PEGGY BARNETT
"The publisher and authors acknowledge the inspiration of The Dangerous Book for Boys for the concept and design for this book." In the opening pages, the authors also disclaim liability for injury or damages from activities contained in this book. Although The Daring Book for Girls is full of activities, games, and information, not much of it seems to this reviewer to be dangerous, even daring.

The authors state in the introduction that they want this to be a "book of possibilities and ideas for filling a day with adventure, imagination -- and fun." It seems to fulfillthat wish. The "Essential Gear" list includes a Swiss army knife, which could be dangerous in careless hands, but it also includes a hair band, safety pins, duct tape, and patience!

A number of pages give the rules and tips for games like basketball, netball, softball, bowling, and darts. One's heart goes out to the little girl who has to play alone. There are individual activities offered, though: how to whistle with two fingers (something I've always wanted to master, but the directions did not succeed with me,) hiking (should one do that alone?,) and making a "cootie catcher." (How many of you remember that one?)

Quite a number of facts are given. Several sections deal with famous women. Five Queens of the Ancient World, along with women inventors and Olympic Firsts perhaps inspire girls. Charts give state capitals, flowers, and trees. Many may be interested in the description and history of some of the South Sea Islands. There is even the Periodic Table of the elements.

The young woman who wants to know how to read palms, tell ghost stories, or watch birds can finddirections here. She is not limited to traditional feminine activities, however. She can also paddle a canoe, make a willow whistle, and change a tire. If she can gather some friends, they can jump rope (with old and new chants) and play hearts and gin.

Buchanan and Peskowitz seem to have thought of everything the Girl Scouts might have done, with math tricks and yoga thrown in. This is a reference book, rather than a read-through. This reader wishes she were either lots younger or had a ten-year-old to play with.

The Daring Book for Girls is available at the Mary Willis Library.

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