Parents' Guide to

Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls

By Jennifer Gennari, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Adventures are gripping, a little gruesome.

Book Jane Yolen Folklore 2000
Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Brave and smart girls fool monsters, rescue men and other women, and defeat their enemies in battle. This important collection of true and legendary folktales from around the world demonstrates that girls don't always need a prince to rescue them. Although violence is included in these folktales, it is never gratuitous.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

The tales in this collection turn stereotypes on their heads with heroes that are brave, smart, and female. They are wonderful to read aloud to older children. Their origins are diverse, including ancient Greece, Niger, Japan, Argentina, and the United States. It's an important collection not only because of the way it showcases strong girls in action but also because it introduces the history and culture of many places.

The violence, which may be a detraction for some, is appropriate within the folktale genre, and dramatizes the strength and bravery of the heroines. The black-and-white illustrations are few but detailed. Each story has at least one, which will draw in younger, squirmy listeners.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the heroines. How do they compare with the women at the center of more traditional fairy tales?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate