Halima, Superhero Princess

4.5

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Author(s)

Emily Joof

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Asa Gilland

Publisher Name

Floris Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

September 03, 2024

ISBN13

978-1782508847

ISBN10 or ASIN

A young Black girl overcomes self-doubt and embraces her unique superhero princess identity in this energetic and empowering book from the author of I Will Swim Next Time.

Halima can't decide who to dress up as for her friend's birthday party. Should she be a princess like Elsa, or a sort-of superhero like Pippi Longstocking? "You can't be either," her friends tell her, "because you don't look like them."

Mama assures Halima can be whoever she wants to be, and together they discover more strong, brave women to look up to. Can Halima find the confidence to become her own unique superhero princess?

Includes portraits of Amanda Gorman • Beyoncé • Ellen Johnson Sirleaf • Janelle Monáe • Kadeena Cox • Kamala Harris • Kamala Khan • Lupita Nyong'o • Mae Jemison • Malala Yousafzai • Maya Angelou • Meghan Markle • Michelle Obama • Misty Copeland • Monica Rambeau • Nikeisha Andersson • Serena Williams • Shuri • Simone Biles • Storm • Tess Asplund • Willow Smith • Yara Shahidi

Editor review

1 review

A Fun and Creative book about Inclusivity and Differences

September 05, 2024

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Halima, Superhero Princess tells the story of a young girl, Halima who can’t decide who to dress up as for a birthday party. She wants to be Elsa or Pippi Longstocking but gets discouraged by her friends because she doesn’t look like them. Halima goes to her mother for help and she assures her that she can be whoever she wishes and gives her examples of women that look like her. Now it's up to Halima to find the perfect dress-up outfit for her friend’s party, who will she go as?

What I liked: I first heard about this book on my LinkedIn page so when I saw it again I knew that I had to read it. I’m glad I did because from the moment I opened this book, the images captured my attention. By the end of the story, the book had captured my heart and it was something that I wanted to share with other educators.

I appreciate the variety of colors the illustrator uses throughout the book and how well each image complements the words on the page. The words are easy to follow and read aloud because of the contrast with the pictures behind them. I love that some words are in different colors or fonts to stand out more.

I often hear many stories from people of color who have been discouraged from portraying their favorite characters because they don’t look like them. I love the message that this book sends by showing Halima that she can be whoever she wants and that there are also strong, amazing women who look like her. I love the message sent when Halima decides that a new type of superhero is needed therefore she makes her own because I found this true. We need different kinds of superheroes, not just ones we have known for decades.

Final Verdict: Halima, Superhero Princess, is a great book for children ages 4 and up that shows kids that they can be whoever they want and that their uniqueness is their own superpower. Children will love the various costumes that Halima makes for each day of the week, and adults will enjoy the creativity used to create those outfits from items around the house.