HOORAY FOR WOMEN!

A graphic compendium of 16 strong, trailblazing women.

In Williams’ classic comic-strip style, the lives of women scientists, pioneers, athletes, and artists are explored and celebrated. In chronological order from ancient to contemporary, Williams touches on key moments in each woman’s life. Compressing an entire lifetime into a few panels stretched across two pages is a feat; it makes for condensed (somewhat choppy) storytelling, but Williams’ humorous touches lighten the format. Bright, intricate cartoons are infused with conversational text while chatty birds line the edges of the panels, chirping extra facts. A pair of dark-skinned pals, Dot and Abe, frolic along the bottom, adding commentary and forward motion to encourage readers to keep turning the pages. Alas, of the 16 highlighted females, most are familiar names, including Anne Frank, Marie Curie, Florence Nightingale, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Helping to diversify the gallery are such figures as Frida Kahlo, Wangari Maathai, and Mae Jemison. Williams acknowledges the difficult nature of choosing a select list; she includes brief information about 59 others in the back along with a challenge to readers to find more heroic women who have inspired them.

This animated volume will surely rouse future change-makers.