Whale Rider

Talk about getting hit over the head with a Maori fighting stick.  The girl in this movie isn't just fighting against sexism on the school's football team, she is trying to overturn her entire society to show that she is the rightful leader of her people. This movie is great for girls who are a little older.  No matter how many of the movies on this blog you have your young daughter watch, at some point she will discover that there are still barriers for women in the world.  The protagonist in this film tackles the prejudice of her community (ie. her grandfather who is the current leader) head on and wins.  She has to make the ultimate sacrifice to do so, but she does what is necessary to regenerate her community.  This is one of my favorite movies, not just for girls, but for anyone. It is beautiful, heart wrenching, and uplifting all at once.

Plot synopsis: This is the story of a girl who is destined to be the leader of her tribe, yet her grandfather doesn't realize it because he expects his son (or grandson, or any male in the tribe) to be his successor. Paikea's grandfather starts to teach the young boys in the community to find one that can be his eventual replacement.  Paikea wants to take part, but is not allowed.  She studies her grandfather's teachings anyway.  Paikea and her grandfather have a loving relationship despite his blindness to her purpose.  It takes the most selfless act for him to finally realize the wisdom and power of his granddaughter.

Why this movie is great for girls: The movie follows Paikea as she struggles to define who she is, what her relationship is to her grandfather and to her community, and how to become what she is destined to be. This is a great movie about family and one of the most powerful examples of what I'm trying to find in media for girls. Paikea

Possible challenges: This is a complex story that develops slowly. Your daughter will need the patience to follow the story to its conclusion.  Also, the first scene is of a woman giving birth. It is rated PG 13, but for a silly reason. For about one second you can see a man holding a pipe. Kids won't notice it. The grandpa also uses the word "dick" when talking to the young boys of the tribe. The little boys laugh, and your kid might too!

Age recommendation: 8 and up.  This is a tricky one.  The movie is so powerful that I would hate to share it with a girl too late, but also, your daughter will need the maturity to appreciate it.  You will have to be the judge of when that magical time is.

Links:
Below is a Whale Rider trailer.

Olivia

The Olivia book series, by Ian Falconer, is popular with young girls.  Six-year-old Olivia is a self-assured little girl (pig) who is imaginative and adventurous.  The books have been made into a TV series on Nick Jr.  Some shows are also available on DVD and iTunes.  Each episode has two mini shows each about 12 minutes.  It’s great for short viewing stints.  The best thing about Olivia is its promotion of imaginative play, friendship, and family.  Even better, there is no moralizing at the end of every episode.  No sappy music playing behind a touching parent-daughter teachable moment (think Full House).  Olivia is a positive role model just by being Olivia.   She loves camping, soccer, ballet, painting, animals, surfing, reading, etc.  Little girls will identify with Olivia’s endless imagination and creativity.   In one episode, Olivia makes a huge model of the solar system.  In another, her grandmother teaches her to surf. 

It’s the little things that make Olivia all-around great for girls; things you might not even notice.  Olivia is helping her mom stir up veggie loaf and says its her favorite food.  She and her friends are often showed drinking milk.  At the grocery store, Olivia and her family are always shown in the produce isle.  Olivia knows how to pick out a ripe watermelon.   Olivia doesn’t complain about taking a bath.  The only thing she might teach your daughter that you don’t like is how to bargain.  Olivia always bargains with her mom about how many books to read at night.  “Five”  “No, Olivia, three.” “How about four?”  “Ok, four.”  Abbey seemed to pick up on this right away!

My favorite Olivia moment will illustrate why this is a great show for young girls.  My favorite Olivia moment came in the episode 'Olivia Takes Ballet'.  She is tossing a football in her yard with her little “bother”, Ian, and her uncle.  He throws the ball to Ian and says "are you going to play football when you grow up?" and Ian says, "Yes!"  Then he throws the ball to Olivia (who is dressed in a red tutu for the ballet) and asks her the same question.  The situation is just ripe for a "girl-y" response about who plays football and what sports are acceptable for girls and what is acceptable for boys. Instead, Olivia says, "I think I'd rather be the coach, then I could tell the players what to do.  Or maybe I'll be an owner, then I could tell everyone what to do!"  Classic Olivia. 

Polly

Plot synopsis: This Disney musical originally aired on tv in 1989. It is an adaptation of the book Pollyanna. It stars Phylicia Rashad (Claire) and Keisha Knight Pulliam (Rudy) Huxtable from the Cosby Show. The movie chronicles Polly, an orphan sent to live with her aunt of the same name.

Why this movie is great for girls: Polly was one of my favorite movies growing up. Polly has a positive attitude and seems wise beyond her years. She influences everyone in the town. She helps the town overcome an old misunderstanding that separated white and black residents for years. Her positive worldview inspires the town and allows her aunt to realize what is truly important.

Possible Challenges: There are scenes that deal with religion and one of the songs takes place in a church. The movie deals with racism, but in a very indirect way. It may be a great opportunity to talk about the topic.

Other information: It may be difficult to get a copy. I have seen it in a Disney movie mail-order club, and on Amazon and Ebay for about $30. In my opinion it's worth the cost and I plan to buy a copy when my daughter is older.

Age recommendation: 3 and up

Links:
This clip occurs after Polly teaches her minister about her late father's philosophy on preaching. She convinces him to use "glad texts" despite the constant intervention of her aunt on sermon topics.



This is a clip of the song Sweet Little Angel Eyes

You can get a copy of the movie through the Disney Movie Club, but you'll have to buy additional films also.

Charlotte's Web

This was Abbey's first official movie. I needed something to keep her happy one day when she was sick. She loves farm animals so needless to say this was perfect.

Plot synopsis: On a small farm, a young girls saves a runty pig from being killed.  She adopts him and eventually he goes to live in her uncle's barn.  Wilbur (the pig) befriends the barn animals, and especially Charlotte, the barn's spider.  Charlotte also decides to save Wilbur and writes words in her web to ensure that Wilbur is seen as special.

Why this movie is great for girls: I especially like the first scene, where Fern stands up to her father when he wants to kill the pig. She says he's being "unfair and unjust". Fern does not give up on Wilbur, although she is obviously not alone in her goal to save him. She is an independent young girl. Also, Charlotte is a great role model. She dedicates herself to helping her friend.

This movie also helps kids see the value in each creature. Through the eyes of Wilbur we see that Charlotte is beautiful. The doctor that Fern's mother visits helps us to see the miracle of nature. He talks about the miracle of a spider web, even those that don't spell words!

Possible challenges:  1. Dealing with death. Charlotte dies at the end, and although it is bittersweet because some of her babies stay. Abbey is only two and she asks "where did Charlotte go, Mama?" 2. Eating animals.  A popular theme with farm animal movies is the animal's concern about being eaten. I have no qualms about eating animals, as with most people.  However, animal's in the films are portrayed as being aware of death and afraid of it.  3. Fern's mother is very concerned that her daughter is not acting "normal" and wants her to play with other children and wear dresses. This demonstrates that adults are anxious for children to fit into our idea and plans for them.

Parental Lessons:  We should be proud when our child acts upon their convictions, even if their values challenge our unstated assumptions. 

Age recommendation: 2 and up

Purpose of this blog

I am the mother of a 2 year old girl. I want the media she consumes to paint a positive image of females for her. I think it is important for her to see young girls with a strong sense of self-esteem working through the challenges of life.

When starting my personal search, the only lists I found were dominated by princesses or the Olsen twins. So, I am beginning the journey of finding positive media for my daughter. I am interested in movies that she can watch now and those that are appropriate for her when she is 10 into adulthood. I hope that this blog will be found by other mothers who share the same concerns and passion for media to have a positive role in the lives of our daughters.

I will include popular movies as well as more obscure or less well known media that I find positive for my daughter. You may not agree with my choices, or you may offer a choice that I disagree with. I do hope that this serves as a resource for other parents who share my interests and concerns about media consumption by our children.