Book review: Rebel Voices + competition

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By Louise Kay Stewart
Illustrated by Eve Lloyd Knight
Published by Wren and Rook, Hachette Children's Group

Rebel Voices – The Rise of Votes for Women – is a children’s book. A children’s book with a difference. I mean, take a look at that bold, feisty and unapologetic front cover. Doesn’t it make you feel ready to take on the world? That same world that you can see reflected in those beautiful eyes. Such a smart cover!

 Equally smart is the content. Girls will be inspired and empowered by the women portrayed in this book. Women who take risks, break rules, speak out. Women who are dedicated and passionate. Women who are not afraid to lose everything they have – including their lives – for a cause they believe in. Women who fight and – ultimately – women who win.

 On the centenary of some women gaining the right to vote in the UK, this is such a brilliant homage to all women who have linked arms all over the world to fight for equality.

 The text is informative and easy to read and the illustrations are incredibly inspiring. I couldn’t help greedily turning page after page and reading these stories all in one sitting. I thought I knew a thing or two about women’s voting rights and I was right… I only knew a thing or two! At the tender age of 36, this book has taught me a lot.

There is even a super useful timeline showing the dates when women were granted the vote all around the world. Learning which countries made this essential step in the same year was extremely interesting and not lacking in surprises.

 Forget Cinderella and Snow White and leave the stage to the Italian Ada Gobetti, the Australian Vida Goldstein, the Egyptian Doria Shafik and all their international sisters. These are the women you want in your children’s bedtime stories!

 I am now tempted to buy this book for all the girls I know… plus all the women I know! In the meantime, the publisher has kindly allowed me to offer a copy of this gorgeous book to one lucky reader. All you have to do is follow me on Twitter and retweet the competition post. Extra entries will be awarded to anyone who leaves a comment in the box below.

 A winner will be chosen on April 1st. UK only. Good luck!

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