My husband made a deal with my older daughter: If she was able to read a book aloud to him - not just memorize and recite it, but actually read all the words - he would buy her a lamp for her night table.

She read the book; he bought the lamp.

A Disney Princess lamp.  That TALKS.

Needless to say, I’m less than thrilled about the damn lamp.

I’m trying to focus on the fact that she’s interested in reading.  Because I’ve got just the book for her.

The Daring Book for Girls may have a sparkly blue cover, but beyond that, it wouldn’t interest Cinderella.  This book is all about the really cool stuff that girls ought to know - and I’m not talking about how to iron their linen handkerchiefs (or worse, a man’s linen handkerchiefs).

No, this book is about the stuff that makes girls feel brave and strong and knowledgeable.  That gives them a sense of being in control of themselves and their worlds - which is something far too few girls really get.

I’m an unrelenting advocate of building girls’ self-esteem - not by telling them how pretty or smart or talented they are (although such praise shouldn’t be neglected either), but by helping them realize what they can do.  That they don’t need to wait around for Prince Charming to take care of them.  That they can actually show boys a thing or two.

I love this book and its companion, The Dangerous Book for Boys, and I plan to introduce both to my girls and to my soon-to-be son.  Because fairy tales aren’t toxic in and of themselves - only the idea that you must rely on someone else to create one for you.

Go on, girls.  Make your own dreams come true.