By Brenda Chapman, "Brave" Writer and Co-Director

I have been overwhelmed at the supportive response that A Mighty Girl’s petition on Change.org has gotten and I’m thrilled and optimistic because of it.

But we’re not done. Regardless of the support the petition has received the campaign is not over. And it is still important to speak up.

In response to the overwhelming amount of support this petition has received, Disney has only backed down a little. They have yet to make a definitive statement that they intend to restore to Merida her original look, staying true to her character, on all future merchandise. The sexier, slimmer version of Merida with a come-hither look and an off-the-shoulder dress is still very much out there. In fact, it remains to be seen what is "limited" about this current iteration of Merida. Instead, it seems like a very intentional image created for the benefit of future merchandising. Disney’s move of restoring Merida’s bow and arrow seems like a hastily applied band-aid, hoping to quell the uproar about these unnecessary modifications to a beloved girl.

As I have said before, Merida was created to be a different kind of princess -- a princess with a strong will, a stubborn streak and a lot to learn. She makes mistakes along the way and learns from them. But she is not obsessed with what she wears or focused on looking good to attract a man. She’s a young girl -- not remotely ready to think about romance or marriage. That doesn't mean she never will. That doesn't mean that those things are bad. It just means that she is an individual who has her own interests. And that’s not bad, either! In fact, that’s exactly the way that children should spend their childhood and adolescence -- being kids and pursuing the things that make them happy. That’s why Merida has become such a beloved character for so many young girls -- and even grown women. Why on Earth does that image need to be changed?

The message Disney sends to the public in changing Merida is that she is not good enough the way she is. In doing that, they are making the same statement to all the young girls out there. Merida is a character that young girls look to and say, "I can be like her -- she’s not that different from me!" Or even better, they look at Merida and say, "Merida is like me!" So now when they see what Disney Consumer Products has done to Merida, it tells them that they aren't good enough unless they lose weight, wear tighter, sexier, "girlier" clothes, wear lots of makeup and coif their hair.

I created Merida for my daughter -- inspired by her strong willed spirit -- of which I am in complete awe and very proud. But despite my best efforts to guide her away from what media images and female stereotypes say to our children, it breaks my heart when she thinks she is too fat or too ugly because she doesn’t look like a certain TV star or that "other girl" who is so much more beautiful in her mind. The majority of our children feel that way, and lack self-esteem about their own looks because of issues exactly like this one.

I am certainly NOT saying that wearing makeup, getting dressed up or being a girly girl is bad! I think it’s fun, too -- and if that is who you are and what you like, then go for it! That’s great! I am specifically saying that Merida is a certain character, created as an alternative to all the girly girl princesses that are already out there. Why put her into that mold when the market is already flooded with those kinds of toys and images? Why not make something that speaks to the girls (and the boys) who aren’t into that kind of thing? Why not let Merida be who she is? After all, that’s her appeal. That’s why Merida has become so beloved, by kids and parents everywhere. She is who she is -- and proud of it.

Although the character of Merida is obviously near and dear to my heart -- this campaign and my passion for it is not just about this character. The reason I’m lending my voice and supporting this campaign is to bring this discussion to the forefront of the public’s attention. The images our children are being exposed to and influenced by through toy merchandising and general mass marketing is incredibly detrimental to young girls and boys alike. If you just take a look at the magazine racks, TV shows, movies and Internet advertising, society as we know it is all about superficial beauty.

Our children -- and adults -- are bombarded daily with the message that what you look like is the only thing that really matters. The lesson being taught is that if you’re not beautiful or handsome or perfect in every way, you are not good enough. This is especially the case for young girls, who become obsessed with their weight and looks at much too young of an age. If the issue of Disney changing Merida to be, in their opinion, "more marketable" and the public uproar that has resulted as the result of that bad decision makes people think a bit more deeply about this issue, I think that’s great. And more importantly, I think it’s necessary. The time has come to change these perceptions and if we don’t do all we can to do that, then our children inevitably suffer as a result.

Let’s collectively work to stop sending messages, explicit or implied to our boys, that girls are here just to be eye and arm candy and should only be valued based on their looks. Let’s stop sending messages to our girls that they are the sum of what they look like as opposed to respecting them for their intelligence, their abilities, their skills and their strength. This is how we can help lead girls to achieve positions of leadership, in school, in society, in the workplace. And while this battle may seem insignificant, over a cartoon girl and her appearance, in reality it’s about so much more. And the conversations taking place as a result of this campaign can potentially have a HUGE ripple effect.

Truly, Merida is just the tip of the iceberg.

Make no mistake, Disney is watching what we do. If we stop now, if we appear to be pacified by their unconvincing claims of "limited" release of this image, we’ll be playing into their hands and they will continue on the same path. But if we continue the journey, hang tough and continue to speak out, we may just convince them to rethink their marketing strategy on Merida...and hopefully future merchandising.

Are you in? I hope so. What can you do to help? I’m glad you asked. Our friends at A Mighty Girl, the group that started this whole campaign and to whom I am incredibly grateful for forcing awareness of this issue, has created a Take Action page where you can learn how to make your voice heard: http://www.amightygirl.com/keepmeridabrave/take-action

Brenda Chapman has a unique and broad experience as a storyteller from the American film industry - as director, story supervisor, and scriptwriter. She was the first woman to direct a feature film for one of the big studios, Dreamworks' THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and was head of story on Disney's LION KING. Brenda recently received an Academy Award and a BAFTA for Best Feature Animated Film, as well as a Golden Globe Award for BRAVE, a Disney/Pixar film which she wrote and directed. She is now consulting on a project for LucasFilm and developing a project for DreamWorks Animation.

You can find Brenda's blog at http://brenda-chapman.com and find her on Twitter at @brenda_chapman and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bchapmanproductions

If you think Disney has scrapped the Merida Makeover, think again. When 230,000 supporters signed A Mighty Girl’s petition to Keep Merida Brave, Disney came up with a convenient story. Disney Consumer Products, the division of Disney behind the Disney Princess merchandise line, contacted the industry blog Inside the Magic to "to set the record straight" in an effort to "to create some calm in the communities who are up in arms over the matter."

According to Inside the Magic:

“[Disney] had no intention of changing who Merida is. The artwork that has circulated online depicting the new 2D rendering of Merida was intended to be used only on a “limited line of products” as a “one-time stylized version.”

Inside the Magic further noted:

“Disney does admit that there are a few other variations of this rendering out there, supplied to Target for use on a limited line of products.”

But is the Merida makeover really just a “one-time stylized version” to be used only on a “limited line of products” only to appear at “Target for use on a limited line of products”?

Based on the evidence, the answer unfortunately appears to be no.

A Mighty Girl supporters have reported seeing the new Merida in stores in Sweden. A different, but similar Merida with an off-the-shoulder dress, was spotted by another supporter at a Walmart in Canada. But the most incriminating evidence can be found on Disney’s own Disney Consumer Products website and its related SmugMug account.

This is the image that Disney wants us to believe that they’ll be using to promote Merida -- the one currently found on the Disney.com Princess page:

This is the image of Merida from the Disney Consumer Products website:

And here’s a t-shirt featuring the original Merida:

Compare that to this set of "Fearless Beauties" pajamas that is highlighted by Disney Consumer Products:

Or look at this "Born to Dream" backpack, also from Disney Consumer Products:

It's also interesting to note that in the text describing these two products, Disney Consumer Products indicates that the pajamas will be available at Kmart and the backpack will be available at "Mass retailers nationwide, placement at Kohl’s, JCP, Sears". Does this sound like a limited, one-time stylization of Merida to you?

To be fair, the Disney Consumer Products pages have a few better representations of Merida, however one of the only items that looks like the original Merida from the movie (below left) has been deemed the "Classic Merida." The doll being promoted as the "Brave Merida Doll" (below right), which is also being the one showcased by vendors such as Target, is far from her film version.

This doll on the right is described as bringing "this relatable character to life in a beautiful, sparkling fashion inspired by the film—perfect for girls to re-create their favorite movie moments." Perhaps they are referring to re-creating the moment from the film when Merida rips the dress featured on this doll because she hates it?

The images and the text describing the images make clear that the madeover Merida is -- or at least was -- planned for use beyond the limited scope described by Disney.

The question now is this: has Disney really given up on the madeover Merida? And if so what will future depictions of her look like, both in marketing and in merchandising?

On Friday the official Disney/Pixar Brave Facebook page stated that "We are deeply committed to keeping the integrity and appearance of her character intact" yet these images of the new Merida are still on official Disney websites. Since then, A Mighty Girl has reached out to Disney numerous times to try to get clarification on their intentions with Merida, but neither our calls nor our emails have been returned.

It’s time we had an answer to our question and the question of over 230,000 petition signers: Will Disney keep Merdia brave?

All of the evidence suggests that keeping Merida brave was not Disney's intention once she was inducted into the Disney Princess collection. Disney is taking a unique and relatable character beloved by countless children and forcing her to conform to the narrow Disney Princess definition of beauty. It is the paler reflection of the true Merida which will become her iconic image within the Disney Princess collection and on hundreds of related products, unless we say no.

Disney has made motions to pacify the hundreds of thousands of people who have been speaking out about the makeover of Merida but it's not enough. As Brave creator and co-director Brenda Chapman stated, "Just putting the bow and arrow back on is a too small band-aid."

That's why we're calling on Disney to release an official statement specifying that they will keep Merida true to her original character in all future merchandise releases and marketing.

Now is time for Disney for those who care about the future representation of this character and the message that it sends to girls to take action. Today, we ask everyone to take a minute to take action for Merida. If you've already signed the petition, we've made it easy for you to tweet, email, call or otherwise make your voice heard. On our Keep Merida Brave Take Action page, you'll find sample tweets, email messages, and talking points.

• To Take Action to Keep Merida Brave, visit http://www.amightygirl.com/keepmeridabrave/take-action
• To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/keepmeridabrave
• To learn more about our effort to Keep Merida Brave, visit our campaign page at http://www.amightygirl.com/keepmeridabrave
• To learn about the more systemic issues related to the Keep Merida Brave campaign and why it matters, visit our resource page at http://www.amightygirl.com/keepmeridabrave/resources

Campaign Update: (5/19/13) The Target Disney Princess Collection page featuring the madeover Merida has been removed.

Campaign Update: (5/17/13) A Mighty Girl has launched a special Keep Merida Brave campaign page!

Statement Update: Appended on 5/17/2013 addressing redesign being a part of limited line of products.

Since launching our petition on May 4, A Mighty Girl -- along with more than 200,000 petition signers -- has been calling on Disney to "Say No to the Merida Makeover and Keep Our Hero Brave!" Despite the overwhelming response from both parents and children -- and contrary to reports in various news outlets that Disney has pulled the madeover design -- Disney continues to promote the redesigned, sexier Merida and this version is emblazoned across Target’s Disney Princess Collection website.

In one of their first public statements on the Merida makeover to the Disney industry blog, Inside the Magic, Disney claimed that the madeover Merida is a "one-time stylized version" for the Target Disney Princess line but, as Ricky Brigante writes, "they could not say exactly how she would be depicted alongside the other Disney Princesses." They further asserted, Brigante notes, that Disney "had no intention of changing who Merida is." However, the madeover version of Merida, as seen on the Target website, shows that Disney has already radically changed the beloved character into a pale reflection of her former self.

While numerous news articles have reported "victory" in our campaign to "Keep Merida Brave" due to the fact that the madeover 2D version of Merida does not appear on Disney.com, this assertion is premature. Our campaign has never been focused on the website image but on how Merida will be portrayed now that she is an official part of the Disney Princess collection. While Merida's depiction online is certainly significant, the true test of whether Disney is committed to preserving the original, brave Merida is how she will appear in the extensive Disney merchandise lines and in the Disney Princess collection at large.

As A Mighty Girl has asserted from launch of our petition, the redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction into the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value -- to be recognized as true princesses -- they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty.

In a recent interview with A Mighty Girl, "Brave" writer and co-director, Brenda Chapman described the changes to the character she created: "Look at the attitude. Look at how she’s posed. Look at how much tinier her waist is and how much bigger her boobs are. Look at the off the shoulder dress. It’s just that they have sexed her up. And you can look at the childlike proportions of the real Merida’s face and her body and see that she’s not fully a woman yet, but she’s not a straight-waisted little girl either. You can’t escape the hourglass voluptuousness of this redesigned version. Yes, it’s a drawing, but I can make a drawing of the real Merida that looks like the real Merida and I know the artists that they have make these drawings could do the same; they've just been directed not to."

As with all of their princesses, Disney will establish an image for Merida which will become her iconic image and be used in its numerous product lines -- the question is, will it be one reflective of her true character from the film, the one embraced by the millions of children for whom she became an empowering role model, or will she forever be portrayed as this new sexualized Merida who lacks the special spark that made her such a unique and relatable character for children and especially young girls?

On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people supporting the "Keep Merida Brave" campaign, we call on Disney to release an official statement that they will respect the vision of Merida’s creator to offer girls a "different kind of princess" and be responsive to the large outpouring of support for keeping Merida’s image true to her original character.

Update 5/17/2013

Over the past two days, in the face of growing consumer outrage at the redesign of Merida into a sexier, skinnier shadow of her former self, Disney has begun to assert that this redesigned version is a “one-time stylized version” as part of a “limited line of products.” This effort to placate the hundreds of thousands of Merida fans who have supported the petition and spoken out against the radical transformation of this beloved, empowering character is transparent and inadequate.

Merida’s creator, Brenda Chapman, in a statement adamantly opposing the redesign, stated that Merida was created to “give young girls a better, stronger role model, a more attainable role model, something of substance, not just a pretty fact that waits around for romance.” Disney’s willingness to redesign Merida in a manner directly opposing those intentions -- even in a limited product run -- shows that they are willing to sacrifice the integrity of this character and all she represents to young girls for profit.

Given this, those who have spoken out are well aware that regardless of whether this redesign is limited in nature, unless we have an official statement from Disney that they will respect the integrity of this character in the future, we cannot be assured that future and perhaps even more offensive renditions of Merida will not continue to appear or become established as her iconic image as part of the Disney Princess collection.

Accordingly, on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people supporting the "Keep Merida Brave" campaign, we continue our call to Disney to release an official statement that they will respect the vision of Merida’s creator to offer girls a "different kind of princess" and be responsive to the large outpouring of support for keeping Merida’s image true to her original character.

Other Resources from A Mighty Girl:

• Petition to Say No to the Merida Makeover, Keep Our Hero Brave! on Change.org
• Exclusive Interview with Brave Creator and Co-Director Brenda Chapman
• Original Blog on the Merida Makeover
• Blog on Media Perspectives on the Disney Princess Makeover

Oscar-winning Brave writer and director Brenda Chapman, a supporter of A Mighty Girl’s “Keep Merida Brave” petition campaign, granted us her first in-depth interview discussing the Merida makeover. In this Q&A interview with A Mighty Girl co-founder Carolyn Danckaert, Chapman shares her views on the redesign of the character she created and its broader significance.

Danckaert: Before we discuss the makeover, can you tell me in your view what was so special about Merida as a character and how did her original visual depiction speak to that uniqueness?

Chapman: I let Merida's personality guide me as far as her wild hair. I wanted it to visually depict her attitude, her emotional make up so it wasn't just about “Oh look, she has cool red hair.” I wanted to make a statement with it as opposed to suggesting that she’s just trying to look pretty -- which she’s not. That’s just her natural wild, curly hair.

And as far as her body, I wanted to show a regular teenage girl’s body not one that of a girl trying to use push-up bra and go on a major diet or anything. I wanted her to look normal, like how girls look in real life.

My daughter was only five years old when we started designing Merida, but I wanted her to personality-wise embody my daughter so that she would have a role model. And it’s really funny because Merida's body type really is my daughter’s right now. I just wanted a character that girls could relate to and not feel inadequate when they watched her.

Danckaert: Along those lines, there was a fantastic quote in the San Francisco Chronicle from a dad whose 3-year-old son absolutely loved Merida and how for him it wasn't because she was a princess but because Merida was his first real movie hero. She sends such an important messages not only to girls but also to boys too that girls can also be heroic, courageous, and adventurous. Was this one of your intentions when you created Merida?

Chapman: Absolutely! I think it's wonderful that a little boy looks at Merida as a hero. Finally! That is so vindicating for me! And it's just fantastic for both girls and boys that that can actually happen.

I’d also add that I don’t like the word “tomboy” because I don’t like strong girls being called a boy. It’s just my own little hangup -- that’s a girl. That’s a real girl. And that’s the other thing that I told people on the film: Merida is not a tomboy. She’s a girl who’s just fine being a girl. I don’t want her being put in pants. That’s what they wore at that time so let her be in the dress, let her be comfortable, let her have figured out how to maneuver in it and it’s not like she hates being a girl. That’s the other side of the coin that I wanted to present as well.

Merida Before and After the Disney Princess Makeover. Image Source: Inside the Magic

Danckaert: Now, getting to the makeover, how did you learn about the redesign and what was your first reaction to it?

Chapman: Well, actually I first learned about it through A Mighty Girl -- from your comparison image of the two Meridas and the petition. Someone sent that to me because I was out of the country travelling. I was stunned when I saw it, but I wasn't surprised. I was still just shocked because they never cease to amaze me on how low they go with these images intended for young girls. I was very disappointed because I was hoping that Pixar would try a little harder to protect her since she was a Pixar princess, but I guess even they got outvoted if they even tried.

Danckaert: I've heard from some people who say they don’t really see the redesign.  They claim that the images look more or less the same to them. As Merida’s creator, how would you describe the differences between the two Meridas?

Chapman: Number one, just to be a little snide: get some glasses. Secondly, look a little closer. It’s kind of a subliminal thing if some adults are looking at it going “What’s the big deal?” saying, “She’s got a long dress and big red hair.”

But if you need to look closer, look at the attitude. Look at how she’s posed. Look at how much tinier her waist is and how much bigger her boobs are. Look at the off the shoulder dress. It’s just that they have sexed her up. And you can look at the childlike proportions of the real Merida’s face and her body and see that she’s not fully a woman yet, but she’s not a straight-waisted little girl either. You can’t escape the hourglass voluptuousness of this redesigned version.

Yes, it’s a drawing, but I can make a drawing of the real Merida that looks like the real Merida and I know the artists that they have make these drawings could do the same; they've just been directed not to.

Danckaert: This ties into another critique that I’ve heard. There are people who argue that this is just a transition from a 3D to a 2D image -- that there’s naturally going to be some changes during that process and this redesigned version just displays those changes.

Chapman: No, that is totally wrong. As an artist I know how to draw Merida and it’s not just because I created her. I didn’t do the physical designing of her, though I directed it. But I could, even as a rough sketch. I could draw that character without having to make her have bigger boobs and a smaller waist and a sexy come-hither look on her face and look about 15 years older. I can make her look like the 15, 16 year-old Merida that she is.

Danckaert: Given these differences, let’s discuss the core issue -- so they've made her more mature and sexed her up, why do these changes matter?

Chapman: Well, partly it matters because Merida was created specifically to break that mold. She was created to turn the regular Disney princess on its head. To show that Merida is closer to a real princess than those princesses. Princesses were working girls and so were their mothers and so I gave her a modern twist.

I wanted to create a stronger character, one that feels and looks attainable, that’s not waiting for the prince or the man to come along or needs romance to make them complete. I also left it open so that romance wasn’t completely cut out of the picture when she’s ready and of her own choosing as opposed to her being forced into something that she didn't choose. I wanted to give her that strength.

Danckaert: We've had some people respond to our petition who say, “it’s just a cartoon -- what’s the big deal?” On A Mighty Girl, we feature the world’s largest collection of girl-empowering books and other media so I certainly appreciate the power of story as a source of cultural messages and values. As an animator and director, how would you describe the power of image in this respect?

Chapman: Kids relate to cartoons and they take them in and, no, it’s not a photograph or a real person but photographs have only been around for about 100 years. Before that it was paintings and drawings that were the images that people took in. Even back in the day when they were doing fashion design they made these little tiny, tiny waists and that’s why the corset came in and you tried to get the tiny waists and women were fainting all the time.

Imagery is an incredibly powerful subconscious message to children and to people in general. Children love cartoons so they’re gonna soak that in. And yes, parents should be guiding their children and teaching them the right things, and, yes, parents should be the people they listen to.

But parents aren't superhuman and unless you’re locking your kid in a closet you’re not going to be able to protect them from all this imagery that’s out there -- we’re just inundated with it. Merida is an incredibly popular character right now and to change her, even though she’s a cartoon, still has a very huge effect on how little girls think about themselves and their self images.

Danckaert: You've stated that previously that one of your goals with Merida was to “break that mold.” Can you speak further on what exactly the status quo is and what is the value of an initiative like this from a more systemic perspective?

Chapman: The status quo seems to be that you have to be stick thin, perfect skin, perfect hair, perfect clothes and basically eye candy for males and that’s just such a disservice to our little girls and to ourselves. The problem is all the images we see are now manipulated, even the perfect supermodels aren't perfect supermodels. All their blemishes are taken away, their breasts are slightly enlarged, their hips are slightly toned down or curved toward where they need to be. You can’t trust anything you see in a magazine, on film, anywhere to be realistic.

I think imagery is a huge, powerful thing and that’s why so many women have eating disorders and such low self-esteem or don’t try to push themselves to be what their potential can be because they are focused on their image.

It’s just putting us in this really bad place and keeping women sort of in this box that we need to get out of. I think it’s also affecting men who end up thinking "Yeah, that’s the way it is. What’s wrong with that? Sex her up -- she looks better!" It’s like, really, your mom taught you that was OK? Really, it’s disturbing.

Danckaert: The other critique that we've seen expressed is if you don’t like the new Merida, just don’t buy the merchandise. And, that’s such a common response to these types of initiatives, anytime you critique a character or a toy, for example, you hear, "if you don’t like it, don’t buy it." I was wondering how you’d respond to this argument especially since a character like Merida has such larger symbolic value.

Chapman: On one hand, I agree don’t buy it, because that will send a message too. But I think this goes beyond that because there will be people who buy it because "Oh, it’s Disney. Oh, it’s that princess." There are people who aren't paying attention, people who aren't thinking about these issues so I think it’s our responsibility to bring it up. That's one reason I created Merida, to help people recognize some of the differences between a  character like her and those coming out of the princess mold.

Those people that have recognized that there’s a problem with this makeover appreciate what Merida is so I feel like she’s worth fighting for and saying, "No, look, make the toys who the character is." So definitely, don’t buy this new Merida but see if we can get them to change so they’ll make Meridas that we’ll want to buy.

I got into a little back and forth with someone at the Huffington Post who said "Get over yourself. It’s a cartoon." I realized that they just wanted to be argumentative about it but some people have this idea that anybody who’s worried about the design of a cartoon needs to get over themselves. And, maybe it’s not an issue that you care about it but I care about it and a lot of other people do too. So let us have that without feeling like you need to insult us, but if you feel you do, more power to you, I’m still carrying on; I’m not going to be intimidated by your low opinion of me to be quiet about what I feel strongly about.

Danckaert: What would you like to see Disney do at this point?

Chapman: I would love to see Disney pull all of those changed images of Merida worldwide, and have her drawn to represent the character she is in the movie. In fact - there are plenty of drawings at Pixar that do just that - the ones we built her character in the computer. She was drawn first, then built.

Danckaert: Finally, what message would you like to send to all those who have signed the petition and supported the “Keep Merida Brave” campaign?

Chapman: I’d just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've had my issues with being able to finish the movie and all of that and have been so relieved that the Merida that I created is still the Merida in the film. Then to watch this happen, to have so much support, so many voices supporting that desire to put this type of character out there has just been overwhelmingly vindicating.

It gives me optimism that we can make a change and eventually change the message that’s going out there for our girls... and our boys. I keep saying little girls, but it’s for little boys too because they’ll learn a respect and a different view of women if we can keep pushing to make things better for everyone.

Mainly, just thank you. I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude for it.

Brenda Chapman is a writer, animation story artist and director who wrote and co-directed Brave and recently won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature for the film. She was also the first woman to direct an animated feature from a major studio, DreamWorks Animation's The Prince of Egypt.

Carolyn Danckaert is the co-founder of A Mighty Girl, a girl empowerment website with the world’s largest collection of nearly 5,000 girl-empowering books, toys, movies, clothing and music for parents, teachers, and others dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls.

Campaign Announcement: A Mighty Girl has launched a special Keep Merida Brave campaign page!

A Mighty Girl's petition to Disney on the redesign of the character of Merida from the film Brave as part of her induction into the Disney Princess collection has attracted over 180,000 signers and a huge amount of media attention.

To help keep our supporters abreast of compelling articles and commentary on our campaign to Keep Merida Brave, we've compiled a collection of articles that address the redesign from a variety of perspectives. All of them effectively point out why many people object to the changes and why the appearance of an animated character has meaning far beyond disappointing fans.

Recommended News Coverage

Merida redesigned - What message is the new look Princess Merida from Disney's Brave sending out?, Jenni Murray, BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour

The BBC Women's Hour provides an in-depth look at the Merida Makeover. This 10-minute radio segment features A Mighty Girl's co-founder Carolyn Danckaert, Pink Stinks co-founder Emma Moore, and two girls Jasmine and Amber, who discuss their opinions of the redesign.

Merida’s Disney Princess Controversial Makeover - Is ‘Brave’ Heroine Really Bad for Little Girls?, Leslie Gorenstein, Yahoo! Movies

Gorenstein speaks to child development experts to ask whether changes to Merida really affect girls. As one child development expert, Dr. Robyn Silverman explains, "This one character may not do any damage to a girl's psychological development, per se. But Merida joins a barrage of thin, sultry characters for girls, making her yet another facet of our sexed-up, thinned down messaging."

Disney Princess Merida makeover: A 7-year-old’s verdict on the 'Brave' heroine, Lisa Suhay, Christian Science Monitor

Suhay explores the impact of the redesign on a young girl in her life. She writes, "The newest, most feminist-forward Disney princess, Merida of the animated film "Brave" asks, “If you had the chance to change your fate, would you?” Disney corporate answered with a resounding “No!” when it stuck to gender-typed tradition and converted the disheveled, feisty, normally-proportioned, self-reliant archer to a slimmer, glitzy, doe-eyed version, sparking a petition by outraged fans. Worse, it disappointed a chunky little red-haired girl I babysit for because it put her princess dream back out of reach."

Why Is Brave’s Princess Merida Suddenly Sexy?, Chris Heller, The Atlantic

Heller argues that the best part of Brave was how it subverted the princess stereotype, and in the process became more accessible, familiar, and real to girls. The changes, he says, tell girls that “sexuality, beauty, and body type are inseparable from what it means to be a princess.”

Sex Sells: Disney’s Misguided Redesign of Merida From ‘Brave’, Women You Should Know

This editorial site which focuses on dynamic women describes, head to toe, how Merida’s appearance was altered to make her fit the homogeneous princess ideal. Her “glamazon makeover,” they say, “is truly gag inducing, especially in today’s day and age.”

Disney’s Makeover of its Brave Princess is Cowardly, Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, The Guardian

Cosslett argues that strong female role models in media are critical for both boys and girls -- and speaks to her own mother’s balancing her love of all things princess with strong, confident role models. Cosslett says, “It's unsurprising that those parents who initially praised Disney for its creation of a princess who looked like a real girl are dismayed... It's a shame that Disney couldn't be [that] brave.”

The Problem with Merida’s Princess Makeover, Alyssa Rosenburg, Slate Magazine

Rosenburg asks, "If it's important that girls of color and girls of different economic classes be able to recognize themselves and find aspirational stories in the Disney Princess line, why shouldn't it also matter that girls with wild hair and variable body types see themselves there too?"

Brave New World: Petition Tells Disney to Leave Merida Alone, Karen E. Dill-Shackleford, Psychology Today

Dill-Shackleford attacks the idea that the changes to a cartoon don’t have a real-life effect: “Research in my lab has shown that when men are exposed to sexualized, objectified images of women, they become more tolerant of real-life sexual harassment compared to controls who saw professional images of women.... The stories we tell about women and girls do matter. And the pictures we put in our daughter’s minds matter as well.”

The Brave and the Bold, Matthew Bogarts

Bogarts, a cartoonist, talks about the controversy from the perspective of character design. He demonstrates how character design also informs us about character qualities, and uses an interesting example featuring Batman and Bruce Wayne to demonstrate how the choice of image has an impact on marketing.

‘Brave’ creator blasts Disney for ‘blatant sexism’ in princess makeover, Paul Liberatore, Marin Independent Journal

A common question as the petition grew was what Brenda Chapman, creator and co-director of Brave, thought of the makeover. On May 11, she spoke to the Marin Independent Journal first, saying, “I think it's atrocious what they have done to Merida.” Quotations from this article have since spread throughout media coverage of the issue.

Disney Princess Makeover Sparks Outrage: Merida Petition Goes Viral, Beth Greenfield, Yahoo! Shine

As the petition topped 50,000 signatures on May 10, Yahoo! Shine featured a discussion of how it had captured the attention of Brave fans. A Mighty Girl founder Carolyn Danckaert contributed to the article, including this quote about why Merida matters: “[The redesign] is sending a message,” which is one that puts forth a very narrow definition of beauty. “This is how children pick up cultural messages about what is important. Young children don’t really distinguish between reality and fantasy, and these characters are their role models.”

Merida from ‘Brave’ Gets an Unnecessary Makeover, Sparks change.org Petition, Jessica Samakow, Huffington Post

One of the first articles about the makeover to circulate, Samakow talks about the confusion and disappointment prompted by the initial redesign reveal and directs readers to the petition, which at that point (May 8) had 19,000 signatures.

As this is only a small sample of the articles about our campaign, A Mighty Girl would like to thank all of the journalists and authors who took the time to discuss these issues in thoughtful, powerful ways.  We would also like to thank our incredible community for all of their support in signing and sharing this petition far and wide.

Merida wanted to change her fate; together, we can change hers.

By Carolyn Danckaert, A Mighty Girl Co-Founder

Campaign Announcement: A Mighty Girl has launched a special Keep Merida Brave campaign page!

After our post last Friday about the redesign of the beloved character Merida from the film Brave generated over 800 comments in a single day, we were inspired to launch a petition over the weekend calling on Disney to "Say No to the Merida Makeover and Keep Our Hero Brave!" In its first two days, it collected nearly 20,000 signers and today it surpassed 70,000 signers!

The petition focuses on the redesign of Merida in advance of her induction into the Disney Princess collection. In it, we say to Disney:

"Merida was the princess that countless girls and their parents were waiting for -- a strong, confident, self-rescuing princess ready to set off on her next adventure with her bow at the ready. She was a princess who looked like a real girl, complete with the ‘imperfections’ that all people have.

The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls' capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value -- to be recognized as true princesses -- they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty.

In an interview with Pixar Portal, "Brave" writer and co-director Brenda Chapman stated, "Because of marketing, little girls gravitate toward princess products, so my goal was to offer up a different kind of princess — a stronger princess that both mothers and daughters could relate to, so mothers wouldn't be pulling their hair out when their little girls were trying to dress or act like this princess. Instead they'd be like, ‘Yeah, you go girl!’”

This new Merida is a paler reflection of her former self without the spark and the 'you go girl' quality that her creator intended. 

We write to you on behalf of all the young girls who embraced Merida as a role model, who learned from her that they too could go off on an adventure and save the day; that it's not how you look that matters but who you are. For them and for all the children -- both girls and boys -- who benefit from seeing depictions of strong, courageous, and independent-minded girls and women that are so scarce in animated movies, we ask you to return to the original Merida that we all know and love. We ask you to keep Merida Brave!"

Please help keep up the momentum by signing and sharing if you haven't already and many thanks to those of you who have.

Many signers have shared thoughtful reasons why they are supporting the petition. Here are a few of our favorites:

"The homogenization of the Princess collective over the last several years dilutes the brand rather than strengthening it. The characters have basically become interchangeable, stripped of all their individuality. Is that really the message we want young girls to absorb?" - Bonnie C., Littleton, CO

"There's no need to sexualize a strong, young, active role model. Instead of making Merida fit the princess model, maybe Disney should change the princess model to fit girls like Merida." - Jessica B., St. Paul, MN

"Merida is a beautiful representation of a different type of beauty - natural, real and relatable. If you change Merida's appearance, you are destroying the values of true beauty and objectifying a strong woman." - Colleen, M., Columbus, OH

"As the father of West Point graduates who are still on active duty, we need more role models who take a non-traditional path to life. Let little girls dream big dirty, sweaty dreams that make THEM happy, even if they need a bath afterwards. Keep Merida Brave!!!" - Donald R., Batavia, IL

If you'd like to read more on the why this issue matters, we recommend the following articles:

• Little girls or little women? The Disney princess effect
• Seriously, Disney, I’m Trying to Take a Little Break Here– MUST YOU?

For those seeking empowering princess stories for your Mighty Girl that feature princesses who are smart, daring, and aren't waiting around to be rescued, visit our Ultimate Guide to the Independent Princess.

Who We Are:

A Mighty Girl is one of the world’s largest girl empowerment websites with a collection of nearly 5,000 girl-empowering books, toys, movies, clothing and music for parents, teachers, and others dedicated to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls. The site was founded on the belief that all children should have the opportunity to read books, play with toys, listen to music, watch movies, and wear clothing that offer positive messages about girls and honor their diverse capabilities. It is our hope that these high-quality children’s products will help a new generation of girls to grow and pursue whatever dreams they choose -- to truly be Mighty Girls!

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, you may be looking for a few more things you can do to make Mom’s day a little more special. Music is amazingly evocative -- there are few things that can capture complex emotions so quickly -- so why not look for the perfect song to describe your relationship?

A Mighty Girl is proud to present our top ten songs for Mighty Girls and their Mighty Moms: songs that are loving, sweet, and powerful in their depiction of one of the foundational relationships in a girl’s life.

We will describe each song here, but for more details, including information about concerns parents may have about content in either lyrics or video, and to preview songs via embedded YouTube videos, please follow the links to our full entries. Each of these songs, like all of those featured in A Mighty Girl's music collection, is also available through either iTunes or Amazon.com’s MP3 download service via the links on each song's page. By using the links on A Mighty Girl, you also help to support the site at no added cost to you, and can have your Mother’s Day playlist set up in no time!

And, to discover wonderful books celebrating Mighty Moms, check out our previous post entitled: A Mother’s Day Special Feature: Celebrating Mighty Moms and Their Daughters.

Music Celebrating Mighty Moms & Their Daughters

1. Amelia Almost 13, Carrie Newcomer (My Father’s Only Son); all ages

“I wish I had the answers
But the best that I can give
Is to be a safe place for you
As long as I live.”

Carrie Newcomer, an American folk singer-songwriter, captures all the contradictions a mother sees in her tween or teen daughter: grown up one moment and child-like the next. She meditates on the strength that her own mother gave her, and promises to give her own daughter the safe, loving place from which she can grow and discover who she really is. Mothers will enjoy sharing these thoughts with their daughters, while grown daughters will love getting to share their newfound understanding of a mother’s wish for her child at this difficult time of her life.

2. Good Mother, Jann Arden (Living Under June); 10 and up

“I've got a good mother,
and her voice is what keeps me here.
Feet on ground,
Heart in hand,
Facing forward,
Be yourself.”

Jann Arden, a Canadian pop/rock singer-songwriter, celebrates the value of being happy with yourself and what you have, and the role that loving parents play in giving a child the strength to be her own person. Good Mother was one of her most successful singles, and the video received a Juno Award for Video of the Year in 1996. Any Mighty Girl -- or grown woman -- who gets her strength and self-confidence from Mom will love this song.

3. Julie Through The Glass, Carly Simon (Anticipation); all ages

”We want you to love the world
To know it well and play a part
And we'll help you to learn to love yourself
'Cause that's where loving really starts.”

Carly Simon, an American pop/rock singer-songwriter, wrote this song after visiting her niece, Julie, at the maternity ward in a New York hospital. She found herself wondering where this amazing little girl would go with her life, and wanted to promise her the support and love she needed to be a good person in the world. The sweet, gentle tone of the song beautifully captures a parent-child relationship, but can also be shared with any woman — aunt, sister, or friend — who has been significant in your Mighty Girl’s life.

4. Learn Me Right, Mumford & Sons ft. Birdy (Brave — Original Score); all ages

“We will run and scream
You will dance with me
We’ll fulfill our dreams and we’ll be free.”

Fans of the Disney-Pixar film Brave will recognize this song, performed by English folk-rock band Mumford & Sons and featuring Birdy, a British musician and singer. In the film, this song accompanies the dawning realization on the part of Merida, the main character, and Queen Elinor, her mother, that as they give one another more understanding and compromise, they can heal their damaged relationship and find more freedom and joy within it. Just like the movie itself, this song is likely to speak strongly to teen daughters and their mothers, as they struggle to find a new balance to this not-childlike but not-yet-adult relationship.

5. Strong Women, Meg Braun (Broken Places); all ages

“I come from a line of strong women
They taught me everything I know about this life I am living
Their blood runs deep in my veins
They're in every step I take, every joy, every pain.”

Meg Braun, an American singer-songwriter currently working out of Brooklyn, New York, captures how character can be passed on through generations of women, helping to support each of them through the difficult times in their lives. In Strong Women, Braun refers to the challenges her grandmother and mother experienced in their lives, and how their determination and strength allowed them to succeed and move through good times and bad. Listening to this song is sure to prompt discussion about your own family’s strong women and the stories they have to share.

6. In My Daughter’s Eyes Martina McBride (Martina); all ages

“In my daughter's eyes,
I am a hero,
I am strong and wise,
And I know no fear,
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be,
In my daughter's eyes.”

Martina McBride’s double-platinum album Martina celebrated womanhood throughout; In My Daughter’s Eyes, the second single from the album, was very popular, reaching the top 5 in both country and adult contemporary charts. In it, McBride marvels at how her daughter’s view of the world — and her mother — has changed the way that she sees everything around her. Any mother who has seen life through a different lens thanks to her child will love this song — and so will any daughter who wants her mother to know that, whatever she may think of herself, she is a hero to her children.

7. I Hope You Dance, Lee Ann Womack (I Hope You Dance); all ages

“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger...
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance.”

Lee Ann Womack is an American country singer-songwriter who achieved crossover popularity with this single, which encourages taking the risky but rewarding path, rather than playing it safe and missing out on the best that life has to offer. I Hope You Dance is empowering and inspiring, great for sharing with a mother, a daughter, or anyone special in your life.

8. A Mother’s Love, Mark Masri ft. Jim Brickman (La Voce); all ages

“There's no power like it on this earth
No treasure equal to its worth
The gift of a mother's love “

This lovely ode to mothers from Mark Masri, a Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist, and Jim Brickman, an American songwriter and pianist, celebrates all the ways that a mother supports her children: everything from sitting up with them at night to knowing when to let a child find their own way. This gentle tribute is particularly meaningful to older children, who will be starting to understand just how many ways their mother’s love supports them, and of course, to moms themselves.

9. How You’ve Grown, 10,000 Maniacs (Our Time In Eden): all ages

“No little girl can stop her world to wait for me.
Every time we say goodbye
you're frozen in my mind
as the child that you never will be,
you never will be again.”

Folk-rock group 10,000 Maniacs provides a sweet and slightly melancholy look at mother-daughter relationships, as the daughter’s impatience to grow up contrasts with the mother’s wistful realization about just how fast the time is passing. This song is a wonderful starting point for talking about the relationship between parents and children — and how differently they view the world. It’s also perfect for a mother who’s feeling meditative about how quickly her children are growing and changing.

10. Child of Mine, Carole King (Writer); all ages

“You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine”

This beautiful song about the joys that parenting can bring is from Carole King, one of the most successful women songwriters of all time. Lyrical and sweet, this song is one of the hidden treasures from King’s first album, Writer. The song simultaneously reminds parents of what their children can teach them and children that, even when things are difficult, it is more important to be doing what is right and meaningful than to walk an easy road.

Sharing music is a wonderful way for mothers and daughters to bond together! A Mighty Girl would like to wish all the mothers out there a very musical Mother’s Day.

Additional Resources

• For more songs about parents and children, visit our Parent / Child Themed Music section.
• For details about navigating our music section (including understanding our Notes for Parents), visit our Music Section Overview.
• For books celebrating the special bond between Mighty Girls and their moms, visit our Mother's Day blog on Celebrating Mighty Moms and Their Daughters.
• To browse our full selection of books about mothers and daughters, visit our Mothers section within Relationships.

On Sunday, May 12, people around the world will celebrate Mother’s Day, a tribute to the contributions that mothers make to their families and to their broader communities. For many Mighty Girls, their relationship with their mothers is a very special one, since Mom is their model for just how mighty girls and women can be.

In honor of Mother’s Day, A Mighty Girl is showcasing a few of our favorite books about the special relationship between mothers and daughters. Whether you’re thinking about the love a mother and daughter share, the special times they spend together, or even the times they don’t see eye-to-eye, there’s something in this collection for everyone!

The Love Between Mother and Daughter

A mother is often the first example of unconditional love that a child will experience, and most children love their mother fiercely. These books celebrate the love between mother and child that helps support children until they are ready to be out on their own.

The Mommy Book (0 - 5) by Todd Parr talks about all the ways that mothers are special, no matter what they do — and reminds kids that “all mommies want you to be who you are!” Parr’s distinctive brightly-colored stick figure illustrations capture a diverse selection of moms — working in offices or home with the kids, fishing or shopping, driving motorcycles or minivans — all of whom love their kids to the bottoms of their hearts.

In If Kisses Were Colors (0 - 5) author Janet Lawler and illustrator Alison Jay remind kids that a mother’s love could fill a whole rainbow! Lawler’s lyrical verse is complemented by Jay’s delicate paintings as they capture all the feelings of a mother’s love: warmer than a blanket, stronger than a tree, and, of course, brighter than a rainbow. This book is targeted to young children, but its message is equally appropriate as a gift for a baby shower or Mother’s Day.

Of course, one of the best things about a loving mother is Mommy Hugs! This book by Karen Katz (0 - 4) lets little kids count, cuddle, and follow a day of fun between Mommy and Baby. Naturally, the day includes lots of hugs! And the Mighty Girl reading it will probably figure out pretty quickly that Mommy usually gives up a few extra hugs as the book’s pages turn.

As kids grow older, they appreciate more and more how much their mothers gave them. Becky Kelly’s gift book My Mother Gave Me The Moon (4 - 8) relates that deepening understanding as the daughter realizes that all of the special days, the attention, and all the other elements on the surface were driven by her mother’s love: “all the love her heart could hold.” While the reading level is appropriate for children, this is another book with a universal message that’s also perfectly suited as a gift for Mom.

Of course, as daughters grow older, they also begin to see how their relationships with their mothers can support them -- and even drive them to great accomplishments. Girls 12 and up will enjoy reading Borrowed Names: Poems about Laura Ingalls Wilder, Madam C. J. Walker, Marie Curie, and Their Daughters by Jeannine Atkins, which tells the story of these three extraordinary women and their equally extraordinary daughters. Atkins captures a nuanced, emotionally powerful picture of these mothers and daughters — both the close bond and the tensions between each pair — as well as the marks they left on history.

Sometimes, a girl needs to know that her mother’s love will still be there, even if the family is changing. In Pecan Pie Baby (5 and up) by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, Gia is so tired of hearing about “that DING-DANG baby!” Gia likes her nice, cozy life with her single-parent Mama; surely a baby will take that away? Fortunately, a cuddle and some extra closeness with Mama lets Gia know that Mama’s love won’t ever go away. It’s perfect for reminding a soon-to-be big sister that while time may get tighter, Mom’s love can encompass everyone.

Of course, not every little girl was born to the woman she calls Mom. Rose A. Lewis wrote I Love You Like Crazy Cakes (3 - 8) after she traveled to China to adopt her daughter. In it, she talks about falling in love with her new little girl, and all the special moments as she introduces her new daughter to family and friends. This sweet book, illustrated by Jane Dyer, shows how much joy an adopted child can bring into her mother’s life — and, of course, how much love an adoptive mother feels for her baby girl!

And some little girls will be celebrating Mother’s Day with two mothers! Mommy, Mama, and Me (0 and up) by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Carol Thompson, shows a toddler spending a happy day with Mommy and Mama. The very normal day (hide-and-seek, dress-up, bathtime and kisses goodnight) reminds everyone who reads it that families everywhere are much the same, even if there are differences on the surface.

And for adults, Sarah Kay’s spoken word poem B is available in a beautiful picture book treatment illustrated by Sophia Janowitz. From its opening sentence — “If I should ever have a daughter, / instead of Mom, she’s going to call me Point B / Because that way she knows that no matter what happens, at least she can always find her way to me.” — this is a work that will capture your attention. Its powerful message about how a loving parent is there throughout the challenges and wonders of life is sure to inspire any mother.

Special Time Together

One of the things grown daughters treasure are the special times they remember with their mothers. From major family events to seemingly insignificant moments in time, these are the memories that will stay with her forever.

In The Big, Big Sea (2 - 7) by Martin Waddell and illustrated by Jennifer Eachus, a mother and daughter walk by the ocean in the moonlight. It’s a very normal night — the daughter splashes and plays as Mom looks on, eventually falling asleep cuddled in her lap — but the child narrator knows that “I’ll always remember just Mama and me and the night that we walked by the big big sea.” Eachus’ silvery illustrations and Waddell’s flowing text make for a beautiful, meditative memory.

Yuyi Morales’ Little Night (3 - 7) takes mother-daughter time into the world of metaphor, as mischievous Little Night runs and hides from Mother Sky as it’s time for evening routines. Morales’ dreamlike illustrations of a bathtub full of stars and a dress crocheted out of clouds will captivate kids, and the unique yet familiar nighttime routine — and playful wrestle between mother and daughter — is sure make a mother smile.

If mother-daughter trips to the library are a fond part of the daily routine, be sure to check out Lola at the Library (0 - 3) by Anna Mcquinn and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. Lola’s excitement at her library visit is infectious — storytime and songs, the new books to check out, the treat on the way home — but best of all is when Mommy reads her a story at bedtime. Book-loving children — and mothers — will love it from beginning to end.

Sometimes, what a daughter remembers most about her mother is her pure joy in living. My Mama Had A Dancing Heart (4 - 8) by Libba Gray and illustrated by Raul Colon tells the story of a mother and daughter who danced through the outdoors together to welcome each season. In the end, which shifts to present tense, the daughter is now a ballerina, whose inspiration to dance onstage still comes from her mother’s dancing heart.

And for parents, Patricia Ellis Herr’s Up: A Mother and Daughter’s Peakbagging Adventure is partly the story of Herr’s daughter’s accomplishments reaching the peaks of New Hampshire’s mountains, and partly the story of raising a daughter to believe that she is capable of anything. Mostly, though, it is the story of a mother and daughter sharing a love of the outdoors — and all the remarkable experiences that came from that love.

Not Always Eye to Eye

Of course, just because mother-daughter relationships are often close doesn’t mean that they are free from conflict. It’s a rare mother or child who hasn’t rolled her eyes at the other or wondered what on earth she was thinking. Fortunately, there are also lots of books that recognize that mothers and daughters who don’t see eye to eye still love each other.

Any parent of a toddler will recognize some of their day in Please, Baby, Please (0 - 3) by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. From “Go back to bed, baby, please, baby, please” in the middle of the night, to troubles at mealtimes, tantrums at the playground, and splashes over the side of the tub, both text and illustrations capture the frustrations of life with a busy little girl. But at the end, when Baby pleads, “Kiss me goodnight, Mama, Mama, Mama, please?” there’s no question what the last page will bring.

Harriet, from Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! (4 - 8) by Mem Fox and illustrated by Marla Frazee, is the older version: a 4- or 5-year-old who doesn’t MEAN to be a problem, but still manages to make a tremendous mess — and a lot of work for her mother. When one final mishap puts Harriet’s Mom over the edge, she yells and yells. But in the end, after apologies in each direction, the loving pair are giggling together as they clean up the mess. This is the perfect book to remind Mom that hard days come and go, but the love is always there.

Sometimes a daughter can feel like Mom is just too different, when all she wants to do is fit in. Grace Lin’s The Ugly Vegetables (3 - 8) features a girl whose family garden, full of vegetables they use in their traditional Chinese cooking, just seems awful compared to the colorful flower gardens in her neighbor’s backyard. Why can’t they grow pretty flowers instead of these ugly vegetables? But when harvest time comes, the whole neighborhood is lured to their house by the delicious aroma of “ugly vegetable soup” — and they bring their colorful flowers to share. Any mother and daughter who have struggled with cultural differences will enjoy sharing this story.

Beverly Cleary’s classic Ramona and Her Mother (7 - 11) addresses mother-daughter conflict for slightly older children. Ramona tries to keep the family peace for her busy working mother, but despite herself, she always seems to be causing trouble. She can’t help but feel like all these accidental disasters are sure to mean her family doesn’t love her. Why can’t she go back to being her mother’s little girl? Fortunately, Ramona’s mother shows her that getting bigger doesn’t make love go away — even when it also makes life a lot more complicated!

Fans of the movie Brave know how well it depicts the frustrating relationship between mothers and daughters in the teenage years — when the daughter needs to be her own person, but doesn’t yet understand all the responsibilities an adult faces. Brave: The Junior Novelization by Irene Trimble does an exciting and accurate job of translating the film into a novel suitable for ages 8 - 12, or for reading aloud to a younger child. Both mother and daughter will see some of themselves in this book.

And if Mom is finding herself struggling with her daughter, You’re Wearing That?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters In Conversation by Deborah Tannen will help give her insight on why mother-daughter communication can be so difficult and fraught with emotion. Tannen asserts that the close and complex relationship between mothers and daughters results in turning a passing remark into something hurtful and upsetting. Fortunately, she provides excellent solutions that mothers and daughters can use to make their communication better and more positive.

Encouraging Bonding

To keep the bond between mother and daughter strong, it’s helpful to have activities that they do only together. These books will provide some ideas for ways Moms and daughters can learn more about each other, so that they get closer with every day.

American Girl Library’s Just Mom and Me (9 - 12) provides a wide range of activities for mothers and daughters to do together, from quizzes to recipes to story starters. Tear-out pages allow them to share notes and gift coupons, which checklists for two let them see how well they really know each other. Perfect as an activity at home or on a trip, this will keep both Mom and daughter learning and laughing.

Just Between Us: A No-Stress, No-Rules Journal for Girls and Their Moms (8 and up) was written by Meredith and Sofie Jacobs, who have shared a journal since Sofie was 9. This book is meant to help mothers and daughters start their own shared journal, with advice, writing prompts, pages for doodling, and, of course, lots of space for writing about whatever they want to talk about. Since it was written by a mother-daughter team, it brings perspectives from each generation into its pages, so both moms and daughters will learn a lot about each other at a time of childhood when many girls start to seem very distant.

Alternately, Mom may want the chance to journal herself: to write down all the bits of wisdom and fond memories that she has of her children when they were younger. In For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes, and Wisdom by Dionna Ford, she’ll find creative prompts to get her writing about family vacations, childhood games, and special holidays — as well as her own life’s experiences going to school, falling in love, and raising the children she loves. Mom may not have thought to discuss these questions — ones her daughter might not think to ask — but both Mom and daughter will love discovering the answers.

And, of course, one of the best ways to bond in A Mighty Girl’s opinion is to read good books together! In The Mother-Daughter Book Club: How Ten Busy Mothers and Daughters Came Together to Talk, Laugh, and Learn Through Their Love of Reading by Shireen Dodson, Mom will read the story of one mother-daughter book club, but also learn the practical steps to take to organize one of her own. Dodson believes that sharing ideas together like this has a strong effect on a daughter’s confidence, independence, and strength, while mothers enjoy watching their daughter’s mind blossom and grow. We couldn’t agree more!

Mothers give so much — sometimes seen and appreciated, other times not — and it’s only fitting to honor that special relationship, not just on one day, but throughout the year. Thanks for all that you do and a very happy Mother's Day to you from A Mighty Girl!

Additional Resources

• For more books for all ages that focus on the special relationships between mothers and daughters, visit our mother-daughter section.
• If your family is an adoptive family, visit our section of books about adoption to celebrate your special relationship.

Once you've entered our clothing section, you can filter the selection in a variety of ways to make it easier to find just the right thing for your Mighty Girl -- or yourself! Our age filter allows you to sort by a variety of age groups, from 0 - 2 to 13+, as well as adults. And, our clothing type filter allows you to view the collection by the different types of clothing described above.

We have divided our collection into nine categories. Our Superheroes, Character Themed, and Literary Themed categories focus on clothing featuring individuals (both fictional and real) that represent strong female characters in a variety of media. The Animals / Nature collection lets nature-loving Mighty Girls showcase their love of the great outdoors and the creatures that live within it.

Our Science / Technology section includes clothing that promotes girls and women in STEM areas, while our Career / Jobs lets girls express their future career dreams and aspirations. Our Sports / Hobbies section makes it easy for girls to find clothing relating to their interests, especially active lifestyles. Finally, our Girl Power / Feminist and Princess Alternative sections show off how girls and women can be so much more than damsels in distress!

To find clothing that is eco-friendly and/or ethically made, you can use our Special Features filter to find only those items. This sort also allows you to select items that have a charitable outreach component, like the very popular Out of Print literary T-shirts that provide donations for the organization Books for Africa .

Best of all, you can apply multiple filters at the same time, so if you want to know, for example, what "girl power" underwear options are available for 5-year-olds, a few clicks of the mouse will lead you to the Fruit Of The Loom DC Superhero 7-Pack Briefs that have been very popular with the Mighty Girl community.

As with all items you discover on A Mighty Girl, by using the "Buy from Amazon" and "Buy at CafePress" buttons on every product page, at no added cost to you, we receive a small commission from the sale which helps to cover our site costs. Your support allows us to continue to grow and expand A Mighty Girl and bring you more of the girl-empowering products you love.

WHY WE FEATURE CLOTHING ON A MIGHTY GIRL

Since launching A Mighty Girl last April, we've received many requests for information about other types of girl empowering products beyond the books, toys, and films that we feature on the site and questions about clothing are among the most common. Much of the children's clothing market reflects a one-dimensional representation of girlhood that limits a girl's imagination and interests based on a prescribed set of socially-acceptable themes, colors, and symbols.

A girl's first opportunity to express herself is so often through the clothing she chooses to wear, and we believe that every girl should be able to find clothes that reflect her personality, interests, and aesthetic. In keeping with A Mighty Girl’s mission to showcase products that empower girls, we've added a wide range of clothing that allow each girl the opportunity to define girlhood on her own terms, with the colors, images, and styles she loves best.

We hope that you enjoy the section, and that the girls in your life will soon be dressing Mighty too!

Whether it's from preschool or college, graduations are one way that we mark an important transition in a child's or young person's life. If you know a Mighty Girl who is graduating this year, then in the middle of the flurry of school-end projects and graduation party planning, you’ve probably paused for a moment to reflect on the momentous change coming for both of you.

And, whether she's going to be starting school full-time as a first grader or moving cross-country to attend college, you likely want to pass on some words of wisdom as she takes her first steps into this new stage of life. One great way to do this is by giving her an inspiring book that praises her gifts, exhorts her to achieve her potential, and reminds her that you will always be there when she needs you.

With that in mind, A Mighty Girl is proud to present our top ten Mighty Girl books to empower your graduate in her new life. Unlike in other blogs, we won’t reference age recommendations since these books are truly universal: like Dr. Seuss’ classic Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, the importance of these books is in their message of empowerment and inspiration, not in their reading level. Each one will let your graduate know that a Mighty Girl can always find great things, wherever she may go.

To browse all of our Mighty Girl graduation book recommendations, you can also visit our special feature on the Top Mighty Girl Books for Graduates.

Inspirational Books for Mighty Girl Graduates

1. Blueberry Girl, by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Charles Vess

Nationally bestselling author Neil Gaiman wrote this book for singer-songwriter Tori Amos when she was about to become the mother of a girl. In it, he writes a prayer for a blueberry girl, a beloved baby who grows into a daring young woman. Along the way, she will experience all of the trials and joys of life, with the wonders all the sweeter for the travels necessary. Charles Vess’ illustrations depicts girls of many ages and appearances, each one guarded by a protective animal as she explores her world. This poem is a beautiful wish for any girl starting a new journey.

2. For A Girl Becoming, by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Mercedes McDonald

Rich art and symbolic poetry evoke the lessons of a girl’s life: birth, youth, and adulthood are all captured with text full of a sense of myth and wonder. Harjo, a Mvskoke/Creek poet and writer, tells a story of a family and community gathered together to celebrate the girl’s arrival with love and adoration, but also advice and guidance. McDonald’s colorful illustrations create a vivid world, full of meaning to be deciphered, and also evoke a connection to the cycles of the natural world. This beautiful book will speak to anyone standing at the threshold of becoming something new.

3. Someday, by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

A mother and her daughter share everyday milestones in this book about the bond of love between parent and child. The pages are full of little moments in the maturation of a child — riding a bicycle, swinging higher than she’s ever dared — as well as the big ones — watching her leave the family home for her own life, seeing her brush her own child’s hair. And in the end, her mother reminds her, even decades from now when the daughter herself is old, she will always carry her mother’s love with her. McGhee’s very personal writing and Reynold’s simple, soft illustrations complement each other perfectly, and make this book a wonderful way to remind your daughter that you will always be a part of her life.

4. Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You, by Nancy Tillman

“I wanted you more than you’ll ever know, so I sent love to follow wherever you go...” So begins Nancy Tillman’s lovely tribute to the gift of love that parents give their children. As Tillman describes the depth and strength of a parent’s love, her mixed-media illustrations depict beautiful, vivid landscapes full of wild animal companions. Like Tillman’s debut picture book, On the Night You Were Born, this book is a favorite with children, but graduates and adults can draw new meaning from its message of constant, supportive love.

5. Keeping Climbing, Girls, by Beah E. Richards, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Noted African American playwright Beah E. Richards wrote this ode to empowered girls in 1951, and this edition with illustrations by R. Gregory Christie makes it accessible to girls of all ages. Richards reminds girls everywhere that “the path of life goes up and up/not down!” and they’ll love watching the brave heroine reach her goal of climbing to the highest branch, while fretful Miss Nettie tries to coax, cajole, and bully her down. Richard’s vernacular poetry creates a distinctive voice — one that may even sound like your own Mighty Girl’s — and Christie’s strong, bold illustrations add even more depth through the body language of the characters. This inspiring message is sure to give your grad the confidence to reach for her next branch on her way to the top.

6. There, by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

“When will I get There? How will I know?” A little girl looks on into the future, through fantastic imaginary landscapes of storms, rainbows, and ladders to the stars. There seems very far away, and yet she is confident that she can find it all by herself. Unlike many children’s authors, Fitzpatrick allows children to understand that some questions have no answer. Both her simple, subtle text and her soft, almost dreamy illustrations encourage quiet, questioning thoughts and contemplation — making it great for kids, but also giving it rich meaning to young adults who are about to set forth for their own There.

7. Yay You! Moving Out, Moving Up, Moving On, by Sandra Boynton

Most parents will recognize the distinctive style of Sandra Boynton’s illustrations from her books for young children. This book, on the other hand, was written for her own son’s graduation from high school, and Boynton deliberately intended it for all ages. Boynton still includes plenty of silliness — a yoga cow chanting “OOM”, a frog with an outboard motor on his lilypad — but in the midst of the fun is a loving message: whatever you decide to do with your life, the people who love you are proud. The first page includes a box labelled “Congratulations” with space for the giver and receiver’s names, making it easy to inscribe. Yay, You! is the perfect combination of sweetness and silliness for those who want a little extra fun in their grad gift.

8. The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds

Reynolds, who has been art lover since childhood, says, “I often visit classrooms and ask who loves to draw...By fourth and fifth grade, most of the hands are down. It’s sad to see the artistic, creative energy slowing down, being packed away.” He wrote this story to remind children — and adults — that creativity and willingness to take a risk are attributes worth celebrating.

Vashti is sure she’s no artist, but her teacher is sure she could be: “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” Vashti’s jab at the paper makes an angry blot...but that mark becomes the beginning of so much more, as Vashti learns that creative spirit lives in everyone. For young adults, the story’s message that taking a chance is worth doing — even if it means accepting the possibility that things won’t work out — will take on new meaning as they take their first steps into their independent lives.

9. Plant A Kiss, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Rosenthal takes the phrase “to plant a kiss” and makes it literal when the Little Miss of this book plants a real kiss in the ground. After tending it carefully — lots of sunshine and water — a glittering sprout grows. Now Little Miss is going to share the kiss she planted with the whole wide world! This beautiful conceptual book about kindness, generosity, and love will remind your graduate that simple gestures can grow far beyond the giver — and that anyone can be the one to start something that leads to “eternal bliss.”

10. Zero, by Kathryn Otoshi

This book, full of simple text and minimalist art, might seem to be just a mathematical story, but in truth it teaches about finding value in others — and yourself. Zero thinks she is a nothing number. All the other numbers count, but big round Zero is just empty. While she tries to be like the other numbers, she realizes that nothing that she can do will make her anything other than zero. And eventually, she realizes that Zero can make the other numbers count even more. Otoshi’s message about the value of being yourself and seeking your own strengths is very valuable for the new graduate, as is the reminder that, however important we are on our own, we are happier and accomplish more working together.

Graduation is a big change — for the graduate and for everyone who loves her. Hopefully these books will help inspire both of you to move into this new phase of life. If there’s one thing they teach us, it’s that great things are ahead!

For more books that would make excellent Mighty Girl graduation gifts, visit our special feature on Top Mighty Girl Books for Graduates.