This week I attended an advance screening of the new Little Women film. Greta Gerwig wrote and directed this 2019 adaption of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel (warning, if you haven’t read the book or seen one of the previous Little Women films, SPOILERS). What sets Gerwig’s movie apart from others is viewers no longer follow the story of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy in chronological order. Instead we see chapters intertwined in a new outline with flashbacks. This storytelling method works and the acting is spot-on for the entire cast. Powerful Themes in Little Women Understanding: This film beautifully captures Marmee’s complete acceptance of her girls. The March sisters have extremely different personalities. Marmee tailors her parenting so that each always feels secure and loved. Even with old Aunt March offering tsk-tsk judgments on the sidelines, Marmee does not demand her girls ignore their true nature. As a result each girl flourishes. For Marmee, the most important thing is for her girls to have strong morals and character that act as their compass throughout life. Intuition: There have been countless debates on whether or not Amy and Laurie should end up together. This film does not shy away from the magnetic relationship that is Jo and Laurie, but it also does a great job of helping the viewer understand why he comes to love Amy romantically. The script and Florence Pugh, who plays Amy, brought a depth to the role I had not seen before. Speaking of scenes, the SCENE where Jo breaks Laurie’s heart is …

Ever since reading the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, I always found the idea that a simple wardrobe could be an entryway to another world fascinating. Imagine my delight when my oldest daughter and I saw a travel show snippet about a fantastical slide whose entry point began in a laundry room dryer. At the bottom of that slide was a world unlike any we’d ever seen. The woman who slid down shared she was at Meow Wolf, located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My daughter looked at me and said with 100 percent assurance, “We are SO going there”. This month her wish came true. What Exactly is Meow Wolf? First, you need to understand the Santa Fe location is just one chapter in the Meow Wolf story. Meow Wolf started in 2008 as a small collective of artists who could not find their way into the “traditional” art world. At their very first meeting everyone put two words into a hat. They then picked two random words out and got “Meow Wolf.” The group’s goal was to create immersive, multimedia experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of storytelling. Through many ups and downs (well captured in the documentary Meow Wolf: Origin Story), these determined artists brought several brilliant exhibitions to life on their own terms. Then, with the help of longtime Santa Fe resident George R.R. Martin, Meow Wolf took over a vacant former bowling alley, transforming it into a multi-use art complex. House of Eternal Return  Today Meow Wolf Santa Fe …

If you’re a fan of the classic novel Little Women, 2019 is a very good year. Writer-director Greta Gerwig is returning to the big screen with her adaption of the beloved coming-of-age story. We’ll have to wait till December for the film, but a new cookbook lets readers bring the world of Little Women to their tables. Food writer and editor Wini Moranville has put together 50 easy-to-make recipes, all updated for the modern kitchen. The Little Women Cookbook: Tempting Recipes from the March Sisters and Their Friends and Family contains recipes inspired by specific dishes mentioned among the novel’s pages. These include Buckwheat Pancakes, Milk-Toast, Apple Orchard Chicken, Gingerbread, and more. There are also full-color photos, fun and uplifting quotes from Little Women, and anecdotes about Louisa May Alcott (the novel’s author). Harvard Common Press, publisher of the cookbook, was kind enough to share two recipes straight from the pages with Girls That Create readers: A Better Omelet for Marmee Makes 1 omelet (repeat the recipe for as many omelets as you would like to make) The boiled tea was very bitter, the omelet was scorched, and the biscuits speckled with saleratus, but Mrs. March received her repast with thanks and laughed heartily over it after Jo was gone. One morning in June, bored after a few long days of too much time on their hands, Meg and Jo make breakfast for their mother. Sadly, things don’t go quite as they might have hoped for in the kitchen. Follow this foolproof recipe, however, and you’ll …

With every political or social movement, a specific accessory emerges. Often fastened to jackets, blouses, bags, and even shoes, I am, of course, talking about buttons. These adornments have been part of the United States scenery since the country’s beginning. During the first presidential inauguration, supporters of George Washington wore copper buttons with his initials in the center. A chain surrounding the button’s rim had links representing each of the original thirteen states. Just a few words or simple image can convey a powerful message. Supporters of the woman suffrage movement wore buttons to express their belief that women deserved the right to vote. When 168 women suffragists were released from jail in 1917 for picketing the White House, they each received a Jailed for Freedom pin. Madeleine Albright during her tenure as Secretary of State famously wore pins to express opinions when meeting with members of government at home and abroad. On good days she wore flowers or butterflies; on bad days bugs and carnivorous animals. How to Make Your Own Powerful Button Sit down with the girl(s) in your life and create your own buttons. Purchase a kit of snap together craft buttons. Get out markers, pens, crayons, scissors and a couple of pieces of cardstock. Discuss the details chosen for the designs (colors, images, wording, placement). What messages do you each hope the buttons communicate? What are the meanings behind the chosen symbols? Turn your drawings into memorable button keepsakes.  Resources About Powerful Buttons The Busy Beaver Button Museum has put together an …

We have all had those days. The days clouded by rejection, being ignored or just downright disappointment with our performance. It’s hard enough when you experience defeats, but it’s another ballgame when your child is the one hurting. Which is why I want to introduce this self-esteem activity for girls. The “What I Like About Me” activity is something you can do with a child at any age and one adults can benefit from doing too. Materials What I Like About Me Template, colored pencils, crayons or pens. Steps One: Print off the What I Like About Me Template. If you don’t have access to a printer, take a piece of paper and draw a head. Two: Ask your child to write down 15 things they like about themselves anywhere in the head part of the template. If she struggles to name 15, help out by discussing her strengths. Three: Look up positive quotes with your child. Have her choose one to outline the head with. A couple of household favorites to boost self-esteem: “Self-esteem means knowing you are the dream.” ~Oprah Winfrey “I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it.” ~Simone Biles “You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.” ~Melissa Etheridge “What makes you different or weird, that’s your strength.” ~Meryl Streep “I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning to sail my ship.” ~Louisa May Alcott Four: Have your girl color the head, words, and add any other decorations she wants to the piece. …

Have you ever found yourself searching for picture books where a woman or girl is the central character? Turns out sheer numbers are to blame. A startling study revealed that from 1900 to 2000 males were the central characters in 57 percent of children’s books published per year. Only 31 percent had female central characters. The publishing industry still has a way to go, but there have been efforts towards greater female inclusion. Here is a list of picture books encouraging artistic girls to pursue their artistic dreams, with every story starring a woman or girl. Picture Books With Women and Girl Main Characters Picture Books About Visual Artists Me, Frida: As Frida Kahlo begins to explore San Francisco, she discovers the inspiration she needs to become one of the most celebrated artists of all time. The Dot: One little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire: From her imaginative childhood to her career as an illustrator, designer, and animator for Walt Disney Studios, Mary Blair wouldn’t play by the rules. Through Georgia’s Eyes: Lyrical and vivid, this is a portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe, a woman whose eyes were open to the wideness and wonder of the world. Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity!: Tells the story of an artist whose work will not be complete until her dots cover the world, from here to infinity. In Her Hands: Weaves together known historical details to create a compelling portrait of this unique Harlem Renaissance sculptor. …