Blueberry Girl

By Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess

From New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman comes an affirming poem for unconventional, powerful, growing daughters at any age.

A much-loved baby grows into a young woman: brave, adventurous, and lucky. Exploring, traveling, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by the wonders of the world. What every new parent or parent-to-be dreams of for her child, what every girl dreams of for herself.

Neil Gaiman and beloved illustrator Charles Vess turn a wish for a new daughter into a book that celebrates the glory of growing up: a perfect gift for girls embarking on all the journeys of life, for their parents, and for everyone who loves them.

This beautiful picture book is a lovely graduation or baby shower gift.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780063063242

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling and multi-award winning author and creator of many beloved books, graphic novels, short stories, film, television and theatre for all ages. He is the recipient of the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, and many Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner Awards. Neil has adapted many of his works to television series, including Good Omens (co-written with Terry Pratchett) and The Sandman. He is a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR and Professor in the Arts at Bard College. For a lot more about his work, please visit: https://www.neilgaiman.com/

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Reviews for Blueberry Girl

[SocorroBaptista · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just amazing!! I just loved it!! Neil is one of my favorite authors, ever.

[books9n9pickles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful and charming, with great rhythm and rhyme. A narrator (Gaiman) asks in a poem-prayer for the three women who represent all women (young, middle-aged, and elderly) to grant the blueberry girl blessings to carry her through the ups and downs of life. Girls of all colors (but nor, admittedly, sizes) romp in imaginary worlds full of fantastic and curious critters. Charles Vess's illustrations and lettering are beautiful, as is the coloring. Some lines might need explanation--that "bad husbands at thirty" will not trouble you, for example. That's a bit more for parents than kids.

[linyarai · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is beautiful and perfect, a great message for all girls.

[tjl-13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I originally purchased this because I've loved a number of Neil Gaiman's books and I love Tori Amos's music (who the book/poem was originally written for). In the end, it's a lovely poem that parents with young daughters should read. To that end, I've since passed on my copy to my sister so she could read it to her daughter. If I ever have a daughter, this will be one of the first books I purchase.

[magickislife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My daughter picked this up from the library and was a little disappointed so I thought I would read it to see why she felt that way. I personally loved it. I thought it was a very sweet book.

[chellebearss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My daughter received this for Easter and we read it this morning three times. She just loved it. It's a beautiful prayer for a new born baby for a lovely life through to adulthood. Some of the words are a bit advanced for a 4 year old (says age range 4-8) but the illustrations are lovely and the sentiment is sweet. I can't rave enough about Neil Gaiman's children's books. Especially the Chu series (for younger kids)

[capriciousreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. The words and the illustrations. Simply loved it.

[seschend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I can't describe this book in any other way than "this is a marvelous book by an author and artist, both of whom I've loved for some time, where they both bring their A-games to the table." It's the simplest rhyming book for children, most specifically a girl of any age. I've been waiting for it for years, and there's three copies set aside for important girls in my and my wife's lives.

If you have a young girl, she needs to hear you read this book aloud with her. Share this--it's powerful.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Written as a special gift for a friend who was pregnant with a little girl, Neil Gaiman's Blueberry Girl is a poetic wish for all sorts of blessings for the baby in question, both when she is a child, and as she grows into a woman. It begins with an invocation and prayer - "Ladies of light and ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind, This is a prayer for a blueberry girl" - and goes on to express the hope that the girl will find the strength and wisdom to lead a good life.This is the third picture-book I have read from the celebrated Neil Gaiman, following upon Instructions and Crazy Hair, and I have to say that it is the weakest of the three. I found the text rather awkward - it doesn't scan very well, and I can't imagine it making that appealing of a read-aloud - and thought that it missed the mark a bit. For a book that isn't story-centered, but is meant more as an inspirational meditation, I found myself oddly uninspired by the meditation. The artwork by Charles Vess is lovely - especially the scene with the whales! - but it wasn't enough to save this one. Recommended chiefly to Neil Gaiman fanatics who have to read everything he has written - everyone else can safely give it a miss.

[meditationesmartini · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I like this in principle--he wants the girl to be a blazing heart and strong, live live live and be unburdened by losers, etc.--and the art is full of animals and luminous beings, yes, a bit like a kid's Sandman--but I felt it was a bit disjointed for me, and I think Emmett agreed somewhat: there's the girl, whoa, who are those three norns or erinyes, oh phew they're gone, now some animals, the owl is still with her but the others are just hanging, but these whales are awesome I want some more whales, where are the whales, oh her mum looks nice, but where are the whales, hmmm here is a highly abstract representation of the circle of life and a wall that may have powerful symbolism or may be just a wall, I'm not sure I am keeping up completely with this astral journey, oh well, at least there were some more whales before the end, I think was kind of his process. But it's pretty and has a good message.

[bethanymoore · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I got this as a gift for a very special little girl. It is an amazing little poem and beautifully illustrated. She adores it. Every little girl needs this book!

[crunchymunchkin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Neil Gaiman's writing in all its forms, be it novels, comics or picture books. This is no exception. However,the text seems to really be written from an adult perspective, as it has an element of time that could be hard to grasp for young children. Nevertheless, this book represents all my hope and dreams for my future daughter. The pages are filled with love and the words ring sincere. It is a poetic ode to little girls everywhere and I can't wait to read it to my niece.

[dms02 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is such a sweet book...has a new age feel. Written for a pregnant mama. Contains the hopes and dreams anyone could feel for their children.

Reminds me of the email chain that was a letter from a grandparent to a grandchild. This book is similar in that is doesn't wish for all to be well and sweet and tidy all the time...but that life will hand challenges to you and may you do well with them.

The tone and some of the illustrations (not the style but the theme) reminded me of the book On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty illustrations and a sense of hopefulness mark this book. It's lighter than other Neil Gaiman books I've read.

[satyridae · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"O wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful wonderful! and yet again wonderful, and after that, out of all whooping!" This is a lovely invocation, a hopeful incantation, a blessing and a beautiful wish. I've just fallen in love with Gaiman all over again. The words are exquisite and the illustrations extraordinary. It's a book I will buy for every girl baby born into my life from here on.

[bnlmoore · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a baby girl that grows into a beautiful young woman. It is a story about womanhood. This book also has beautiful artwork as well.

[timothyl33 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very sweet and touching book to read for your daughters by the writer of Coraline and the Sandman series.

[andreabyrnes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic story of a little girl who loves blueberries.

[timspalding · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Liam's review, "Dad, it's not about anything!"

[wow_librarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Neil Gaiman's Blueberry Girl should be in every female's library-- certainly every girl-child's library. It should be read to little girls nightly, that their dreams will grow wings and fly, and that their imaginations be strong and brave. Women should read it and hold its secrets in their hearts. Fathers should read it and know what precious gifts their daughters are. Husbands should read it, and look at their wives with fresh hearts and new minds. Blueberry Girl is a delight and a treasure.

[ladyd_books · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was thinking of my #2 daughter (she majored in dance) and now is expecting her first baby... yes, it's true that I will be a grandma again! Do you remember me telling you the Greek word for grandma is YiaYia but I absolutely love this spelling of the word better, YaYa. It seems easier for others to remember. Anyways, the message of this beautiful book for girls and future women is a great gift for new moms and young girls. This simple, short poem/story of rhyme uses good sense, good balance, and good vocabulary. The warm illustrations by Charles Vess are so beautiful.This grabbed my heart right away, from inside the jacket flap:This is a prayer for a blueberry girl... "A much- loved baby grows into a young woman: brave, adventurous, and lucky. Exploring, traveling, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by the wonders of the world. What every new parent or parents-to-be dreams of for her child, what every girl dreams of for herself"...This book is a blessing for daughters to have a rich, full, wonderful life... and I agree! It's a sweet benediction. Asking for clearness of sight, wisdom for your daughter and finding truth are wonderful things. Thank you Neil Gaiman for writing a very beautiful book! ***** stars!

[rhinoa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A poem written by Neil Gaiman illustrated by Charles Vess. This was originally written for Tori Amos' daughter Tash and Neil eventually published it which I am very glad about. It follows a much loved baby who grows into a woman, travelling the world and its wonders. It is the wishes a parent may have for their daughter and the daughers wishes as well.These are some of my favourite of Vess's illustrations and it was such a beautiful poem. If we do decide to have children and one is a daughter I can definitely see myself reading them this poem before bed. Such a beautiful gift.

[apartmentcat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A prayer for a girl who is "still just a bump". The illustrations of Charles Vess, with the Blueberry Girl surrounded by friendly animals, are wonderful. Neil Gaiman's lyrical words are beautifully written - his poem evokes the hopes of parents for the future life of their baby. A dreamy and uplifting story for younger children.

[tapestry100 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a beautiful prayer written by Neil Gaiman for his friend Tori and her soon to be born daughter Tash. It is about empowering her daughter to be her own person, to let her grow and be adventurous and live life to its fullest. The accompanying illustration by Charles Vess are suited perfectly to the story. It is a very quick read, but one that left me smiling. A must-buy book for anyone that you know who is having a daughter.

[theoclarke · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charming poem or prayer for the good life of a girl child raised to excellence by glorious illustrations.