I Dare! I Can! I Will! -- new picture book about the Icelandic women's day of protest

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Have there been times when you thought all the women of the country should go on strike? Strike from housework as well as careers? I know I have many times. Whenever women's rights are being stepped on, I think about it. But then I think about how hard it would be to get everyone to do it. And, of course, what I see as stepping on women's rights some women think is all right. But one day in Iceland, the women did just that and today I get to share a new picture book about that day! The book is I Dare! I Can! I Will! by Linda Ólafsdóttir. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

From the Publisher:

A picture book inspired by the Long Friday—a real event in Iceland that inspired women around the world to stand up, walk out, and march together for women’s rights.

Vera and Mamma are headed out for a march, but it’s not just any march: It’s October 24 in Reykjavík, and on this day in 1975, the women of Iceland took the day off, walked out of their homes and away from their jobs—as farmworkers, butchers, and fisherwomen; wives, daughters, and children—and marched to demand equality and change, chanting: “I dare! I can! I will!” And they did, inspiring and empowering girls and women to make change, not just in their country, but all around the world.

From Me:

When I read the description of the book I knew I wanted to review it. Women in a country had pulled off taking an afternoon off. They walked out of their homes and jobs and protested for equal rights and equal pay. The year was 1975--the year of women according to the United Nations. Women all over Iceland walked out and protested. They protested in their own small towns and villages as well as the cities. Can you imagine? 

The book is of a mother telling her own child her childhood experience of going with her mother to the protest. It was hard for the child of today to imagine that there was time when girls were not allowed to go to school. Or that they were treated so unfairly, but let's face it we still are. Things have gotten better but there is still a pay gap. Many women are still the ones responsible for the children and household although this generation of men are stepping up more than our fathers did. I love how this book teaches about a day in history that many of us do not know about. It teaches us what is possible when women stand together. 

The day is known as Women's Day Off or Long Friday. The men thought it was a very long day when they had to try to do the things women often do everyday. It proved the point of what women do and their value. However we still see the prejudices against women every day. 

At the back of the book there is more information about Women's Day Off including photos from some of the protests and more. What an amazing example of women's power and what a great book to share it with the world! I hope you will check it out and share it with your children, students, etc.