Review: Indelible Ann by Meghan P. Browne. Illustrated by Carlynn Whitt

Quick Info:

Book type: Picture Book

Target Age: 4-8 years old

Recommended Age: 7-10 years old

Plot: The life story of Governor Ann Richards

Review:

I don’t have much to say about this book. It was informative and inspirational in the sense of girl-power. Ann was described as a good housewife who still cared deeply about her desire for change and it was nice to introduce historical women who had influence while still caring for her family. I wouldn’t say the recommended age range is accurate as I know most 4-year-olds would be a bit bored since it is written in a biographical sense. I would say an older child between 9-10 might benefit more. I feel like this would be an interesting book to read with an older child as long as conversations are had about some of the content in the book.

Opinion:

If your child needs to read a book about a governor then I guess it’s an okay book. I don’t really strongly recommend the book because I’ve found young kids find biographical picture books to be boring.

Content:

• Ann’s mother “…wrung a chicken’s neck from her birthing bed…” (wringing a chicken’s neck is mentioned once more in the book)

• Mentions of what a “woman’s role” is and “what a man’s role is”

• A character in the book is drawn wearing a pride flag when talking about Ann’s belief in “…taking care of all people”

• The back page speaking more on her life mentions alcoholism (it is not a part of the main story book)

Excerpts:

Excerpts from books are a glimpse of the content that is found and are not every instance of un-Islamic and/or “iffy” content.

Governor Ann supported the LGBTQ+ community during her time in office. The person on the right is wearing a shirt with the pride flag as a heart. The page helps the reader infer Ann’s support as well.

While the image is not exactly graphic, it is inferred that the chicken drawn is one that has had its neck wrung.