Not Quite Snow White

by Ashley Franklin, Ebony Glenn (Illustrator)

Tameika is an African American girl who loves musical and dreams of starring in one as a princess one day. But she fears that having brown skin and a plump frame might keep her from her dreams.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, African American, School, Family, Cultural

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2019

About the author

Ashley Franklin is the author of NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE (2019), “Creative Fixes” from the anthology ONCE UPON AN EID (2020), “Situationally Broke” from the anthology WHAT WE DIDN’T EXPECT (2020), BETTER TOGETHER, CINDERELLA (2021) and more. Ashley received her master’s degree in English literature from the University of Delaware. She is an adjunct college instructor, freelance writer, and proud mom. Ashley currently resides in Arkansas with her family.

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I totally I agree with the premise that anyone can be snow white. The book touches some issues edit makes a very interesting conversation when you’re finished.

This is a home run a great book I highly recommend

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A talented and exuberant dancer, singer and actress, Tameika had starred in many of the stage plays put on at her school, so she eagerly tried out for the part of Snow White in the upcoming musical. Then she overheard some of her classmates talking about her, maintaining that she was too tall, too chubby, and too brown for the part. Terribly upset, she shared her troubles at home, and was assured that she was just right as she was. Faith restored, she returned to try-outs the next day and wowed the judges...

Author Ashley Franklin makes her debut with Not Quite Snow White, teaming up with illustrator Ebony Glenn, who has also worked on such titles as Mommy's Khimar and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins . The story here is sweet and upbeat, communicating the message that talent is more important than identity, when it comes to acting and stage plays. It reminded me quite a bit of Mary Hoffman's Amazing Grace , about a little black British girl who wants to play the part of Peter Pan in her school's play, and who must confront some of the same issues. The artwork from Glenn is colorful and cute, and will no doubt appeal to young children. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories that address appearance & race, and how those things might impact young people at school.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tameika loves to dance, act and sing. She does so frequently. It's what she loves most.
When her school puts on Snow White, she wants to audition more than anything, but her classmates chatter saying she can't be Snow White, because she's black, too tall, and too chubby. However, her supportive parents assure her she's their princess and that she is perfect as she is.

The book obviously addresses a lot of unspoken contemporary issues in terms of racism, body shaming, and yes, it does sadly exist even amongst children as young as Tameika. However, the book's ending is very hopeful.

#OwnVoices Ashley Franklin (author) and Ebony Glenn (illustrator) do a great job of showing off Tameika, her fearlessness prior to auditions and her spirit, as well as the help and love of her parents.

If you recall the picture book, Amazing Grace, a black girl who wanted to play the role of Peter Pan, this is a great read-along tie-in, on being anything or anyone you want to be, and race doesn't matter. Only your talent!

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shameless ripoff of Amazing Grace, shameless ripoff of LeUyen Pham's art style. Then again, probably most of the folk giving this such high ratings haven't heard of the former and don't have a problem with the latter's style becoming so overused.

[Vivian Kirkfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this picture book! What a great message for every child...believe in yourself - you are just right for whatever you want to be!
The illustrations help the reader see how the main character is feeling...and how the other kids are feeling also. And the text is well-paced and filled with humor and heart!

[Tammy Schoen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with a sweet message of self-love.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a young girl who loves dancing, singing, acting, and princesses. When she overhears some other kids whispering that she is too tall, too chubby, and too brown to get Snow White’s role, however, she becomes self conscious and sad.

Reminds me of comments I heard from people who were upset about the new Little Mermaid (“Ariel is white”) and Snow White (“She isn’t pretty enough”) movies. It’s sad that this book even needs to exist, but since it apparently does, this is a really good one to start a discussion about how our personalities, interests, and skills matter more than our physical features.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tameika loves to dance and sing. It's almost time for tryouts for the school musical Snow White, and Tameika wants the lead role. But she hears whisperings that she is not right for the part...that she is too tall...too chubby...too brown.

This book should inspire confidence in being comfortable with yourself, and silencing the whispers, at least in your own head.

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Quite Snow White is a children's picture book written by Ashley Franklin and illustrated by Ebony Glenn, which stars Tameika, a little black girl holds true to her dream that on the theater stage you can be whatever you want – even if it's Snow White.

Franklin's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. The narrative is written rather well and captures Tameika's spirit and love for acting rather well and her dejection when she overhears that she is inappropriate for the part she wanted – Snow White. Glenn's digital illustrations are forthright in portraying Tameika's talent, ambition, and the joy both bring her.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Tameika is a die-hard song-and-dance gal, and the world is her stage. Now, having played a cucumber, a space cowgirl, a dinosaur, and a mermaid, she’s going to audition for the biggest school play role yet: the lead in the musical Snow White. However, when she overhears her peers gossiping, Tameika's strong will wavers. Fortunately, her parents give her the encouragement she needs.

All in all, Not Quite Snow White is a wonderful and charming children's book that serves as a great reminder that classic princess roles can be re-imagined to embrace inclusion, diversity, and body positivity.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

6/6/2021 ~ It's hard to silence the voices in one's own head, especially when they are given added strength by mean comments from others. Tameika wins out and gets the part of Snow White in the class play.

[Kꌗꓘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the plot line and the illustrations. They were beautiful!

[Mallory Tome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about girl named Tameika who loved to dance and sing. She performed in many plays and enjoyed doing so. Her school was having a Snow White play, and Tameika was excited to be a princess, but her classmates began making her feel bad about it. They called Tameika too tall, too chubby, and too brown to be Snow White. Tameika was upset by these comments, but her parents made her feel better. She went on to doing great at the auditions and got the role! She was “enough of all the right stuff.” Overall, this book is excellent. It had amazing illustrations that interpret the characters well, and would be engaging for students. There were no culturally offensive or inaccurate ideas in the book as well. This book can serve as a mirror for children who may feel like their physical characteristics makes them “not enough”. The book can also serve as a window for others to see how their classmates who look different may feel in certain situations. In the classroom, this book would be great to teach students about each-others differences and how they are “enough of all the right stuff”. Students can complete an activity where they think about all of their physical differences as well as the different things they are good at. They can compare these to the rest of their classmates and see just how unique everyone in the class is, yet they all should be treated good because they are all enough!

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are tall enough, chubby enough, and brown enough to be the perfect princess.

This lovely little picture book addresses not just racism, but also children who unkindly attack other children for their appearance and body shape, in this case, criticizing Tameika for being too tall and too chubby in addition to having brown skin. The effect on Tameika, who was previously pictured as radiantly happy and expressive, is profound and well illustrated by Ebony Glenn.

With the support of her parents, who turn around the message that she is "too" much into one that she is "enough" of, Tameika marshals her joy in performance and tries out for Snow White, concluding:

Tameika wasn't too much of anything.
Maybe she was just enough of all the right stuff.

Illustrated characters show some diversity of appearance: hair color, skin tone, eye shape, hair type. One wears a head scarf. No visible physical disabilities. For a character criticized as "chubby", Tameika's body shape is only ever-so-slightly more rounded than other characters, and no characters are fat. This seems like a lost opportunity to illustrate more diverse body shapes, but still, it's a nice picture book that addresses issues of kindness, self-esteem, taking risks, seeking help from trusted adults, and accepting oneself as "just enough of all the right stuff".

2021-2022 #VAReads selection, recommended for elementary libraries and classroom libraries.

[dndgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet book with a lovely message! The illustrations were lovely—Tameika’s constant movement was so visible on the page that even the reader becomes sad when she goes still and quiet. It did brush over her coming to terms with being enough and being happy with who she is a bit, but the premise was still important and the last page ultimately showed that she could be Snow White not despite of who she was, but because of it. Another book that highlights Black Girl Magic for little brown girls who hear too often that they’re lacking and not enough that they’re perfect how they are.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book has a heartwarming and important message for all people--believe in yourself as you are exactly who you were meant to be and follow your dreams no matter what color your skin is. The illustrations are precious. The only issue I had was the character drawn was normal-sized for a child, not "too chubby" as the text read. This would be a point of discussion I'd have with children about this book because readers do not need to compare themselves and develop their own body image issues.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

An African American girl who loves to dance and sing is excited about trying out for Snow White in her school musical. However, when she hears classmates saying she is too chubby, tall and brown she begins to have doubts. Her parents reassure her that they think she is perfect and she finds the courage to audition.

Rounded up because I liked that other physical attributes were introduced as problems too, making it more inclusive and also hopefully convincing some that if they find one ridiculous, maybe they should rethink all of them.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Not Quite Snow White is such a sweet and precious story. Watching Tameika overcome her fears brought on by other students thinking she is too tall, too chubby, too brown is moving and powerful, and it's honestly something many children need and deserve to see. The illustrations are adorable and the story has a great rhythm to it.

Definitely recommended!

[Melissa R Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it I love these children’s books I can’t wait to purchase a copy for my collection. And possibly press it into the hands of those I know that have children especially our black children.
As a black woman who is also blind I could relate to this little girls story and being denied the part in the play because she was too brown.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like am updated Amazing Grace but it incorporates body image instead of sexism (both still have the racism).

[LaShana (she|her) Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and the illustrations made it even better!

[Hannah]

This is absolutely lovely. I'm a huge fan of Ebony Glenn, and this story, too, is great. Amazing Grace was a hugely important book in my life when I was a kid, but honestly this one does a lot of that that one did, but without the weird Native American fetishism (though Grace's dress-ups were more elaborate and diverse, even if you toss that one).

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many pairings.

[Max Mento · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book by Ashley Franklin. Tameika, the main character of the story, faces insecurity about her race and appearance with the upcoming Snow White play. The other students say how she can't be Snow White because of her different complexion, but in the end, she learns to overcome these insecurities and star in the play as she has done in the past. The author does a great job of promoting self-confidence in girls of color, as the norm in the media is to portray princesses as skinny white women. The drawings are attention-grabbing and do well in depicting a realistic scenario one might see at school. This book would be great in a classroom for students to read or as a lesson in being proud of who you are and not letting others get to you. Additionally, this book contains great vocabulary for a lower-level elementary classroom.

[Sherika Stanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text-to-Teaching Connection

Not Quite Snow White is a book about a little girl who wants to be Snow White in her school play. However, she overhears her classmates saying she's too tall, too chubby, too brown. Tameika is devastated. Her family encourages her and she decides to be just what she wants to be. I would use this book in my classroom to teach the students about having a healthy self-esteem, telling them that they can be whatever they want to be. That could be an expansion to a lesson on What I Want to Be When I Grow up. It could also be a time to talk about being a good friend and saying helpful things, not hurtful things.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesssss! This is a fantastic picture book. I love everything about it. Tameika loves to sing and dance and perform--but she's never played a princess. When her school opens auditions for Snow White, Tameika is super excited to audition. But when she hears other kids whisper that she is too tall, too chubby, and too brown to play Snow White, she starts to wonder if they might be right after all. With her confidence shaken, Tameika asks her parents who tell her that she isn't too much of anything and that she has all of the right things for whoever she wants to be. When it's time for her audition, Tameika remembers the joy she feels when she performs and she gives it her all. And everyone loves it! (And spoiler: she gets the part!) A beautiful, gentle story about embracing all of your positives and finding out that you are more than enough just as you are. The artwork is stunning, glossy and detailed with shifting perspectives and a lot of variety in each spread. Watch for this one and be sure to add a copy to your shelves!

[Akilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my daughter was in 11th grade, her school put on a production of Beauty & the Beast. Being helpful (or so she thought), the drama teacher said before auditions, "And to my blonde girls, don't worry! We have a brunette wig!" My daughter said then that she knew there was no way she would get the part.

So, basically, this book is for any Black (or brown) girl who has been written and then writes herself out of consideration for a part before she even auditions because of what she already knows about who traditionally gets to be seen.

Ebony Glenn's illustrations are adorable, and Ashley Franklin's story is honest and ultimately empowering.

I left this book on the couch and my daughter's 20-year-old friend read and loved it, even looking for it again when she came back. So it also has that going for it.

[Shan Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the era where representation is “new” and currently being given to those who aren’t represented. The opportunity to be the “main character” is so far removed from girls of colours experience. So important that the brown, black and indigenous girls know that they can also be Snow White in the school play, and to be anything else in the world that they want (even if they’ve never seen someone who looks like them do it)

Reading books like this as a woc/black wokan I’m able to see the deeper meaning. Any girl can be Snow White, as long as she gets the lines right!

Makes me think of how mad blatantly loud racists were when The Little Mermaid became black, or when a fake fan casting on Toktik had them sending a young brown actress death threats simply because they didn’t want to see women of colour in roles that racists view as “only for them”

[Mikela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tameika is a young girl of color, glowing with positivity and self-confidence and that light shines on everyone around her. But when classmates whisper negative comments about Tameika and the upcoming auditions for Snow White, Tameika's confidence begins to wane. Can Tameika be Snow White?

The author Ashley Franklin does an amazing job with tapping into the feelings of a child that is questioning their confidence. She beautifully affirms Tameika as being a beautiful child of color that is able to achieve her dream. Ebony Glenn's illustrations are fun and bright resulting in Tameika's world being full of joy.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the text to be very choppy. Also, no one is "right" for every part. That's the nature of the performing arts. What about all those other kids who auditioned? I guess they're not "just enough of all the right stuff"? Maybe it's just me, but I have a hard time rooting for the girl who has every staring part in the past. I think I would have preferred some version of an adult who does the casting to make an announcement that Snow White is not predicated on appearance, or for Tameika to just give it her all in the audition and leave it at that, rather than of course this same girl gets another lead role.

[PH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for little kids. Teaches them talent matters the most. However, the book doesn't reinforce that skin color does not matter.
Protagonist is a little African American girl - who ends up getting lead role in Snow White play, due to her performance. But I wish the author had addressed the fact that snow white or in general a pretty girl can be brown or black and does not have to be white.