472 books
—
317 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Not Quite Snow White” as Want to Read:
Not Quite Snow White
by
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.
Get A Copy
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Not Quite Snow White,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Not Quite Snow White
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Not Quite Snow White
Jul 11, 2019
Abigail
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Readers Looking for Children's Stories Addressing Appearance, Body Image & Race
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
...more
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!
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!
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. ...more
This book should inspire confidence in being comfortable with yourself, and silencing the whispers, at least in your own head. ...more
Beautiful illustrations with a sweet message of self-love.
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 – ...more
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 – ...more
Loved the plot line and the illustrations. They were beautiful!
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 girl
...more
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 iss
...more
Sep 03, 2020
June
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
height, princess, racism and weight requests
Recommended to June by:
Goodreads
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, ...more
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, ...more
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! ...more
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! ...more
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.
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.
This is like am updated Amazing Grace but it incorporates body image instead of sexism (both still have the racism).
Adorable and the illustrations made it even better!
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 ...more
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 ...more
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
...more
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 ...more
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 ...more
Before we are even introduced to the idea of Tameika playing the role of a princess, and Snow White in particular, we’ve already come to believe her perfect for the role. A scene with her singing and dancing with birds, squirrel and bunny Is two page-turns in. The book opens with Tameika starting her day with song and dance—and she’s not even out of bed yet. She is a lover of music and movement and performing before “audiences (stuffed or unstuffed)”.
Just as lovely, Tameika uses her joy and con ...more
Just as lovely, Tameika uses her joy and con ...more
{Picture Book (Diversity)}
In Not Quite Snow White, we are introduced to a little girl named Tameika. She loves to sing, dance, and act like most little girls her age. Tameika also loves to make up dances to go along with her moods. She loves to sing and perform in front of her stuff animal audiences. She is a very talented and confident African American girl.
One day at school, Tamieka becomes excited when she finds out that her school is holding auditions for the Snow White play. She has alwa ...more
In Not Quite Snow White, we are introduced to a little girl named Tameika. She loves to sing, dance, and act like most little girls her age. Tameika also loves to make up dances to go along with her moods. She loves to sing and perform in front of her stuff animal audiences. She is a very talented and confident African American girl.
One day at school, Tamieka becomes excited when she finds out that her school is holding auditions for the Snow White play. She has alwa ...more
This book is about a young girl named, Tamika, who wanted to audition to be a princess in a play,” Snow white” to be exact. She overheard kids saying she is too tall, too brown, and too chubby to be a princess. She started thinking that maybe she is and wont make a good Snow White. Her parents assure her that she is just enough of all the right stuff to make a perfect princess. For her auditions she went in confident and ready. She loves herself as much as she loved music and movement. It turns
...more
Anyone who's ever auditioned for a play, especially a musical, knows how stressful and vulnerable it can make you feel. Tameika loves to sing, act, and dance. When the auditions for her school's production of Snow White are announced, she is so excited. She attends both days of the tryouts, but then overhears the unkind and hurtful words of some of the other children - she's too tall, too chubby, too brown to be cast as Snow White. These words have a huge impact on Tameika, and she becomes very
...more
“For Tameika, it was always the right time and place to dance and sing.”
Tameika loves the stage and has played many parts, but never a princess. So when she sees the auditions for Snow White: The Musical, she is excited to try out. But on the first day of auditions, Tameika hears the others kids whispering that “She’s too tall ... She’s much too chubby ... She’s too brown” to be Snow White. Tameika is devastated.
But at home, her parents give her the love and support she needs to see past the mea ...more
Tameika loves the stage and has played many parts, but never a princess. So when she sees the auditions for Snow White: The Musical, she is excited to try out. But on the first day of auditions, Tameika hears the others kids whispering that “She’s too tall ... She’s much too chubby ... She’s too brown” to be Snow White. Tameika is devastated.
But at home, her parents give her the love and support she needs to see past the mea ...more
This is a story about a young African American Girl names Tameika. She is a triple threat, being a dancer, singer, and performer. She is the star in so many plays, but as she grows up, she fears that her chubbier frame and darker skin will prevent her from carrying out her passions. The story is heartwarming and encouraging at the same time. The author, Ashley Franklin, addresses insecurities that a lot of people face. The artwork in this story is beautiful and uses a lot of bright colors that f
...more
Tameika loves to sing and dance. She loves taking part in her school plays, but when auditions for the role of Snow White begin she overhears her classmates questioning whether she is right for the role due to her height, body shape, and the color of her skin. After her parents restore her confidence, Tameika allows herself to shine and take on the role of princess.
I feel like this book should belong in every little girl's library (and perhaps boys too). It tackles the issue of how hurtful it i ...more
I feel like this book should belong in every little girl's library (and perhaps boys too). It tackles the issue of how hurtful it i ...more
A great story about a little girl who loves to sing and dance and perform. She experiences self-doubt when others comment on how she isn't built for the part of Snow White; she is too tall, too chubby, too brown. Luckily her parents have wise words at bedtime, and her confidence is returned enough for her to audition, and win the part.
I like how the concerns the little girl faces are ones real people face. But this implies a few quick words from your parents once is all you need to dismiss the ...more
I like how the concerns the little girl faces are ones real people face. But this implies a few quick words from your parents once is all you need to dismiss the ...more
I love this book! The engaging story and charming illustrations make it perfect to read just for fun. But it's also excellent for starting discussion with children as young as 4: talking through issues of being picked on, or to try to change those who are doing the picking. Discussing how our comments on others' bodies (weight, skin color) can be harmful and why we shouldn't do it. And discussions about race.
As a librarian, I want more books like this. Bravo to Ashley Franklin and Ebony Glenn fo ...more
As a librarian, I want more books like this. Bravo to Ashley Franklin and Ebony Glenn fo ...more
I love this book! It really teaches children that you can are enough to be and do whatever you want. Tameika started to let what the other children say get to here and it discouraged her a lot but, with the help of her parents she worked up the courage to do what she loved and didn’t let anybody stop her. This book is good for children of all ages because it teaches you that no matter how different you are you are enough. I think it would resonate with little girls more specifically little brown
...more
Diversity Selection for Children's Lit.
This is a wonderful story that follows a young African American girl as she pursues her dreams of being on the stage. After the first day of auditions, however, she overhears some classmates say that she's too tall, chubby, & brown for the role she wants. With the help of her parents, she realizes that she is "just enough of all the right stuff" and can do anything she sets her mind to. She learns that she can't allow her classmates' comments to cause her t ...more
This is a wonderful story that follows a young African American girl as she pursues her dreams of being on the stage. After the first day of auditions, however, she overhears some classmates say that she's too tall, chubby, & brown for the role she wants. With the help of her parents, she realizes that she is "just enough of all the right stuff" and can do anything she sets her mind to. She learns that she can't allow her classmates' comments to cause her t ...more
Cute, engaging, bright illustrations, and a fun protagonist. Could be an introduction to the idea of discrimination. The book mentions discrimination based on skin colour, height, and weight (though the character is not really depicted as being chubby in the illustrations, which makes me worry it might introduce that worry to kids who might not already be worrying about it). The discriminated against traits are very common, so this book would be best introduced after these things have already be
...more
There are people who say a white person can't relate to Pocahontas or Tiana of the Disney princesses because they are white. There are people who say a black person can't relate to Cinderella or Ariel because they are black (despite Cinderella already being portrayed by a young black female and Ariel scheduled to be portrayed by a young poc.)
Then there are those who say it doesn't matter what color you are; if you relate to a princess, you relate to them regardless of their color or race.
I lik ...more
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-CycleA gorgeous picture book centered on body image and positivity.The illustrations are absolutely fantastic. They wonderfully portrayed Tameika's movement and emotion. Adorable art style.The plot of the book was also well done. It is simple and entertaining enough that children would be interested in it, while still getting across an important message. I loved the emphasis on actions and skills over appearance. While Tameika may not look like the tra
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Articles featuring this book
Dhonielle Clayton is a YA author, a 2018 Goodreads Choice Award nominee, and the chief operating officer of We Need Diverse Books, a...
88 likes · 10 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
