Strong is the New Pretty by Kate T. Parker
I am Sarah. I am thirteen years old and an avid reader; it is one of my favorite things to do. Inspired by the multitude of author’s creation of magnificent places and surprising havens built by simple letters, I aspire to be an author and, meanwhile, nurture the love to write.
Maya’s confidence. Ruby’s determination. Tatiana’s smile. Ava’s kindness. Tayla’s fearlessness. Daija’s trust. Ella’s independence. Mia’s creativity. Faith’s joy. All of these qualities are what make these girls strong, and their strength is what makes them beautiful.
Kate T. Parker’s catalog of gorgeous photos illustrates how being strong is much more than just surface beauty, how being a girl goes much deeper than just a pretty face. Through her photographs paired with the quotes from girls all over, from witty and humorous to simply insightful, Strong is the New Pretty clearly shows that real beauty isn’t about what you wear, or what you look like. It’s about being authentic to your true self and owning it. It’s about letting your hair down, about dancing in the fire hydrant, your face smeared with dirt. It’s about slapping war paint and smiles onto helmeted faces, about wrapping pointe shoes around blistered and calloused feet. It’s about never giving up, about doing what makes you happy no matter what. It’s about letting your strength and spirit out and being one hundred percent you. That’s what being a girl is.
As Jordan, 15, says, “Strength is putting all your heart, mind, and effort into what you believe in. Your beauty will shine from this.” And strength, and beauty, do shine through this celebration of girls everywhere.
