better role model than Elsa...

[bytheby]

Hi, I haven't watched lots of films with my 4 year old but can anyone recommend films (and books but we have less of a gap there) with a female lead that isn't ridiculously beautiful.

Ideally a character that loves to read!

I was excited about Encanto but rather than wanting to be the lead (Mirabel?) she wants to be the more conventionally beautiful sister Isabella!

I am sure it is just a phase and I am not overly worried but would like to stick her in front of some things that are a bit less princessy as she is more concerned with appearances than I would like.

I know that Elsa etc does have some good features it is just my DD's pre-occupation with beauty that is making me want to make sure there are some more normal/realistic looking people in the mix too.

Or should I just 'let it go?'

You could always do what I did and get a star wars swim bag with princess leia on it and keep pointing out for years that shes a leader in the resistance which explains my DDs current obsession

You'll enjoy this!

Tiny writing. It says, "I've lived long enough to see my childhood princesses become generals."

@MrsTerryPratchett

I was going to say Matilda but she sides with the surrendered woman (Miss Honey) and opposes Ms Trunchbull who is pretty much the textbook hardcore feminist.

I can’t tell if you’re joking. Ms Trunchbull locks children in cupboards full of nails and throws them out of windows. I’m not sure she’s the ideal role model!

The Borrowers
Alice in Wonderland
Mary Poppins
Five Children and It (the one with Eddie Izzard as the sand fairy).

DD has loved the series ‘Sofia the first’ on Disney. She’s a princess but she goes on adventures.

Tangled is good and moana. To be fair Elsa is pretty awesome especially in frozen two.

All Disney female characters are a certain type of 'pretty' (big eyes, tiny chin, flowing locks, tiny waist), it's their house style. And the Princess films are all about finding a prince so questionable for 4 years.

Expose your daughter to films from other studios and she'll get to see different asthetics. Agree with the Studio Ghibli recommendations, Kiki and My Neighbour Totoro are the favourites here but all the U and PG rated films are OK for a 4 yo.

Some older cartoons that haven't been mentioned yet but have great female characters include Hoodwinked (dated animation but great story) and The Wild Thornberries.

Another defence of Elsa: she has an entirely unconventional growth arc. It has nothing to do with romance and everything to do with fulfilling her potential. I love the contrast between ana and Elsa and how both of their trajectories are seen as equally valid in frozen 2
In terms of books: I think Ada twist scientist Rosie revere engineer etc are awesome
And Olivia and the fairy princesses is a subversive classic.
Remember that your daughter won’t necessarily only identify with female protagonists so stories where the main character is male may also resonate with or make more sense to her. Eg She may feel more ‘like’ Robin Hood rather than maid Marion. This doesn’t imply anything gender wise - just that kids are much more imaginative and flexible than we can be.