Three best friends reunite at the skate park in this empathetic and empowering picture book by Srividhya Venkat (The Clever Tailor) and debut illustrator Kate Wadsworth.
In Girls on Wheels, three girls separately make their way to a park to meet up. Damini sneaks out early after finishing her chores, skateboarding "over bumps and potholes, whiz[zing] down the street." Sana, who wears a hijab and helmet, "glides against the wind." Anila, with a "once-broken arm," is driven to the park wondering if she's ready to skate again. When Anila arrives at the park, the "giant wave of concrete" that "looms like a sea monster" unnerves her, but her friends make her feel at home. As Damini and Sana soar on and fall off their boards, Anila stays seated. When a group of boys arrive and dare the girls to do the perfect drop-in, Anila hangs back. But Damini and Sana's faith in her, "like the cool sea breeze," blows away her doubts.
Venkat explains in her author's note that the book is inspired by the skateboarding revolution happening in India today. She skillfully uses short, lively lines of text and onomatopoeia to immerse readers in the action of the skate park. Wadsworth's dynamic mixed-media illustrations capture both minute, individual expressions and detailed scenery: eager Damini sneaks past a cow before skating by a food stall; compassionate Sana shares her parathas with puppies then skates past the bazaar; and trepidatious Anila stares down the ramp from the ledge. Venkat and Wadsworth's picture book is a lovely depiction of strong, supportive friendships, and girls being awesome. --Hadeal Salamah, blogger, librarian, freelance reviewer