When hunting for books for girls in these days of rampant feminism, it is especially important to choose books that help, not hinder their formation in femininity.
Confusion abounds about the feminine role and it carries over into children's literature.
I once came across a daughter's praise of her mother, who was a brilliant cook. A wonderful passage in the book Caddie Woodlawn sums it up so well. Caddie is a tomboy whose father tries to help her identify with her role as a woman. A woman's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness. It takes nerve and courage and patience, but good women have those things.