Review of "You Can't Stop Me" by Allison Aller, Illustrated by Nadia Asfand Yar

Score: 95+/100 (9.5+ out of 10)

You Can't Stop Me is an outstanding illustrated/children's book by Allison Aller!
It is colorfully illustrated by Nadia Asfand Yar!

We don't think we've ever seen or read a book that celebrates women and girls better than You Can't Stop Me! Not only does this book celebrate the diversity, experiences, and accomplishments of women and girls, but it celebrates the diversity, experiences, and accomplishments of people in general.

There are examples of characters in here who are implied, stated, or shown to be disabled or living with a genetic disorder of some sort. There are also examples of characters in here from a variety of different races, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. For example, one of the characters (the therapist) appears to be Muslim based on her hijab. You could even make the argument that there's a hint of LGBT+ representation in here.

Anyway, this book takes the perspective that we're not defined by what people tell us, and we're not confined by what society tells us we should be (or how we should be). Women and girls, like men and boys, are as diverse as their number. While they may share some commonalities, they don't all have to be the same way, do the same things, work in the same jobs, and have the same careers.

They are not confined to be nurses and teachers. They are not confined to the home or childrearing.

Women and girls can become engineers, doctors, authors, lawyers, professional athletes, astronauts, and even president someday!

What's to stop them?

As this book constantly reminds us: "You can't stop me!"

This book is actually quite inspiring and motivational!

Women and girls also don't have to act or dress a certain way.

Stereotypes about women being hysterical, overreactive, bossy, crazy, or too loud are confronted in this book.

Not only is the concept of this book compelling, but the illustrations (by Nadia Asfand Yar) are also some of the best in this contest!

They're colorful, bright, and rather detailed—aspects which are almost always positive! We love how the illustrations in this book can tell us a lot about the characters without explicitly stating or describing things.

For example, the therapist—as we previously mentioned—is likely from a Muslim background based on her hijab. The character who starts her own clothing line clearly has Down syndrome based on the shape, size, and proportions of her head and limbs. The woman who becomes president is wheelchair bound, but so was FDR for much of his life. The construction worker and the soccer player are very likely lesbians based on how they hold and look at each other later in the book.

The genius who wins the debate competition is stouter, shorter, and what some would say "overweight." However, she's successful and happy just the way she is. This celebrates and puts forward the idea that people can be successful, happy, healthy, and accepted in all shapes and sizes.

Check it out on Amazon!