Girls Like

By Katrina Germein & Deb Hudson

Reviewed by Dimity Powell

Girls. Creatures unto themselves, unique, uncompromising, spirited. Well that’s exactly what they can and should be so depicted in this gratifyingly colourful celebration of what girls actually like. Turns out, there is almost no end to what girls like according to the fresh creative duo of Katrina Germein and Deb Hudson.

Girls Like is a joyful romp through an endearing neighbourhood of girls as they go about their day to day lives. Each spread addresses a particular generalised ‘like’, for example food. The thing is, with so many variations of our girls, food favourites vary dramatically, too. Thus, Green food, hot food, Queen food – what’s not to like!

Just as young females come in all shapes and sizes, so too do their predilections. How they wear their hair, what type of art they are drawn to, the nights they relish best, the tricks they attempt, the friends they keep. All are as unique and diverse as they are.

The complementary art work by Hudson is beating with life and movement, yummy texture and eye catching detail. Every girl is depicted in their own outrageously colourful garb. All interacting with each other in ways that would make members of the United Nations swoon. Fantasy? Not at all. Because the camaraderie and compassion (young) girls naturally display is merely reflecting what we all hope will continue into their adulthood.

Germein’s rthymic prose encourages lyrical anticipation and animated read aloud opportunties. Fact becomes fun which is then echoed in multi-perspective illustrations. So simple yet oozing with page turning compulsion.

We may not all ‘like’ the same things. Nor do we have to. But by embracing and understanding everyone’s individual inclinations and preferences, we ultimately enrich our own well being. And that is something hard to not like.

Girls Like is more than a celebration of what it is to be a girl, what it means to be a girl and how it feels to be a girl. It’s a rite of revelation and a reminder that differences make up the norm.

Girls and boys from kindy to primary will get a kick out of this especially in class room and interactive settings.

For ages: 3 – 7

MidnightSun Publishing 2026

Katrina Germein

Deb Hudson

Dimity Powell is an Australian author and reviewer whose books include Oswald Messweather, and At the End of Holyrood Lane. Her latest book is The Boy Who  Lost His Laugh.